BUKIMISHA: BUDDHA - The Spiritual Voices of Akira Ifukube

(UPC: 712187491648)

CD Includes Digital Download / Digital Booklet
Click Here for Digital-Only Album

BSX Records and Bukimisha the Weird Society are proud to present the a Capella recreation of Akira Ifukube’s unreleased score to the 1961 film spectacular BUDDHA. To chronicle the origin of Buddhism, Daiei Studios spared no expense to create large and elaborate sets that were filled with hundreds of extras, all captured in 70mm by VistaVision cameras. Ifukube utilized the skills of The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and the result was one of the maestro’s most magnificent efforts, an emotionally moving assemblage of thoughtful and awe-inspiring motifs. Shockingly, an original soundtrack album has never been released, though an abbreviated suite was included on a compilation album (it was just audio lifted from the film). The original master tapes were shipped to England for mixing and apparently never returned to Japan. Plus, Ifukube was apparently dissatisfied with their work.

Bukimisha the Weird Secret Society is a self-proclaimed ‘secret society’ (pronounced “Boo-key-may-sha” and roughly translating into “Creepy Company”) and have enthralled Japanese audiences over several decades. They have transformed their love of music into a unique art form, building an impressive catalog currently exceeding 170 albums! Many of these feature selections from Akira Ifukube’s vast output of classical compositions and complete film scores. Bukimisha was even given the opportunity to perform before the legendary composer at one of his final birthday celebrations.

BSX Records is proud to once more offer the distinctive performance art of Bukimisha to movie music fans around the world. This album has been mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland from the group’s original digital recordings, all supervised and approved by Takeo Yahiro & their great mentor, Dr. Bukimi. Exclusive liner notes by author David Hirsch with Sam Scali, and comments from scholar Erik Homenick (akiraifukube.org) on the music featured.

This CD set is a limited run of 500 units.

01. Opening 2:47
02. Above and Below Heaven, I Am Worthy 2:49
03. Martial Arts Tournament 4:33
04. Kapila Castle 5:17
05. The Tragedy of Princess Yashodhara 3:41
06. Bodhi Tree 8:33
07. Kishimojin 2:59
08. Hanako Castle 1:58
09. Enlightenment of Kunara 5:49
10. Devadathha’s Divine Power 10:49
11. Rajgir 4:39
12. Collapse of the Rasatta Temple 7:43
13. Closing 5:16
14. Return of Buddha, Devadathha (unused) 3:12