The Rainbow Goblins (album)

The Rainbow Goblins
Studio album by
Masayoshi Takanaka
Released10 March 1981
Recorded1981
Studio
  • Kitty Izu Studio, Izu
  • Polydor Studio, Tokyo
  • KRS Studio
GenreJazz fusion, funk, pop
Length68:31
LabelKitty Records
ProducerMasayoshi Takanaka
Masayoshi Takanaka chronology
Finger Dancin'
(1980) 		The Rainbow Goblins
(1981) 		Alone
(1981)

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.

Background

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.[4]

Reception

The album has been described as an "iconic"[5] "touchstone".[6] The creator of "Takanaka Vibes" was inspired by the video.[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Masayoshi Takanaka.

The Rainbow Goblins track listing
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Prologue" 3:16
2."Once Upon A Song" 5:10
3."Seven Goblins" 3:10
4."The Sunset Valley"Choux Suzuki4:20
5."The Moon Rose" 5:38
6."Soon" 6:26
7."Magical Night Light" 1:52
8."Rainbow Paradise"Masayoshi Takanaka5:04
9."Thunderstorm" 3:11
10."Rising Arch" 4:48
11."Just Chuckle"Choux Suzuki3:42
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[8]

Charts

The album Niji Densetsu reached number 4 on the Music Labo albums chart,[9] having debuted at number 7.[10] The album reached number 2 on the Cash Box LPs chart,[11] and number 3 on the Oricon chart.[12]

Awards

The album won a planning award (企画賞) at the 23rd Japan Record Awards.[13]

Release history

Release history for The Rainbow Goblins
Region Date Formats Label Ref.
Japan 10 March 1981
Kitty Records
1984 CD
25 July 1990 CD (reissue) Universal Music Japan

See also

References

  1. ^ fumiuchi (20 December 2024). 虹伝説2 BS特集　高中正義. Retrieved 28 June 2025 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "高中正義 [Masayoshi Takanaka] - YOU CAN NEVER COME TO THIS PLACE". Album of The Year. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  3. ^ Dave's Archives (11 July 2014). Rainbow Goblins Story - Masayoshi Takanaka (Live at Budokan - 1981) - 高中正義『Masayoshi Takanaka』– 虹伝説. Retrieved 18 November 2025 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "高中正義 [Masayoshi Takanaka] - THE RAINBOW GOBLINS". Album of The Year. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  5. ^ Masayoshi Takanaka Adds New Shows to Australia and New Zealand Tour. Rolling Stone Australia. 11 December 2025.
  6. ^ Masayoshi Takanaka adds extra shows to Australian tour due to overwhelming demand. Mixdown. 11 December 2025.
  7. ^ 'Do what you really want to do while you're still alive': Masayoshi Takanaka, the Japanese guitar hero surfing a second wave in his 70s. The Guardian. 2 March 2026.
  8. ^ Masayoshi Takanaka - The Rainbow Goblins, 1981, retrieved 28 June 2025
  9. ^ "Japan" in "Hits of the World". Billboard. 4 April 1981, p 86. 11 April 1981, p 64.
  10. ^ Billboard. 28 March 1981. p 59.
  11. ^ Cash Box. 18 April 1981, p 76.
  12. ^ Oricon
  13. ^ 第23回日本レコード大賞. Japan Composer's Association.
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