LOST AND FOUND

KBB is a Japanese band formed in 1992 in Tokyo.They are led by composer/violinist Akihisa Tsuboy,a significant figure of the Japanese prog/fusion scene,who has collaborated with many artists both from Japan and abroad (Theta,Ashada,Vermillion Sands,Six North,A Triggering myth and others).Other members are Dani on bass,Shirou Sugano on drums and Toshimitsu Takahashi on keys.They released their first album ''Lost and found'' in 2000 on Musea.

STYLE: What seemed to be LOST during the new milleniumin in the Japanese prog scene was FOUND again by KBB: The highly energetic and grandiose sound of the mix between symphonic rock and jazz/fusion.KBB are a band that can play some trully captivating, adventurous and bombastic symph/fusion music,led by the violin of Tsuboy,the sharp keyboards of Takahashi and the talented rhythm section of Dani and Sugano.The whole album ends up to be a complicated journey through the different paths of music,helped by the great production.Intricate melodies give space to magnificent solos by guitars,violins and /piano/keys.Soft and relaxed musicianship disappears in the face of a mass of sudden breaks and the rise of complexity.This is what Japanese do best.

SOUNDS/INFLUENCES: Starting from Eddie Jobson's UK without their commercial side or JEAN LUC PONTY's solo albums and ending in traditional Japanese forces like KENSO,AIN SOPH,NEGASHERE and MIDAS (regarding the symphonic section).

PLUS: One of the best albums around to combine powerful solos,challenging interplays and strong melodies with such beauty.Tsuboy is already among my violin heroes,words are not enough to decribe his work.Keyboards are excellent from the solos to the background supporting role.The rhythm section is also very strong without a loose moment.Lots of memorable moments despite album's definite complexity.Crystalline production.

MINUS: I think the band should add some more relaxed themes for the greatest balance,as ''Lost and found'' is an album to be listened without a breath with so many themes and energy agoing on.

WILL APPEAL TO: Anyone into dynamic and energetic prog rock with changing themes such as heavy prog fans,symph/fusion fans,jazz/rock and Canterbury prog followers and the list goes on .

CONCLUSION/RATING: Seemed the Japanese symph/fusion had stuck in the early days of KENSO,AIN SOPH or MR.SIRIUS.But KBB appeared to remind us what Japanese musicians are capable of.One of the best prog albums of the new-era that flirts with the masterpiece title...4.5 stars please.