Les Rallizes Denudes

***Opened in 1973, Jittoku is one of Kyoto’s most iconic venues, housed in a renovated traditional storehouse. While Les Rallizes Dénudés often played in their hometown, fans always eagerly awaited their return to the old city. This newly discovered tape captures their July 30, 1976 performance at Jittoku.

The 1976 lineup featured original members Takashi Mizutani (vocals/guitar) and Takashi Nakamura (guitar), joined by Hiroshi Nar (bass)—formerly of Zunou Keisatsu and Datetenryu—and drummer Sami (Toshiro Mimaki), who had been part of both the OZ staff and OZ Band in Tokyo. Many consider this period one of the band’s most vital. In 1976 the Rallizes began appearing at the newly opened YaneUra in Shibuya on an almost-monthly basis, while the music critic Akira Aida led efforts to produce a demo to try to get the band signed to Virgin Records (UK). That year the Rallizes also took part in the 3rd annual Sunset Carnival in Ishikawa prefecture on August 3 and 4, stopping in Kyoto on the way to the festival for two nights at Jittoku.

Recorded on a Marantz cassette deck using its internal mics, the tape unfortunately cuts off during the final track, “The Last One.” Still, producer Makoto Kubota recognized its potential and worked to revive the original performance’s spirit and shape it into an album.