Rokukai Funky and greasy, slick and cool, the lone release from multi-instrumentalist James Mason is a defining album of what some call rare groove. Original presses number less than a thousand. Mason rarely was heard on record again. It's only available in the USA as an import CD (last I checked, which was years ago). That's right, it's obscure folks!

Mason's real claim to fame is his guitar on Roy Ayers 1977 club hit "Runnin' Away". "Rhythm of Life" continues in the same club vein (but NOT disco). A few of these songs are considered acid jazz classics (Sweet Power of Your Embrace, Slick City, the title track) and the project flows gracefully. Vocalist Clarice Taylor bears a forceful presence on many tracks, and Mason uses an incredible variety of instruments to create a breezy, spacey, and funky atmosphere.

I'm not too familiar with contemporary jazz, but this album sounds like THE precursor to the acid jazz movement. If the Brand New Heavies were better and around in the late seventies, this is what they would sound like. If that sounds like your taste, you'll love this album. Otherwise, because of it's obscurity, pick it up at any opportunity. I was lucky and had a buddy spring for a sixty dollar import. I'm stuck with a ripped copy and liner notes I scanned. But hey, I'll take it if it's the only way I can feel the "Sweet Power of Your Embrace" and travel to "Slick City"