"Originally released in 1977 as a private press album, Planets showcases the refined playing and sophisticated compositions of one of Japan's leading pianists, Masaru Imada. In a fifty- plus year career he has released over 40 albums, including several that have won awards from some of Japan's leading music publications and has recorded with leading US jazz artists such as David Sanborn, Brecker Brothers, Steve Gadd, and Grover Washington Jr. Imada's Bosendorfer piano is joined by the drums of Tetsujiro Obara and the bass of Kunimitsu Inaba, augmented by Yuji Imamura on percussion. The opening title track on Planets is a wafer-thin modal waltz, beginning with gentle bells and shells, followed by Obara's deft brush work and Inaba's hypnotically pliant bass that gives a discrete yet steady support to the gossamer melody from Imada-san's piano. The other standout track is the suite, 'Sea's Pasture,' an epic piece that undulates and heaves, like the dark endless ocean, rich with mystery and each side of the album ends with a solo piece on the haunting Bosendorfer." - BBE

• private press 1977 Japanese modal jazz album reissued for the first time
  
• black vinyl pressing
• housed in deluxe gatefold jacket w/ obi strip + printed insert
• includes English translation of original liner notes + new interview w/ Masaru Imada
• featuring Masaru Imada (p), Kunimitsu Inaba (b), Tetsujiro Obara (d), Yuji Imamura (perc)
• original release year: 1977
• music label: BBE 2022