BARREN DREAM

Japanese multi-instrumentalist Kazuhiro Miyatake was involved in most japanese Symphonic Rock projects during the 80's,mostly playing acoustic guitars and flute.So,anyone can find him in the line-up of bands like Mugen, Pageant, Pazzo Fanfano di Musica or Magdalena.By mid- 80's he adapted the name MR.SIRIUS and formed his own band,followed by PAGEANT's lead singer Lisa Ooki (she uses the name Hiroka Nagai on MR.SIRIUS) and Chihiro Fujioka on drums.After a 1986 EP,the trio releases their debut LP ''Barren Dream'' the next year on Made In Japan,re-released on CD by King Records with a different -cover plus a bonus track.

''Barren dream'' had to be one of the most intricate, energetic, adventuruous and nostalgic listenings for a prog fan back in the 80's (if not the most adventurous one!).Its English lyrics show that this record was headed for worldwide distribution and, as for the sound, this comes like a cross between acoustic RENAISSANCE-like melodies,GENESIS/CAMEL-influenced Symphonic Rock with plenty of flutes and highly-aggresive Canterbury Prog in the vein of HATFIELD AND THE NORTH or even better Dutch SUPERSISTER.Many different styles in here,but all of them are so inspiring and well-arranged,that you will get equal thrilling moments of listening.There is much of the typical Japanese piano/synth-driven grandiose and symphonic introductions, easily indicating the band's origin.Lisa Ooki's voice is more mature than ever with operatic vocals and sensitive choirs dominating the mellow symphonic or acoustic parts of the album (which even contain accordeon sometimes) in a dreamy way...but when it comes to the high energy,the album really gets off with the fantastic Canterbury-Fusion interplays,which come like a mix of nice melodies and demanding complexity.MR. SIRIUS prooves to be a mastermind of this style..Flutes are battling instrumental solos,melodic guitars combine with obscure synths,jazzy piano passages meet the complicated work of the rhythm section.Progressive rock at its best and I mean it!

Honestly,I do not know how much better progressive music can be,listening to ''Barren dream''.Kazuhiro Miyatake can place himself among the most significant figures of our beloved music (at least for me),after producing a masterpiece like this!A step further than extremely highly recommended,a must-have for ages!