Om – Solar Wind

Featured in the “Ethnic” section of Chee Shimizu’s Obscure Sound disc guide, Solar Wind is the lone release from short-lived ’80s Japanese fusion band Om. Apparently inspired by ECM artist / Oregon guitarist Ralph Towner, the group presents an ethno jazz sound incorporating classical Indian instruments like tabla, sitar, and flute with fretless bass and guitar. The acoustic instruments give the songs a pure and crystalline but also incredibly vibrant sound that very much matches the illustration on the cover. For further listening, we also recommend Mu Project’s Asia Dream, which was released three years later by Om’s producer Ryoichi Kuniyoshi.

Recommended – A2 Samarkand, Full Listen