Kazumi Watanabe - The Spice of Life

A superb late-1980s jazz-fusion album from acclaimed Japanese guitarist Kazumi Watanabe, The Spice of Life pairs his virtuosic electric guitar work with an exceptional rhythm section featuring Bill Bruford on electronic and acoustic drums and Jeff Berlin on bass. The result is a technically dazzling but highly musical trio recording combining jazz improvisation, progressive rock energy and sophisticated composition.

The album features Watanabe originals “Melancho,” “Hiper K,” “City,” “Period,” “Unt,” “Na Starovia,” “Lim-Poo” and “J.F.K.” The stripped-down trio format gives all three musicians considerable space, highlighting Watanabe's fluid guitar technique alongside the distinctive playing of Bruford—known for his work with Yes and King Crimson—and fusion bass virtuoso Jeff Berlin.

Recorded and mixed in Tokyo in October 1986 and released internationally in 1987, The Spice of Life is an excellent example of the adventurous Japanese fusion scene of the era and an especially appealing record for collectors of guitar-driven jazz fusion and progressive music.