Masayoshi Takanaka: A Guitar Master
A lot of people know bands like Metallica or Bob Marley and the Wailers, but there’s one guitar star that not much people know about, at least in America. Masayoshi Takanaka is one of the most unique guitarists, with his funky-tropic feel in his songs really make him stand out from the crowd of music artists.
Takanaka was born in 1953 in Tokyo, Japan. He was the son of a Chinese immigrant father and a Japanese mother. When Takanaka was in fourth grade, he received full Japanese citizenship and changed his surname from Liu, to Takanaka which was a more Japanese name. He started playing professionally in 1971 at the age of 17 for a band called “Flied Egg”.
Quickly after the “Flied Egg” band collapsed in 1972, he joined “The Sadistic Mika Band” which ended up creating three albums. After the main singer of the band Mika Fukui left, The three other players continued the band and renamed it the band, “Sadistics.” After that band collapsed due to the members focusing more on their solo careers Takanaka released his first solo album, “Seychelles” in 1976.
Takanaka’s guitar style is a mix of jazz, jazz fusion, a lot of pop, and rock. Most of his songs are non-verbal, but still greatly showcase his feelings and style through his very upbeat, fast-paced guitar, making him very groovy and energetic. Meanwhile other songs like “Malibu” (released in 1977) are a little calmer with soft beach melodies, which express another side of Takanaka; chill and relaxed.
Currently, Takanaka has been producing more carefree and jazzy melodies, making his music good for listening anytime. Masayoshi Takanaka is one of the most unique and also under known guitarists of all time.