Review: In the late 1970s Japanese jazz guitarist Ryo Kawasaki recorded a string of great albums - many of which were originally only released in his home country - before embracing the potential of drum machines and synthesisers in the early 1980s. Amongst his most potent sets of the 70s was Prism, an inventive and wildly freewheeling fusion and jazz-funk excursion. As this reissue proves, it remains a genuine gem, with Kawasaki showcasing his incredible versatility across a range of tracks that variously doff a cap to slow-motion blues ('Bridge Sun'), Blaxploitation soundtrack funk ('Nogi'), high-tempo free-jazz ('Agana'), synth-laden jazz-funk ('Phil'), laidback fusion jams ('Sweet Tears'), and solo experiments ('Bridge Star').
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