Spotlight On: Murasaki

George Higa was born to a Hawaiian father and Okinawan mother on January 26, 1949 in Okinawa City (known then as Koza). When he was eight, he took piano lessons, first with Okinawan teachers and later at the Ryukyu Classical Academy on an American base.

In 1968, George attended UCLA where he majored in math and computer science and minored in music. But the Vietnam War caused turmoil among the students, including George. He agonized over the war and finally decided to leave UCLA and return to Okinawa where he could use music to work for peace and love.

After working with several bands, George formed his own rock band, Murasaki, in 1970. Members included George (keyboards), Toshio Shiroma (bass) and his twin brother Masao (vocals), Kiyomasa Higa (guitar), Yukio Shimoj (guitar), and Eiichi Miyanaga (drummer).

The name Murasaki, which means purple, was inspired in part by Deep Purple, who George greatly respected, and by a Chinese ideogram (紫) that George created. George liked the character's symmetry and that it was the color of nobility during the Ryukyu Kingdom period. When he suggested the name, the band unanimously approved. He then also changed his name to George Murasaki.

At the time, Okinawa was the staging area for the Vietnam War. B52s repeatedly took off from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, which was then under U.S. administration. The base had also always been a center of music. Prior to the Vietnam war, servicemen listened to jazz and dance music. Now they craved rock and roll, and Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple in particular. The servicemen frequented the towns surrounding the bases, and in the evenings attended clubs where Okinawan musicians began playing hard rock along with R&B.

The concerts were more than just stage shows for enjoyment; the musicians put their heart and soul into their performances for the servicemen who had no guarantee they would return from the war. The bands played seriously and to the best of their abilities, as the atmosphere and tension was so intense that if the band did not play at full power, beer bottles and stones would be thrown at them.

The influence of Western music on mainstream Okinawan music created a very different style of music from that of mainland Japan. This movement became known as Okinawan Rock. Based on Murasaki’s reputation, Japanese record companies came to Okinawa, and in 1976 the band signed a recording contract with Bourbon Records. They released two albums -- Murasaki and Impact -- which easily broke Japanese sales records.

Murasaki disbanded in 1978, but George Murasaki remains active in many areas, including occasionally reforming Muraski.

Album reviews:

It's been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. At the onset of this blog, I told you that Deep Purple is my favorite band. So I can think of no higher praise than to say that Murasaki compares in almost every way to the best of Deep Purple. Throughout the songs on both albums you'll hear solos and leads that mimic the sound and style of Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord, while the rhythm section is every bit as dynamic and pounding as Roger Glover and Ian Paice. Every song could easily have been recorded by Deep Purple and fit in quite well on In Rock, Machine Head, Fireball, and even Burn.

The production on both albums is very good for a mid-70s recording. The bass, drums, and rhythm guitar maintain a solid, slightly underlying presence throughout, while the vocals and solo guitars and keyboards are out front just enough to add a little extra pop and clarity.

While the comparison to Deep Purple is immediate and apparent, there are two major differences between the bands. First, Murasaki is a six piece band (there's a second guitarist). The band managed the additional instrument as deftly as Iron Maiden incorporated a third guitarist. The sound is richer and fuller, with a distinctive, yet complimentary, variation in style in the guitar solos. Second, the singer is no Ian Gillan. The vocals are mid-range and there are no screams or shrieks, but this is a good thing in that it helps separate the band from being a Deep Purple clone or tribute band. However (and here's my only negative comment), the vocals are not nearly as impressive as the rest of the band. Don't get me wrong... he's good; he's just not great.

Bottom line, if you're a fan of classic MKII Deep Purple, you should check out these albums. Musically and stylistically, they'll transport you to the early 70s, and much like DP MKII, leave you wanting more.

Overall and individual song ratings:
Murasaki (86.71)
1. Double Dealing Woman - 6
2. Devil Woman -6
3. Rock and Roll Nightmare - 4
4. Lazy - 3
5. Do What You Want - 4
6. Maze - 3
7. Far Away - 4

Impact (91.52)
1. Doomsday - 6
2. Fly Me Away (From Here) - 6
3. Let Me Go - 5
4. On Wings of Love - 4
5. Mother Nature's Plight - 4
6. Take You For A Ride - 4
7. Just A Rock 'N Roll Band - 3
 

Ratings Key:
0 - Hate It
1 - Dislike It
2 - It's Ok
3 - Like It
4 - Like It A Lot
5 - Love It
6 - Desert Island Song