Real Fish – A Very Big Band in Heaven

A peculiar and quite whimsical record from the ’80s, A Very Big Band in Heaven is the debut full-length from Japanese art-pop band Real Fish, a project from genius composer / multi-instrumentalist Seiji Toda. The 16-tracks here run the gamut from vaudeville jazz to show tunes to YMO-esque techno-pop to ambient  folk to mellow instrumental rock featuring an assortment of instruments including upright and fretless bass, clarinet, cello, mandolin, ukulele, marimba, ukulele, accordion, and various electronics. The group is described in the liner notes as “mischievous” with a “humorous yet serious atmosphere, where everyone was free to understand their individuality,” and that comes across through the tongue-in-cheek melodies and arrangements as well as the track titles which include “Sir Cock,”  “Size of Love,” and “A Man of Great Physical Strength.” The final track on the album “Big Company in America” might be our favorite, and sounds a bit like an amateur pop rock band you’d hear in a bar lounge (but in the best way). Highly recommended for fans of Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Yasuaki Shimizu’s Mariah, World Standard, Mio Fou, Shi-Shonen.

Recommended – Full Listen