Kimiko Kasai with Herbie Hancock Butterfly

Welcome reissue of the wonderful and very rare 1979 ‘Butterfly’ LP by Japanese songstress Kimiko Kasai and jazz legend Herbie Hancock. Due to its Japan-only release, this exquisitely-crafted collection of covers never got the recognition it deserved at the time despite inspired performances from Kimiko herself as well as the supremely talented band of musicians Hancock united for the project, including master drummer Alphonse Mouzon and renowned organist Webster Lewis. The LP opens with Kimiko’s highly desirable version of ‘I Thought It Was You’, a beautifully cool and elegant take on Hancock’s own jazz-funk anthem. Followed by other superb workings of Hancock-penned cuts such as the delicately soulful ‘Butterfly’, jazzy groover ‘Sunlight’, the smooth and sexy ‘Tell Me A Bedtime Story’ as well as a fantastic version of Stevie Wonder’s ‘As’ amongst others. A beautiful example of perfectly understated and masterful jazz-funk soul fusion that shouldn’t be missed!