What on earth is this... I find myself looping it over and over in wonder; if I let my guard down, I’m either moved to tears or overcome with a sense of helplessness. The title—“Jazz Rock Koto / Japanese Folk Songs”—says it all, doesn’t it? Thanks to MR BONGO’s meticulous reissue, the liner notes on the inner sleeve describe this album as “a unique entry in the easy-listening genre.” Since it was treated that way even back then, it must sound incredibly exotic to foreign listeners. Even for us, listening to this in 2020—after everything we’ve been through—made me chuckle at first, but later brought me to tears. No matter what anyone says, what remains are the beautiful melodies of this wonderful Japanese folklore. As I listened further, around “Kaigara-bushi” on Side B, a wave of emotion welled up inside me… In short, there’s only one word to describe it: “Beautiful” music. (Original Japanese text by Shhhhh)