Phantasia - Future Angels (1981)

Released in 1981, Future Angels (未来の天使たち) marks a turning point for Phantasia with the introduction of Keiko Arai on keyboards and Akira Matsuda on saxophone. Their arrival solidified the band’s sound, establishing the core of what would become their iconic lineup, and delving deeply into the essence of classic Japanese jazz fusion. This album also represents the beginning of Phantasia’s exploration into a science-fiction aesthetic, merging their divine iconography with futuristic themes that resonate deeply with their music, highlighted by Akira Matsuda’s stunning artwork. Fun Fact: Everlasting Joy was born out of an improvisation between the two new members of the band, this was encouraged by the founder members to help them loosen up and express their creativity. Track List: 00:00 - Divine Light (神聖なる光) 03:46 - Star City (星の都) 09:28 - Everlasting Joy (永遠の喜び) 12:47 - Echoes of Earth (地球の響き) 16:46 - Angel’s Choice ( 天使の選択) 22:19 - Lightyears in Harmony (光年の調和) 27:50 - Moon Whispers (月の囁き) 31:16 - Space Cruise (宇宙の航海) 34:26 - Beyond (彼方) 37:33 - Cosmic Reverie (宇宙の夢想) This project is a heartfelt tribute to the golden age of Japanese jazz fusion. Through storytelling, art and AI, we aim to reimagine a lost era and evoke the timeless beauty of this genre. The channel is run by musicians and partially uses AI in the creation process. Most tracks are based on human-made musical inputs, with AI tools enhancing the final style. Fully AI-generated tracks are rare, as current models often lack the ability to generate grooves, progressions, and melodic structures that meet the standards of this project. Phantasia wouldn’t exist without the trailblazing work of artists like Casiopea, T-Square, Masayoshi Takanaka, Ryo Kawasaki, Hiroshi Sato, Herbie Hancock and Walter Wanderley. Their visionary labor has profoundly shaped our understanding and love for music. Our vision is inspired by the narrative and captivating storytelling of ARGs and mockumentaries, where discovery and gradual realization are integral to the experience. For us, it’s about creating immersion and telling a story, not about deception. We aim to keep the focus on the art itself rather than shifting attention to the process. Our goal is to honor the essence of an era and offer listeners a chance to lose themselves in the atmosphere we’ve worked to recreate. Thank you for joining us on this journey.