Makoto Kubota / ON THE BORDER (LP)

A musical pilgrimage by Makoto Kubota, featuring Woodstock, New Orleans, and the Cajuns. This masterpiece from 2000, featuring Levon Helm and Garth Hudson, is finally available on vinyl.

Since his solo release of "Machibouke" in 1973, "ON THE BORDER," released a year after his collaboration with Haruomi Hosono as part of the duo "Harry and Mac," has finally been released on vinyl.

This album is a road movie-like work by Makoto Kubota, an original traveler who recorded in three places during her 2000 trip: Woodstock, New Orleans, and Cajun, incorporating local sounds into swamp and country sounds. It also features American rock heavyweights such as Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, and John Sebastian, who also participated in Harry and Mac's "Road to Louisiana."

This long-awaited reissue of this masterpiece album features Kubota Makoto's expansive singing voice that seems to soar high into the sky and the wonderful sound of the instruments.

*Due to recording time limitations on the record, the three songs "Blessing," "Oaxaca," and "Rain On The Border," which are included on the CD/digital release, have been cut from this album.

・Makoto Kubota

He began his career as a member of the band Les Rallizes Dénudés in 1970. In 1973, he released his solo album "Machibouke" on Toshiba EMI, and subsequently released numerous albums with the Yuyake Gakudan band. He also performed energetically in live shows, including as the opening act for Eric Clapton's first national tour in Japan.

As a producer, he has produced for many artists, including his duo "Harry and Mac" with Haruomi Hosono, Shokichi Kina & Champloose, Sunsetz, Blue Asia, Dick Lee, The BOOM, Mariko Hamada, and Yuji Hamaguchi. He has also recorded numerous Japanese folk music pieces, including those from southern islands like Miyakojima, Amakusa, Gujo, and Goshu Ondo. He wrote the original story, performed in, and edited the sound for "Sketches of Miyako," a documentary film focusing on Miyakojima's sacred songs. The film, which debuted nationwide in 2012, attracted approximately 30,000 viewers. He also produced the soundtrack for Katsuhiro Otomo's anime short film "Kayojin" (Fireworks). In 2023, he will be providing the music for the "AKIRA Cel Animation Exhibition." His diverse activities include writing for the Iwanami Shinsho book "Visiting the Sounds of the World," producing TV commercials, DJing and lecturing, planning and producing concerts and events, and selecting music for radio programs.

Songs included

Side A

1. Occapella

2. Gator Point of View

3. Bon Temps Rouler

4. Magic Hotel Incident

5. Distant Wish

6. Marrano

Side B

1. Waimanalo Blues

2. Mezcal

3. I Can See Clearly Now

4. DSUK

5. Me & Bobby McGee

6. Akubi

7. Long Gone Lonesome Blues

Watch it here

Product information

[LP]

Product code: TBV-0055

Released by BEAMS RECORDS / Tuff Beats

Release date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024