Kumano

I know Randy Kumano, although I haven't seen him now in years, but yes he is the same person working in films in Ontario. He was a childhood friend of my oldest brother, who past away in 1975. Randy spent years trying to find him as an adult, but then he found me, and I visited him at his apartment in Toronto. We stayed in touch for a few years, but then lost touch, and I haven't seen him now in over a decade. Randy did the album Kumano and now works in the film industry which is what he was already doing when we met.

cheers.

Any album that creates a buzz, is worth hunting down. KUMANO was a good album, had some quality to it, I played I'LL CRY FOR YOU along with all the other PRELUDE 136 BPM material that was out then. There was a lot! Easy mixing, impressive results on the dance floor. While never to be confused as a DISCO CLASSIC, it could be a "hidden gem"! On my scale from 1-10, this album gets an 8.

ANGEL EYES is, for me, a real discovery in the unknown ballads of the early 80's while I'LL CRY FOR YOU could have been a real disco hit, belonging to the Prelude catalogue. Great percussion and infectious melodic line make I'LL CRY FOR YOU a not-to-be-missed track.
Can't remember about the other tracks but I did care for this album while working as a disco dee-jay here back in the unforgettable early 80s.

Does anybody know how to get in touch with Randy? Great sound and grove!

Get used to the voice and it's a great album. 5 solid tracks that grows on you..

I'm not a very big fan of the other tracks on the album (which are decent but not totally to my taste), but "You got it" is a killer! And worth getting the LP for. There's a killer bassline and neverending percussion that are totally entrancing. The desperate sounding voices-both lead male and background female-all work towards making this a very effective emotional but fast-paced track. Just for this track, the LP is a must-have...

I haven't heard the album, but I know the 12" well. To that degree, I understand the opinion of Bernie and the readers.

The real deal on "I'll Cry for You" is this: it is a "big-sounding," glittery production from 1980 by a competent (but no better) blue-eyed soul singer. An exciting introduction - the kind that your light man will relish- washes into a breakdown that promises a better record than actually follows.

Part of the problem is the gloomy lyrics, which don't quite match coke-headed production yet aren't sung with the irony that needed to arbitrate the issue.

Also, this record was released after disco had begun to wane. It would have been a bigger hit a year earlier, but must have sounded slightly musty upon release. Still, I bet it was big in the gay clubs.It's worth buying today if you're looking a sequined skeleton of a record that you can play until its second instrumental breakdown, about three minutes in...then...ONWARD!

I've got to agree with DJ Disco balls on this one. Apart from the slow "Angel eyes" I really like this album. Especially both tracks on side 1. Quite a unique sound and while not the best vocals in town the production is excellent and the tunes really grow on you. I remember them being played to death in the New York clubs at the time of release. Well worth hunting down. Shame there was never a follow up.

I know there is a Randy Kumano who has been doing a lot of film production work in Ontario. This may be him (how many Randy Kumano's could there be?). If you google his name you will see a lot of listings. Maybe someone in the Canadian film industry would know.

As for the review of the Kumano album, I have to strongly disagree! The first side is very special with a unique sound. It's hard to find and expensive when you do, but I think it's worth it.

DJ Disco Balls