NATIVE SON

The first supergroup to emerge from Japan's fusion scene. With experienced jazz players Takehiro Honda on keyboards and Kohsuke Mine on saxophone at its center, Native Son brings a fresh sensibility to light, mellow instrumentals. This debut in particular contains many catchy numbers that settle immediately into the ear. A4 sets saxophone singing over light, nimble guitar cutting, while B3, a hit through its use in a television commercial, moves at a brisk pace. Neither is inferior to a sung pop tune. Their next album, SAVANNA HOT-LINE, follows the same direction.