Biography
Masayoshi Takanaka, born March 27, 1953, in Tokyo, Japan, is a virtuosic guitarist, composer, and producer who has shaped the landscape of Japanese music over more than five decades. Beginning his professional career in 1971 when he joined the progressive rock band Flied Egg, Takanaka initially played bass before transitioning to guitar under the mentorship of Narumo, who provided daily lessons in music theory and guitar technique. His early work with the Sadistic Mika Band (1972-1975) and The Sadistics (1976-1978) established him as an innovative force in Japanese rock and jazz fusion, blending complex arrangements across hard rock, jazz, and progressive rock genres.
Takanaka's solo career flourished in the late 1970s, coinciding with the rise of city pop, a genre that perfectly matched his distinctive style of combining jazz, funk, rock, and Latin influences. His debut solo album, Seychelles (1976), marked the beginning of his journey as a solo artist, followed by landmark releases including Takanaka (1977), An Insatiable High (1977), Brasilian Skies (1978), Jolly Jive (1979), and the iconic Blue Lagoon (1979), which became a staple of city pop and was recognized by Young Guitar Magazine as one of the best guitar instrumentals of all time. His signature sound—characterized by cheerful, melodic guitar lines wrapped in tropical vibes and feel-good aesthetics—resonated deeply with Japanese youth, particularly those influenced by the 1970s surfer movement.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Takanaka continued to evolve artistically, releasing albums such as Traumatic - Far Eastern Detectives (1985), Jungle Jane (1986), and Fade to Blue (1992), while exploring new styles from contemporary jazz to electronic music. In 2000, he established his own record label, Lagoon Records, granting him complete artistic control and enabling continued experimentation into the new millennium with albums like Guitar Wonder (1996) and The Moon Rose (2002). His influence extends beyond his own prolific discography—his music has been sampled by contemporary artists like Grimes, and his work has found new audiences through its influence on video game soundtracks and modern media, cementing his legacy as a pioneering figure in jazz fusion and city pop.
Fun Facts
- Despite wanting to play guitar from the start, Takanaka was initially assigned to play bass in Flied Egg against his will, but he embraced the role wholeheartedly and took formal lessons to master the instrument before eventually transitioning to his preferred guitar.
- His album 'Brasilian Skies' (1978) includes a cover of 'Star Wars Samba' that has an Easter egg feature on Spotify—playing the track turns your Spotify player into a lightsaber.
- Takanaka's concept album 'The Rainbow Goblins' (1981) was inspired by and adapted from a 1977 book of the same name, representing the zenith of his instrumental storytelling abilities with vibrant artwork and psychedelic yes fusion music.
- His music became particularly popular among Japanese youth during the 1978 surfer movement inspired by the film 'Big Wednesday,' with his tropical vibes and laid-back rebellious spirit perfectly capturing the era's aesthetic.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Narumo - Primary music mentor who provided foundational training in music theory and guitar technique through daily lessons (Foundation for Takanaka's later compositional and performance style) [Early 1970s]
Key Collaborators
- Sadistic Mika Band - Member and guitarist in this progressive rock group known for complex arrangements blending hard rock, jazz, and progressive rock (Band recordings and performances) [1972-1975]
- The Sadistics - Co-founder and guitarist in this group formed with former members of Sadistic Mika Band (Band recordings and performances) [1976-1978]
- Takahashi Kaneshiro (YMO) - Drummer in Sadistic Mika Band who worked alongside Takanaka (Sadistic Mika Band recordings) [1972-1975]
- Santana - International collaboration with legendary rock band (Collaborative projects) [1980s-1990s]
- Roxy Music - International collaboration with British art rock band (Collaborative projects) [1980s-1990s]
Artists Influenced
- Grimes - Canadian artist who sampled Takanaka's work in modern productions (Sampled 'Penguin Dancer Butterfly' (1981 track)) [2010s-present]
- Video game composers - Takanaka's jazz fusion style influenced the soundtracks of legendary video games including Mario and Kirby (Various video game soundtracks) [1980s-1990s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| SEYCHELLES | 1976 | Album |
| BRASILIAN SKIES | 1978 | Album |
| AN INSATIABLE HIGH | 1977 | Album |
| オン・ギター | 1994-06-25 | Album |
| TAKANAKA | 1977 | Album |
| 虹伝説～THE RAINBOW GOBLINS～ | 1981 | Album |
| TAKANAKA ALL TIME SUPER BEST | 2022-01-12 | Album |
| ALONE | 1981 | Album |
| SAUDADE | 1982 | Album |
| JOLLY JIVE | 1979 | Album |
| CAN I SING? | 1983-10-05 | Album |
| T－WAVE | 1980 | Album |
| TAKANAKA ALL TIME SUPER BEST～SELECTION | 2022-01-12 | Album |
| 夏・全・開 | 1984 | Album |
| OCEAN BREEZE | 1982-06-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- トーキョーレギー (SEYCHELLES)
- OH! TENGO SUERTE (SEYCHELLES)
- BRASILIAN SKIES (BRASILIAN SKIES)
- BELEZA PULA (BRASILIAN SKIES)
- BREEZIN' (オン・ギター)
- 憧れのセーシェル諸島 (SEYCHELLES)
- E. S. P. (AN INSATIABLE HIGH)
- SEXY DANCE (AN INSATIABLE HIGH)
- 蜃気楼の島へ (SEYCHELLES)
- SWEET AGNES (TAKANAKA)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Masayoshi Takanaka has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18, 2025 | 07:50 | BREEZIN'from On Guitar | The Morning Setw/ Fox Duhon or Mark LaMaire |