Liner Notes from Hiroki Inui's "THE MUSIC FROM LAYZNER"

Back with some more liner note translations.

This one had actually been translated since May of this year, though I had chosen not to post it immediately since I wanted to wait first until I could get new scans of this album.

They were just finished recently, so I decided now would be a good time to finally put these up.
(Slightly unrelated—I actually have some liner notes translated from some other OSTs... they were translated around the same time that Layzner's notes were worked on, but I'm unsure when I'll be putting up here).

Having said that—the liner notes for this album were written up by Tatsuo Oba, who had previously been the producer/director on various other Starchild albums. He talks a little bit about the music's production before providing some descriptions for each track on the album.

Translation provided by OverworkedSalaryman (@osalaryman on Twitter).

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"The Music From LAYZNER" has an ethnic sound!

The Layzner project was born on a Saturday early in the afternoon—four to five days after talks with Inui over pizza and beer at the end of June, near the live house Ruido in Shinjuku. You likely already know "The Music Of VOTOMS" and this album can be considered a sequel to it.

In performance, a "One Night Stand Band" is the name for an ad-hoc one night band of musicians created at live houses and the like.

This time, aside from guitarist Toru Aoyama, drummer Yuichi Togashiki and bassist Akira Okazawa were added as new members—and they all put on a splendid performance. Whatever the case, they are all first-rate musicians, and if you listen to it, you'll hard agree on the members.

Also, when it comes to composing, editing and his performance on the keyboard, Inui—who demonstrated his abilities on an unregrettable level—is a big shot who graduated from the music science faculty of Tokyo's University of the Arts because he has a kind look in his eyes and is someone I hold very dear to me. While Inui was busy composing and editing for NHK's Minna no Uta and Okaa-san to Issho, he flew to Nepal when he found the time for it and planned the compositions while gazing at Mount Everest. This album was made using both Layzner's BGM as a motif while incorporating these experiences of his as well.

● Side 1

1) Blue Diamond
This piece, which starts off with a piano solo, is a light-hearted one that fits very well as the album's opening piece. The title, "Blue Diamond", is the name of the hotel that Inui frequented while residing in Kathmandu.

2) Prithvi Highway
It starts with a unique, oriental motif. That sound in the intro and midway through that sounds like a percussive instrument was made using a synthesizer. Additionally, the melody in the middle segment which sounds like a synthy merry-go-round was made by sampling a bicycle bell. The title is the name of the highway going from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

3) Capriccio
"Capriccio" doesn't refer to the name of the cake shop in Roppongi. In music terms, it refers to a "Kisoukyoku" (a short, cheerful and whimsical piano piece). Inui's piano solo was really solid.

4) Contemplation
To be deep in thought. The straightforward start to the piece, followed by bassist Akira Okazawa's solo & continued by Aoyama's guitar solo, steadily builds up then fades out. The finger cymbal that clings during the piece belongs to Inui and was made in Nepal with an Adamski UFO shape.

● Side 2

1) Last-Minutes
The final moment. The executioners platform. It's a jazz-like piece that starts with a thrilling drum solo with a drum solo wedge in the middle of the song, fitting perfectly with the performance. It's a piece I'd really want to listen to in a live house.

2) Walk Upstream
It means to walk against the flow. I wonder if the melody came to them while they were trekking along the base of Everest. In the BGM, this should have been M-29.

3) Night Owl
One who remains awake long after dark. While everyone is silently asleep, at night is the best time to be making a song. Even tonight, Inui is likely facing his Fender Rose (Electric Piano) and continuing to produce some splendid music.

4) Capriccio II
In the BGM, it is used a lot in the main show as EM-11—but unfortunately, it wasn't recorded in the LP. For this album, all the string instrument sounds were created with a synthesizer.

5) Orchid
This refers to the orchid flower. Whenever Inui goes to Nepal, the Thai Airline he frequently uses has an inflight service called the Royal Orchid Service—passengers are all given an orchid as a present. If you put it in a cup of water at the hotel, it will continue to bloom on. I hope this album continues to become one of your favorite pieces from here on out...


- 1986.6.22 (T. OBA)