YAMAI

I find myself greatly ashamed for letting almost an entire year pass by without me checking out the latest Le Silo album. Oh well, since we are finally connected it doesn't matter I guess, and the joy is even greater due to the fact that this is the first Le Silo album I own physically (with an obi and everything, it's so nice).

Though I was a bit hesitant at first, now I can say with no doubts that this might be Le Silo's finest release yet. Yamai presents our lovely japanesee trio in a truly grand shape: Miyako Kanazawa's piano playing is as glamorous as it ever was (maybe more!), Michiaki Suganuma's drumming is agile, precise and full of little percussive surprises, and Yoshiharu Izutsu's mighty guitar bonds the whole band together, sometimes going rough and angular, sometimes dreamy and soothing (there are some moments that, to my personal delight, remind me of Allan Holdsworth's style).

There is plenty of pure musical joy to discover on the album. The record is filled to the brim with little earworm melodies, motives and passages - fantastic as always, perhaps a bit more consistant than before. Ozakko No. 2 is as good an opener as any, with its dancy melody and squeeky-freaky vocals (which, I might add, I love dearly). Fantastic guitar solo here too, one of many. Ping-Sama opens up with a persistent guitar riff which thrusts the whole song onwards. I very much enjoy the operatic vocals towards the end. Fantastic stuff. Doizumiki is perhaps the most "old-style" or "classic" Le Silo track in here, with a cheerful intro that soon goes darker and leads to a disfigured improv. Zunda No. 2 doesn't sound like Zunda Tsu Tsu at all, instead it goes for delightful piano-guitar unisons with a classic progressive rock feel to it. Matasaman is yet another example of the band's unique chemistry - the way the trio plays together on this one is just beyond words. Love that one! Center of Diamond has quite a venturous feel to it and sounds to me like a soundtrack to a great adventure. I Want Some Coffee is lighter, a bit humorous, but endlessly caprivating. Getting some classic RIO vibes here as well, such as Present or Miriodor (but just a little bit). Protesqurugari is, oh well, such a ravishing song, my favourite on the album! Grand dramatic vocals, gloomy piano and another improv in the middle, followed by one of the most beautiful piano solos I've heard. Perfect. Feels So Good!! brings some nice, goovy jazz-fusion to the table, and, as the title would sugest, it just feels so good! The closer, Sauna, might feel a bit underwhelming due to its slowness, but oh well, after an hour of such material you can't go wrong with a bit of peace. It is majestic anyway.

The only real bit of my criticism would regard the mix, especially the fact that guitar tends to be hidden behind much more louder drums and piano. Fortunately the most important parts (incuding the solos) are audible enough.

Yeah, what else is there to say? I'm really glad this album is going to be a part of my life from now on. Arigato, Le Silo!

Favourite tracks: Ozakko No. 2, Ping-Sama, Doizumiki, Matasaman, Center of Diamond, I Want Some Coffee, Protesqurugari Least favourite tracks: Mi Ra Do