Japanese born, Berlin-based composer and vibraphonist Masayoshi Fujita will release his new album, Book of Life, on July 27th via Erased Tapes. The album is the third installment in a trilogy of solo vibraphone recordings and coincides with the re-issue of Stories, Masayoshi’s debut album under his own name.

With Book of Life, we’re told that Masayoshi continues his mission in bringing the vibraphone—a relatively new invention in the history of instruments often kept in the background in orchestras and jazz outfits—into the spotlight. Having trained as a drummer, Masayoshi began experimenting with the vibraphone, preparing its bars with kitchen foil or beads, playing it with the cello bow such as in “Fog” or using the other end of the mallets to create a more ambient texture of sound, as with the title track. Masayoshi explains: “I think the vibraphone is capable of more interesting and beautiful sounds that haven’t been heard before. It’s quite a new instrument but it’s often played in a similar way. I feel that there is a lot more to explore with this exciting instrument.”

The album also sees Masayoshi bring in more orchestral elements such as strings, flute, and even a choir to interact with the vibraphone.

Tracklisting

01. Snowy Night Tale 

02. Fog 

03. It’s Magical 

04. Old Automaton 

05. Book Of Life 

06. Harp 

07. Mountain Deer 

08. Sadness 

09. Misty Avalanche 

10. Cloud Of Light 

Book of Life LP will be released by Erased Tapes on July 27 with Stories reissued on the same day. Meanwhile, you can stream “It’s Magical” below—or here for EU readers due to temporary GDPR restrictions.