*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
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Turntables - Top Picks
A selection of reliable record players you can buy today, for every budget
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Before The Dawn Cold Flare Eternal (Blue Splatter)
Reaper Entertainment
September 5, 2025 -
Willi Carlisle Winged Victory
Signature Sounds
June 27, 2025 -
AVKRVST Waving at the Sky
Inside Out Music
June 13, 2025 -
MARINA PRINCESS OF POWER (Pink)
Bmg
June 6, 2025 -
Andrew Lloyd Webber SUNSET BLVD: The Album Nicole Scherzinger Edition [3xLP]
The Other Songs RecordsThe Other Songs R
July 25, 2025 -
Sally Anne Morgan Second Circle The Horizon
Thrill Jockey Records
June 20, 2025 -
Mayday Parade Monster In The Closet (10th Anniversary; Orchid) [2xLP]
Craft Recordings
July 11, 2025 -
Claudia Brucken Night Mirror (Dark Cherry)
Demon / Edsel
July 4, 2025 -
GWAR THe Return Of Gor Gor (Semi-Transparent Purple)
Pit Records
July 25, 2025 -
Black Spiders Cvrses (Black & White)
Dark Riders
June 27, 2025 -
PESO PLUMA ÉXODO [2xLP]
Peso Physical
June 20, 2025 -
Sault 10
Forever Living Origi
August 1, 2025 -
Sister. Two Birds
Mtn Laurel Rec. Co.
August 15, 2025 -
Stars of the Lid Music for Nitrous Oxide (30 Year Anniversary; Remastered) [2xLP]
Diggers Factory
July 25, 2025