Crosswind-Crosswind (1978)

Crosswind was another of the most important Japanese jazz-rock bands, a natural competitor to others like the legendary Cassiopeia or Space Circus. However, Crosswind focused on atmospheric and progressive sounds with intricate compositions far removed from the funk-rock fusion of their contemporaries. Along with another highly popular band like Space Circus, Crosswind was fundamental in the evolution of Japanese rock. They bridged the gap between the era of hard rock and Japanese space rock, exemplified by bands like Flower Travelling Band or Far East Family, and the progressive hard-rock jazz sounds of Kenso or Ain Soph. Formed in the mid-seventies by the virtuoso guitarist Ginji Ogawa, who already had an extensive musical career in bands like Nezuma Kozo, Crosswind had earned a great reputation in the Japanese jazz scene. In 1976, Ogawa recruited bassist Kazou Kobayashi, drummer Souro Toru, and keyboardists Megumi Marou and Fumitaka Anzai, with whom he released his debut album, "Crosswind", two years later. On this first album, the band showcased the virtuosity of their guitarist and the duality of the two keyboardists alongside a powerful and dynamic rhythm section, as demonstrated in the tracks "Ari No Daiido" and "Crosswind", while a fusion influence is present in the relaxed "Neko To Kororin no Fushigina Tabi". On the other hand, the atmospheric and progressive side appears in the evocative "Ryuhyo" and "Yuyake". This first album was followed by “Crosswind II” (1979) and “Soshite Yume No Kumi E” (1982), after which the journey of this formidable band came to an end, with all its members going on to take part in independent projects.