*A long-lost Japanese acid folk gem- Niningashi's 1974 private press debut Heavy Way- Pressed on black vinylA long-lost Japanese acid folk gem, Niningashi's 1974 private press debut Heavy Way shimmers with originality, deft song writing and a dream-like groove.Although he was training as a pharmacist, Kazuhisa Okubo was much more interested in prescribing musical medicine.A coming-of-age album, Heavy Way captured a turning point in Okubo's life, and Japanese society more widely as a nostalgia for the pastoral calm of the traditional life, met the cosmopolitan thrill of coffee, sex and cigarettes in the big city.Intoxicated by Tokyo, driven by a passion for music and surrounded by a thriving acid folk scene, the young student filtered his experiences through a psychedelic cocktail of soulful influences from the US and Japan.Niningashi was his first band, and Heavy Way was their only album. It was honest and raw, deep and strangely funky, in an off-beat kind of way. Across nine tracks, Okubo and the 6-piece band put their own spin on the new folk sound of Japan, combining witty lyrics with electric guitar-driven solos and crisp, understated grooves.Melancholy and profound, opening track 'Ameagari' feels like a synthesis of Harvest-era Neil Young and Haruomi Hosono's Happy End. Then there's the whimsical washboard country sound of 'Semai Boku No Heyade'; the moody, low-lit charm of 'Restaurant'; and 'Hitoribotchi', a sensitive portrayal of childhood, steeped in memories of rainfall that will resonate with fans of Woo and Mac Demarco.While Okubo would go on to taste success with psychedelic folk bands Neko and Kaze, the latter of which scored three #1 albums, little is known about his mysterious debut with Niningashi.Self-released by Okubo in 1974, and featuring album artwork by his brother, it has slowly generated a cult following online, intrigued by it's soft and enchanting sound. So few records were ultimately pressed that those remaining have fetched up to £1,500 online.Featured on Time Capsule's era-spanning collection Nippon Acid Folk, Niningashi's Heavy Way is a deep-cut grail of a vibrant time in Japan's musical history, where even the pharmacists were making jams.Ameagari (After the rain); Semai Boku No Heyade (In My Small Room); Ososugite (Too Late); Miyo Chan; Oraga Murano Soncho San (Our Village Chief); Restaurant; Natsu (Summer); Chikan No Uta (Molester Song); Hitoribotchi (On My Own)
Release date:
June 21, 2024
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
Denon DP-400
Featuring a high-precision, belt-driven mechanism and an adjustable tonearm that ensures optimal tracking and minimal resonance
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Creeper Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death (Purple Marble)
Spinefarm
October 31, 2025 -
Rammstein XXXIII 33 x Single [33xLP]
Virgin Music
November 14, 2025 -
Kevin Abstract Blush (Blue) [2xLP]
Kevin Abstract
November 7, 2025 -
Chrissie Hynde Duets Special
Rhino / Parlophone
October 17, 2025 -
Spock's Beard The Archaeoptimist [2xLP]
Madfish
November 21, 2025 -
Charlotte De Witte Charlotte De Witte [2xLP]
Kntxt
November 7, 2025 -
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Curse
Jagjaguwar
October 31, 2025 -
Rob Zombie The Great Satan (Ghostly Black)
Nuclear Blast
February 27, 2026 -
The Boojums The Boojums
Having Fun
October 31, 2025 -
My Chemical Romance Black Parade (White) [2xLP]
Warner Bros UK
October 17, 2025 -
David Gilmour THE LUCK and STRANGE CONCERTS (Amazon Exclusive Edition) [4xLP]
Legacy Recordings
October 17, 2025 -
Reba McEntire Starting Over (30th Anniversary) [2xLP]
Mca Nashville
January 23, 2026 -
Equilibrium Equinox (Clear / Brown Marbled)
Nuclear Blast
November 28, 2025 -
Kate Bush Best Of The Other Sides (Green Marble)
Fish People
October 31, 2025