Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 66 - A Memoir of the Musicians I Have Encountered

Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal - The Sudden Salsa Edition!

In the previous installment, I introduced a musician I had interviewed for a news program. This time, I had planned to do the same, but due to the response to the last salsa topic, I decided to continue with another salsa feature.
Last time, I featured Yoshio Suzuki from the Japanese salsa band Orquesta De La Luz. This time, I will introduce a legendary band that has been at the forefront of the Japanese salsa scene for decades—Orquesta Del Sol. While De La Luz is an amazing band, Orquesta Del Sol is an even more formidable force.
Formed in 1978, Orquesta Del Sol was Japan’s first-ever salsa band. The group was founded by percussionists Pecker and Kimchi Kimura, pianist Ken Morimura, and bassist Getao Takahashi. In 1981, they made their record debut with the album Rainbow Love. At that time, salsa music was barely recognized in Japan, and very few people could accurately describe what it was.
Orquesta Del Sol was a pioneering band that opened the doors to salsa music in Japan and propelled its growth.

What is Salsa?

Salsa is said to have evolved from Cuban music styles such as son, rumba, and mambo. In the 1960s, Puerto Ricans and Cubans living in New York blended it with various other genres such as rock, jazz, and soul, refining the sound into what we now recognize as salsa. One of its defining characteristics is the montuno, a repetitive riff played on the piano that drives the groove, creating the unique feel of salsa music.

Orquesta Del Sol’s French Horn Player, Tamasa Yuki

One of my senior colleagues at the broadcasting station where I work is Tamasa Yuki, a French horn player for Orquesta Del Sol. His real name is Masayuki Furuta, and his nickname, ‘Tamasa Yuki’, was likely derived by dropping the ‘Furu’ from his surname (though I never asked for confirmation). I think it’s a brilliant name choice! Furuta-san is a graduate of a prestigious music university.
I once attended a chamber music concert in Shizuoka with a fellow announcer. Furuta-san performed classical pieces on the French horn, dressed in formal attire befitting the occasion.
Salsa music heavily features brass instruments, and Orquesta Del Sol has a powerful horn section that includes trumpets, trombones, and French horns. While French horns are rare in jazz or Latin bands, listening to Orquesta Del Sol makes it clear how effectively this instrument contributes to their sound.
After the concert, I went out for drinks with Furuta-san in downtown Shizuoka. Though he has a reserved side, he is also incredibly fun to be around. We had lively conversations, blending Japanese and English, cracking jokes back and forth. We even interacted with the restaurant staff in the same manner, which might have led them to think we were foreigners!

Orquesta Del Sol’s Pianist – Ken Morimura!

Orquesta Del Sol features an outstanding pianist, Ken Morimura. Following the passing of the legendary Latin pianist Naoya Matsuoka, Morimura has become Japan’s leading Latin pianist. His incredible skills can be heard throughout Orquesta Del Sol’s albums.
I used to practice salsa piano by reading Morimura-san’s instructional columns in Keyboard Magazine. One passage that stuck with me was when he wrote: “Matsuoka-san’s hands are not larger than mine, yet he could play the way he did. That thought always encourages me.”

■ Recommended Album: Orquesta Del Sol - Rainbow Love (1981)

Orquesta Del Sol’s landmark debut album. It is no exaggeration to say that this release kickstarted Japan’s salsa movement. From this point on, salsa gained unstoppable momentum and became a mainstream genre. The album encapsulates the sheer energy of a band breaking new ground.

Recommended Song: “Rainbow Love”

The song features percussionist Pecker on vocals. The chorus, driven by a montuno piano riff, has a call-and-response section: “Rainbow Love / The journey of the heart / Rainbow Love / A shining future...”
Listening to it now, it feels almost prophetic in foreseeing the bright future of salsa in Japan.

■ Recommended Album: Orquesta Del Sol - Harajuku Live (1982)

Harajuku Live (Vinyl Edition)

Harajuku Live (CD Edition)

A legendary live album capturing the raw energy of Orquesta Del Sol. I bought the vinyl when it was released for around ¥2000, and it has remained one of my all-time favorite records. The intense groove and passion of their live performance at the Harajuku live venue Crocodile are perfectly preserved on this album. For a band like Orquesta Del Sol, a live recording is the best way to experience their energy. Their rhythm and interplay are at a whole different level in a live setting.
I personally witnessed this magic when I visited Crocodile, where Orquesta Del Sol delivered an electrifying performance. The unstoppable salsa rhythm sent shivers down my spine. Percussionist Kimchi Kimura’s güiro playing was especially powerful, proving to be a key element of the band’s sound. During a break, Kimura-san even taught me how to play the güiro! At first, I thought it was simply an instrument you scrape, but he explained that you don’t just scrape it—you strike it and then scrape. This technique is what creates the infectious salsa groove.
The band’s main vocalist is Tyrone Hashimoto, but many others, including Kimura, Pecker, and more, contribute vocals. The combination of layered voices, Morimura’s montuno piano on his Yamaha CP-70 Electric Grand, Getao Takahashi’s bass, and multiple percussionists all fuse into a mighty groove unlike anything else. This live album is simply phenomenal. I highly recommend giving it a listen!
In 1990, Harajuku Live was reissued on CD with bonus tracks. Interestingly, the five extra songs included were the same ones I had received from Furu-san on a cassette tape years earlier. These tracks were recorded at a studio in the Southern Alps.

Recommended Song: “Timbalero”

A song dedicated to the timbales percussionist. The chorus is particularly beautiful and memorable.

Recommended Song: “Cantando Viviré”

Featuring a powerful montuno piano section by Ken Morimura! The layered chorus vocals, beautiful salsa-inspired melodies, brass ensemble, and percussion all blend seamlessly, creating an intense groove that only this band can deliver. A must-listen!

■ Musicians, Albums, Recommended Tracks, and Instruments Featured in This Article

• Musicians: Orquesta del Sol, Tamasa Yuki, Ken Morimura, Kimchi Kimura, Getao Takahashi, and others
• Albums: Rainbow Love, Harajuku Live
• Tracks: “Rainbow Love”, “Timbalero”, “Cantando Viviré”
• Instruments: French horn, güiro, acoustic piano, Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano, and others

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