Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalos : Dynamic Latin Exotic Sound

Where the heat of Latin music, the spontaneity of jazz, and the drive of rock collide. A truly unique jazz-rock album that embraces a rich spectrum of musical influences.

Rooted in the indigenous rhythms of Latin America, from Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, and Puerto Rico, these grooves are boldly reimagined by Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalos alongside Naoya Matsuoka, a pioneering force in Latin fusion. Throughout the album, a distinctly Japanese musical sensibility shines through, freely crossing over and transforming Latin beats with remarkable creativity.

The opening track, “Taboo”, makes an immediate impact with its deep, low-slung bass line and overdriven guitar. On “O Barquinho”, Hammond organ and tenor saxophone intertwine in a vibrant dialogue, while “Watermelon Man” generates a singular groove through fuzz- and wah-infused guitar work. Meanwhile, “Historia de un Amor” is anchored by a lyrical piano melody and the steady pulse of cowbell-driven rhythms. Through Matsuoka’s diverse and imaginative arrangements, Latin beats continuously shift and evolve, revealing new colours and textures like a musical kaleidoscope.

Text by Kenjiro Tsutsumi (223 Music Lab)