World of Echo Releases Naoki Zushi’s IV on Double Vinyl and Digital Formats

World of Echo has announced the reissue of Naoki Zushi’s album IV, set for release on October 18, 2024. This reissue marks the beginning of a series dedicated to Zushi’s work. Originally released in 2018 on CD by Shinji Shibayama through the Org label, IV will now be available in a limited edition double vinyl format, with only 500 copies, as well as in digital form.

Title: IV
Artist: Naoki Zushi
Release Date: 2024-10-18
Genres: Psych-folk, Psychedelic Rock
Label: Org Music
Description: Naoki Zushi’s IV is reissued by World of Echo, available in a limited double vinyl edition and digital formats on October 18, 2024.

Naoki Zushi, a Japanese guitarist and composer, has had an extensive career spanning several decades. He gained recognition as the lead guitarist for the psych-folk group Nagisa Ni Te, where his guitar work became a defining aspect of the band’s sound. Alongside his contributions to the group, Zushi has also pursued a solo career, producing a series of albums that highlight his distinctive approach to the guitar. His discography includes works such as Paradise (1987), Phenomenal Luciferin (1998), III (2005), and the recent releases For My Friends’ Sleep (2021) and Nocturnes (2022).

IV is characterized by its deliberate and reflective approach to psychedelic guitar music. The album, comprising six tracks, unfolds with a controlled yet expansive style, drawing on Zushi’s skill in creating rich textures and emotive melodies. The opening track, “Mirror,” for instance, begins as a gentle psych-folk piece before evolving into a complex interplay of guitars reminiscent of Robert Fripp. Tracks like “Nocturne” further illustrate Zushi’s ability to build intensity through repetition and subtle shifts in tone.

The recording of IV took place across multiple locations, with contributions from Shinji Shibayama on bass and Masako Takeda on drums. Some of the foundational recordings were made at LM Studio and Studio Nemu, while much of the album was completed at Zushi’s home studio. This blend of professional and personal recording spaces adds to the intimate yet expansive feel of the album.

Naoki Zushi started his musical career in the mid-1970s, initially drawing attention as a founding member of the noise group Hijokaidan, alongside Jojo Hiroshige. Before that, he had been involved in various progressive rock and improvised music projects during his high school years. Zushi later formed Idiot O’Clock with Kenichi Takayama in 1982, and also led his own ensemble, the Naoki Zushi Unit, starting in 1983. His first significant appearance on record came with Shinji Shibayama’s psych-pop group Hallelujahs in the mid-1980s. This group later evolved into Nagisa Ni Te, where Zushi has played a crucial role as the lead guitarist for many years.

The IV reissue offers listeners a chance to experience Zushi’s nuanced and exploratory guitar work, further cementing his place within the lineage of guitarists who use the instrument both as a textural and expressive tool. The reissue will be available on double vinyl and digital platforms, continuing Zushi’s legacy of creating music that is both introspective and expansive.

IV Tracklisting

1. 鏡 – Mirror (16:24)
2. 夜想曲- Nocturne (11:12)
3. 神隠し – Spirit Away (07:59)
4. 狂想曲 – Capriccio (16:15)
5. メヌエット- Minuet (10:13)
6. 花が咲きますように – May A Flower Bloom (11:15)

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