Osamu Kitajima

Osamu Kitajima (喜多嶋 修), also known by the pseudonym Justin Heathcliff, is a Japanese musician, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who is known for new-age music, as well as folk, jazz fusion and electronic music.

History After studying the classical guitar and the piano as a child, in the 1960s Kitajima was a member of his cousin Yūzō Kayama's band The Launchers. After graduating from Keio University, and already a successful composer of TV and advertising jingles, he moved for one year to the UK in 1971, which brought him in to contact with British folk and psychedelic rock. Inspired in particular by The Beatles, Tyrannosaurus Rex and Syd Barrett, he dubbed himself "Justin Heathcliff" (picked for its English-sounding quality) and issued his lone eponymous album. Released only in Japan, the album became highly prized in collector's circles for its good-natured idiosyncrasy and casual melodicism.

After this album, he dropped the pseudonym and in 1974 released his debut album, Benzaiten (Island Records), under his own name. This instrumental album was melodically rich and can be defined as a mix of prog and psychedelic folk The album also featured Haruomi Hosono and it utilized various electronic equipment such as a synthesizer, rhythm machine, electronic drums, electric guitars, and electric bass.

In 1974, he moved to the Los Angeles area, USA, where he signed a contract with Island Records Later he opened the East Quest Studios there.

Discography (selection) Justin Heathcliff – Justin Heathcliff (1971) Fumio & Osamu – Shinchuugoku (1972) (フミオ* & オサム* – 新中国) Benzaiten (1974) (弁才天) Osamu (1977) (オサム) Masterless Samurai (1978) (素浪人) Dragon King (1979) Face to Face (1983) The Source (1986) Passages (1987) In Minds Way (1987) FM Shrine (1987) California Roll (1988) Sweet Chaos (1990) Mandala (1991) (曼荼羅) Behind the Light (1992) Beyond the Circle (1996, EP) Breath of Jade (2001) Two Bridges Crossed (w/ Chris Mancinelli) (2004) The Sound of Angel (2004) Epitome (2009) The Sacred Land: NHK HD Documentary Soundtrack (2010) Over the Brink (2013) Torii In The Sea (2019) Around the Edges (2020) Sweet Chaos (2021) Sundry Spirits (2024)