Masayoshi Takanaka

Masayoshi Takanaka is a Japanese guitarist, composer, and producer who became one of the central figures of Japan’s rock and jazz-fusion scene. Born in Tokyo in 1953, he began his professional career in 1971 as a bassist with progressive rock band Flied Egg before joining Sadistic Mika Band as guitarist the following year. After continuing with Sadistics, he launched his solo career in 1976 with ‘SEYCHELLES’, beginning a prolific run of instrumental records that established his melodic, instantly recognisable guitar sound.

Albums including ‘TAKANAKA’, ‘AN INSATIABLE HIGH’, ‘BRASILIAN SKIES’, ‘JOLLY JIVE’, and the 1981 concept album ‘THE RAINBOW GOBLINS’ moved freely between jazz fusion, rock, funk, samba, bossa nova, and other Latin influences, producing enduring tracks such as ‘Ready to Fly’ and ‘Blue Lagoon’. Across his career, Takanaka has also worked with musicians including Lee Ritenour, Carlos Santana, Narada Michael Walden, and Sheila E., before establishing his own Lagoon Records label in 2000.

Decades after his commercial peak in Japan, Takanaka found an entirely new international audience through streaming, YouTube, and the wider rediscovery of Japanese city pop and fusion. By 2026, around 90% of his streams were coming from outside Japan, largely from younger listeners. That resurgence carried him onto the SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE tour, selling out venues across the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand before a headline appearance at London’s City Pop Waves. His colourful live persona, tropical imagery, and unmistakable surfboard guitar have become part of the appeal for a generation discovering music recorded decades before they were born.