The Rainbow Goblins (album)
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| The Rainbow Goblins | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 10 March 1981 | |||
| Recorded | 1981 | |||
| Studio | ||||
| Genre | Jazz fusion, funk, pop | |||
| Length | 68:31 | |||
| Label | Kitty Records | |||
| Producer | Masayoshi Takanaka | |||
| Masayoshi Takanaka chronology | ||||
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The Rainbow Goblins (虹伝説, Niji Densetsu; lit. "Legend of the Rainbow") is the ninth studio album by Japanese musician, producer, and composer Masayoshi Takanaka, released by Kitty Records on 10 March 1981.
Inspired by the picture book of the same name by Italian artist Ul de Rico, Takanaka set out to create a fully realized concept album. Influenced by progressive rock bands like King Crimson and Pink Floyd,[1] he blended his signature guitar work with layered arrangements and vivid soundscapes to match the book's visual and narrative depth. The result is one of his most ambitious and imaginative works.
The Rainbow Goblins tells the story of seven goblins who each survive by stealing the colors of rainbows. We follow them as they journey through valleys, forests, and mountains in search of the legendary Valley of Rainbows. As they close in on their goal, nature turns against them. In the end, the rainbow pulls its colors away, and the goblins are defeated, ending with the powerful final track, "You Can Never Come to This Place", featuring a guitar solo from Takanaka.[2]
The album creates a rich musical journey that follows the arc of the original picture book, capturing its eerie illustrations and poetic tone. Each track reflects a stage in the story, and short spoken narrations between songs help tell the tale.
On release day, 10 March 1981, the album was performed live in full at Nippon Budokan and released on video. Several songs, however, were cut from the final footage.[3]
In recent years, The Rainbow Goblins has gained new recognition as interest in city pop and jazz fusion has grown. The creator of "Takanaka Vibes" was inspired by the video.[4]
Reception
Track listing
All tracks are written by Masayoshi Takanaka.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Prologue" | 3:16 | |
| 2. | "Once Upon A Song" | 5:10 | |
| 3. | "Seven Goblins" | 3:10 | |
| 4. | "The Sunset Valley" | Choux Suzuki | 4:20 |
| 5. | "The Moon Rose" | 5:38 | |
| 6. | "Soon" | 6:26 | |
| 7. | "Magical Night Light" | 1:52 | |
| 8. | "Rainbow Paradise" | Masayoshi Takanaka | 5:04 |
| 9. | "Thunderstorm" | 3:11 | |
| 10. | "Rising Arch" | 4:48 | |
| 11. | "Just Chuckle" | Choux Suzuki | 3:42 |
| 12. | "Rainbow Was Reborn" | 5:55 | |
| 13. | "Plumed Bird" | 7:31 | |
| 14. | "You Can Never Come To This Place" | 8:05 | |
| Total length: | 1:08:31 | ||
Personnel
Credits and personnel adapted from liner notes[7]
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Charts
Awards
The album won a planning award (企画賞) at the 23rd Japan Record Awards.[12]
Use
The track "Thunderstorm" was the theme music of pro-wrestler Genichiro Tenryu.[13][14][15]
Single
"You Can Never Come To This Place" was released as a single in 1981.[16] In 2025, it was included in The Smashing Machine soundtrack,[17][4] which caused it be streamed more often.[18]
Release history
| Region | Date | Formats | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 10 March 1981 | Kitty Records | ||
| 1984 | CD | |||
| 25 July 1990 | CD (reissue) | Universal Music Japan |