Blue Sky, a greatest-hits compilation from guitarist Kotaro Oshio, provides exactly what it promises: the best of his recorded output to that point.

Oshio is well-known for his live covers, reworked as classical/jazz masterpieces, but those are largely absent from the compilation.

In their stead are a number of his hits from his previous five albums.

Although released independently, the title track was his breakout hit.

"Departure," from the Panorama album, and "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence" from his first major-label release, Starting Point, are also here.

So are blues bits and Spanish-inspired pieces from later albums.

The span of Oshio's career is well-covered by Blue Sky, and should provoke further exploration into Oshio's works.