[Bright & uplifting]
No.150EX "Morning Flight" by Malta
Hi. Today's song is "Morning Flight" by "MALTA".
"MALTA" is one of the best Jazz saxophonist representing Japan, and this is a thrilling and enjoyable Fusion instrumental featuring his alto sax.
You might be invited to go on a journey to a resort.
If you like, please listen to.
Some links to the music shops offering song samples are located on the bottom of this page.
Few contents have been put away in a " ▼Memo " tab in each section, so please click it to read.
If the " ▼Memo " tab does not open, please enable the Java script in your browser.
Thank you.
Song data
| Title | Morning Flight |
|---|---|
| Artist | MALTA |
| Album Title | |
| Catalog Number | VICJ-18008 |
| Track No. | 8 |
| Duration | 4:47 |
| Released | 1985 |
| Publisher | |
| Lyricist | Instrumental music |
| Composer | |
| Arranger | ? |
About the creators
Instrumental musicLyricist
This is an instrumental music, and there is no lyrics on this.
MALTAComposer
"MALTA" is the composer of this song, but also a performer.
So, we would like to come back to him later on "About the artist" section.
?Arranger
We could not find the name of the arranger.
We'd like to update if we get new information.
Cover art today
Song image & Lyrics
Open
Link to the lyrics
Copyright notice on the lyrics link
Sound impression
Bright & promising
This is a bright & light fusion instrumental in a comfortable upper middle speed rhythm.
Comfident
The song begins with a slow & glorious introduction by the bass and the strings, and it reminds us a peaceful dawn.
After the powerful signal by the drums, the bass, strings, keyboard, electric guitar, and the alto sax join, and begin the main melody.
A bouncy rhythm by the bass & drums, and an elegant background sound by the strings create an image of a smooth flight.
And "MALTA"s brilliant saxophone plays the main melody and solo play, powerfully and confidently.
Clear & straight
What we like most about "MALTA"s saxophone is his simple, straight, and clear tone.
There is usually a slight vibration when playing a straight tone. But on his play, it is just straight.
It is particularly noticeable on his earlier albums. You can check it in this song as well.
About the artist
MaltaAcademic saxophonist
"MALTA" (Yoshiaki Maruta) is a saxophonist, composer, arranger, music producer, and TV character active since 1978.
One of the masterful, and the most academic Jazz saxophone player.
"MALTA" debuted in 1983 with single "MALTA". Since then, 5 singles, and 24 original, 3 live, and 8 best albums have been released until now.
Early days
"MALTA" started playing the saxophone at 13 years old, when he entered a Junior high school, and joined a brass band.
Luckily, "MALTA" could have learnt the saxophone, and music theory from high level instructors around him. And after graduating from high school, he successfully entered one of the most competitive music college.
He received a very high level education on the saxophone in there for 4 years, and graduated from the college in 1973.
To take further education on the saxophone but specialized for Jazz, he decided to enter "Berklee College of Music" in Boston in the same year.
He studied at "Berklee" for 3 years, and graduated from the college in 1976.
In the mid '70s learning at "Berklee" was a prestigious opportunity for the musicians in Japan, since only very limited super players, like "Toshiko Akiyoshi", "Sadao Watanabe", "Masahiko Sato", or "Mickie Yoshino" had enjoyed the privilege so far.
After the graduation, "MALTA" became an instructor at "Berklee" for a short period.
In 1978, "MALTA" participated in "Charles Mingus big bands"s albums titled "Me, Myself An Eye", and "Something Like A Bird", which the former was released in 1979, and the latter was in 1980.
And it became a start of his professional career as a saxophone player.
In 1979, he became a concert master of "Lionel Hampton And His Orchestra".
And in 1983, he contracted with a Japanese music firm. Then came back to Japan, and released his first album "MALTA" in the same year.
New star
1983 was the year, that Japan was in the middest of Fusion boom.
Groups, or musicians like "Casiopea", "The Square", "Masayoshi Takanaka", "Naoya Matsuoka" etc, etc were competeing each other, and showing brilliant performances everyday in somewhere in Japan, at that time.
Among such competitive market situation, "MALTA"s new album "MALTA" brought a significant impact and surprise to not only for fans but also for the Jazz Fusion scene, because of his excellent play, and a beautiful sense of music.
Soon, a many of TV and Radio stations began to air "MALTA"s stylish music, and he quickly gained popularity.
In 1984, "Sweet Magic", and in 1985 "Summer Dreamin'", "MALTA" released fine albums from one to the next.
And already in 1985, "MALTA" had been an indispensable popular player in the Jazz fusion music scene.
And in 1987, his 4th album "SPARKLING" (1986) finally received a Japan Gold Disc Award. [The best album of the year, Jazz Fusion (Solo) category].
Humorous & bright
On the other hand, "MALTA" is also popular as a Radio personality, or TV character.
In 1985, he appeared on a casual style music education program as a lecturer.
Because of his friendly personality and sharp explanation, "MALTA" soon gained in popularity also in this area.
In 1987, he was selected as an MC of a popular music program, "Young studio 101" for young.
Since then, "MALTA" is frequently appearing on the various TV and Radio program until now, as a host or guest.
Academic
"MALTA" was lucky enough to have a high level lessons of the saxophone from local instructed when he was a high school student.
As a result, he successfully entered a reputed music college in Japan, and also learn the highest level Jazz saxophone at the Berkley.
It seems he is feeling obliged to the environment who provided him such high level educations. And wishing to return them to the society.
In 1991, he became a judge of a "National School Brass-band Invitational Tournament". And founded a special awards called "MALTA award" on this contest.
"MALTA award" had become famous and a bit statusy prize now a days.
In 2008, "MALTA" became a professor of a music college in Osaka. And in 2014, he also appointed as a visiting professor of the music college in Tokyo which "MALTA" graduated from.
Not only in those formal education, but also in many more casual opportunities, "MALTA" is enthusiastically teaching fun of music to the people continuously.
Recent
"MALTA" is constantly holding live concerts even now in all over Japan.
At the same time, he is spending a lot of time for teaching to pass his knowledge and skills to the younger generations.
(Ref: malta-jazzclub.com, profile)🇯🇵
Video clip
Finally, here is a live clip of MALTA's instrumental music "SCOOP YOU UP" from his 2010 album "Malta De Chopin".
This album took the motif from the works of Chopin. But they are doubtlessly totally MALTA world.
Participated musicians are mostly the members of his regular band "Hit and run". But a popular drummer, "Hiroyuki Noritake" is also taking part in as a guest.
If you like, please listen.
* "SCOOP YOU UP" by "Malta"
Music Samples
8
(試聴する)
AD: Listening samples (Free)
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
Apple Music
8
Japanese Letters
| Song Title | Morning Flight |
|---|---|
| Artist | MALTA |
| Album Title | Summer Dreamin' |
Comments