MILK TIME

This is Hiro Yanagida's debut released in 1970 out of Japan. He would release three more studio albums and a compilation recording all in the early seventies. He was the keyboardist for FOOD BRAIN's only release also in 1970, as well as the keyboardist for LOVE LIVE LIFE + ONE who released one album in 1971. Here Hiro continues with the keyboards playing organ and harpsichord while five others add guitar, drums, bass, flute and violin. I would describe the music as psychedelic at it's base but folky and jazzy too and it's all instrumental. Hit and miss for me to be honest but an enjoyable listen but certainly not a 4 star record in my musical world.

The album cover makes me smile but it was the title of the album that brought back some memories I had forgotten about. Back in the late sixties and yes 1970 the year this was released I was in elementary school and at lunch time the teacher at one point would yell "Milk time!" and those of us who had parents who paid for this would get chocolate or white. I never got white. Half the songs are short pieces plus we get two long ones here just under 9 minutes and of course it's the two long ones where we get some substance. There is a drum solo late on "Running Shirts" and the other lengthy track "Fingers Of A Red Typewriter" is quite jazzy even the guitar style and walking bass.

I have a lot of keepers from Japan but this one just doesn't click with me enough to go 4 stars. Talented man though.