"I Saw the Light" is a standout track by Japanese jazz pianist and keyboardist , featured on his 1976 album "Mickey’s Mouth" . The song is a prime example of mid-70s Japanese jazz fusion, blending funky, electric grooves with sophisticated arrangements. Track Overview: "I Saw the Light"
He began as a bassist at 16 before switching to piano. He gained prominence in the early 70s playing with heavyweights like Terumasa Hino and Sadao Watanabe .
His later work, such as the 1978 album Corazón , recorded in New York with David Matthews , further cemented his reputation as a master of jazz-funk and Latin-influenced fusion. Mikio Masuda : Mickey's Mouth (LP, Vinyl record album) Mikio Masuda - I Saw The Light
The track features Masuda’s signature crisp touch on electric keyboards, including the Fender Rhodes and Moog synthesizers. Reviewers often compare the album's groove to the experimental style of Herbie Hancock or the laid-back, smooth approach of Bob James . Key Personnel
In the mid-70s, Masuda moved to the United States and became a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers , a rare feat for a Japanese musician at the time. "I Saw the Light" is a standout track
Mikio Masuda (born August 14, 1949, in Osaka) is a highly respected figure in the Japanese jazz scene .
The recording features a stellar lineup of Japanese jazz musicians and international talent: Synthesizers, Keyboards, Organ, Rhodes Piano. Kohsuke Mine: Soprano Saxophone. Osamu Kawakami: Electric Bass. Arihide "Jess" Kurata: Drums. Guilherme Franco: Percussion, Vocals, Tabla, Cuica. Masayoshi Saitoh: Electric Guitar. Artist Background He gained prominence in the early 70s playing
Mickey's Mouth (Released August 25, 1976, on the East Wind label ). Genre: Jazz-Funk / Fusion.