Virtuoso guitarist Char was rightly considered one of the most influential players on the Japanese music scene. He has had a high-profile career spanning over forty years. Char debuted in 1976 with a self-titled album and immediately caught the attention of Japan’s rock/blues music lovers with his eclectic mix of rock, funk and pop delivered with superior guitar playing up-front. Char’s skills attracted the praise of esteemed colleagues like Toto’s axe-man Steve Lukather.

In 1981, Lukather co-produced Char’s album U.S.J. Recorded in Los Angeles, Lukather brought in some of his celebrated friends including Jay Graydon, David Foster and the late Jeff Porcaro (1954 to 1992) to give Char’s music some of the irresistible L.A. deluxe pop sound. In the vaults, there’s already a review of a fantastic instrumental titled “Nice Changes.” This week, the focus is on an enthralling rock/jazz jam titled “Smoky.”

Char had already recorded an original track of “Smoky” on his 1976 debut album. This new version was greatly improved by the spectacular work of those legendary session aces who also delivered a killer arrangement with top-notch performances and solos. Check out the spectacular work of the rhythm section that included Porcaro’s powerful drumming and Foster’s immaculate acoustic piano playing and jazzy solo. The amazing guitars of Char and Lukather dominate the track and “Smoky” had only one weak point; the guitarist’s vocal performance. Another singer’s presentation would have made this song a masterpiece. Foster’s partner in crime, Humberto Gatica was in the engineer’s seat to ensure his trademark, state-of-the-art sound.

U.S.J. offered solid rock tunes with jazz overtones that was easy on the ears. U.S.J. was also of great interest for music fans who love Foster’s classic keyboard playing of the late seventies/early eighties.

Listen

Lead Vocals & Guitar: Char
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Keyboards: David Foster
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Guitar: Steve Lukather
Guitar: Jay Graydon
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa

Arranged by Jay Graydon, David Foster, Steve Lukather & Char
Produced by Steve Lukather & Char

Lyrics

Smoky, your not my sky

I really want to say good-bye

Money was all your lies

Wish I knew the reason why

Cause my head is clear

All the time I’m free, in my life

Music is like a star

Shining brightly from a far

Magic is like a pole star

Find a way with my guitar

I’ve got know my direction

And I know there’s no connection with my action

Something flowing my brain

Feel so good and there’s no pain

Find myself in the rain

While my friends keep me sane

And I know it ain’t no good

When I’m standing in the sun like a fool

You don’t know all the beauty you posses inside
You just can’t see what I see in you
I see everything I’ve needed
I see my reason for breathing

You’re the only one who holds my world in their hands
You’re everything I am

And if you could see you through my eyes
You’d see someone beautiful
On the inside and outside
So beautiful, you will know how I feel
You’d see, you’d see how much you mean to me

If you could see you through my eyes
If you could see you

You should know no one else could ever take your place
Don’t think I’ll ever stop needing you
I need everything about you
Can’t see a life lived without you

You’re my only heaven
You’re my world, you’re my dream
You’re everything to me

And if you could see you through my eyes
You’d see someone beautiful
On the inside and outside
So beautiful, you will know how I feel
Find more lyrics at ※ Mojim.com
You’d see, you’d see how much you mean to me

If you could see you through my eyes

You would see, you would see
What you mean, mean to me
You would know
There’s no one else I need

You would feel, what I feel
You would know
There’s no way to change
This love I have inside

And if you could see you through my eyes
You’d see someone beautiful
On the inside and outside
So beautiful, you will know how I feel
You’d see, you’d see how much you mean to me

If you could see you through my eyes
You’d see someone beautiful
On the inside and outside
So beautiful, you will know how I feel
You’d see, you’d see how much you mean to me

If you could see you through my eyes
If you could see you, oh through my eyes
If you could see you through my eyes
Oh, through my eyes

Char is Japan’s most talented guitarist with a career that spans four decades. In 1981 he recorded an album entitled “U.S.J,” produced by Toto’s legendary guitarist, Steve Lukather. Recorded in L.A., it’s a showcase of Char’s talent linked with the super session sounds of that era. Lukather brought in the talent of Jeff Porcaro on drums plus Jay Graydon and Richard Page who co-wrote some of the material. David Foster handled all the keyboards. Check out his wonderful performances at the synthesizers, fender Rhodes and acoustic piano.
There are six tracks included on the record. They are a collection of the slick L.A. sounds enhanced by the sublime playing of the aforementioned big names. There are powerful songs like the opener “Give Me Some Time” or “You Can’t Have Me” that develop along the lines of rock fm of this era. There’s also a jazzy moment entitled “Smokey” with a great piano solo by Foster and a power ballad called “Cry Like A Baby.” The only negative thing about the album is Char’s amateur vocals performances that cheapen the final result. The closing track, “Nice Changes,” is a gorgeous, slow instrumental co-written by Graydon and Richard Page. Here Char does a great job with his guitar. However, focus your attention on Foster’s superb work on the keyboards. There’s something magical in his carpet of fender Rhodes and acoustic piano licks. A final nod to the late Jeff Porcaro’s incredible playing towards the end of the song. He is greatly missed.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/nice_changes.mp3|titles=Nice changes|artists=Char]

Guitar: Char
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitar: Jay Graydon
Guitar: Steve Lukather
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Arranged by Jay Graydon, David Foster, Steve Lukather & Char
Produced by Steve Lukather & Char

Lyrics

NO LYRICS