SIGHS OF THE WATER

Gerard are a Japanese trio from Japan who, on the evidence given by their newest offering on Musea, are very heavily influenced by Emerson Lake & Palmer. Although the band released their debut album as long ago as 1983, they settled into the current line-up in time for their 1996 album 'The Pendulum'. The music is mostly instrumental although drummer Masuhiro Goto provides vocals on two songs, and a guest vocalist is used on another. Although the drumming and bass playing is top quality the focal point of the music is very much keyboard player Toshio Egawa.

With no other melody instrument (not even a guest guitarist), it is very much in his hands to provide all of the musical styles necessary to drive the songs forward. In many ways this is music out of time as it belongs in the Seventies, long passages designed to keep the listener's jaw firmly on the floor as the speed and dexterity of Toshio is designed to amaze. It is not all frenetic stuff though, and there are dreamy interludes to counterpoint the more rampant excesses.

Any fan of ELP will surely enjoy this release as much as I have. Originally released only in Japan, the Musea version contains a bonus track.

Originally appeared in Feedback #69, Aug 02