The liner notes are all in Japanese, and I suspect that side one & 2 of this double set was released as it is sometime either in the 70s or 60s. It is also better than the second disc, which has keyboards and has a late 70s vibe in its recording. Still, a remarkable document. I have heard songs or singles that is devoted to the Japanese market, but it's rare to listen to a whole album by a Western band dedicated to the Japanese songcraft and hits. The Ventures play their twang guitar sound, but it fits in perfectly with the Japanese melodies. Also, I must note that side one is all original songs by The Ventures focusing on a Japanese 60s pop sound. The rest of the double-album set are cover songs.
It took me years to find a vinyl version of this album, even in Japan, it's hard to find. I found this perfectly beautiful edition at Counterpoint Music and Books. It was the last thing I expected to see in a shop. The Ventures generally are not my favorite instrumental band. For instance, I prefer The Shadows, and I think it comes to the Jet Harris bass and the Hank Marvin guitar. Still, one has to acknowledge the importance of The Ventures, and the little-known knowledge that they had a massive impact on Japanese pop music and aesthetics. Before The Beatles, the other fab four, The Ventures, came and stole the hearts of future Japanese guitarists.
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