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Japanese Progressive Rock presented by DamoX
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DamoXt7942 View Drop Down
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Points: 17493 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DamoXt7942 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2020 at 08:56
Thanks Samuel! Very very happy you can enjoy this ep. Big smile

I'm sure they will be added in PA soon. Let's see ...

EDIT: They've been added in JMA. Thanks John and Slava. 


Edited by DamoXt7942 - August 27 2020 at 17:24
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Points: 10281 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Meltdowner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 27 2020 at 08:08
^ That's a lovely EP, thanks for sharing. I think it would make a tiresome full album with the flute always front and center though.
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Hi Japanese progressive rock fans!
I'm glad to recommend another fantastic Japanese unit Kiku Latte (formerly known as Cichla Temensis).

Kiku Latte (Cichla Temensis)
Quote A Japanese rock unit CICHLA TEMENSIS were founded as an art rock trio featuring flute in 2006 by Takumi KOKUBU (bass), Masahiko NOGUCHI (drums), and Haruna FUKAZAWA (flute). Their first album "Another Triangle" was released in 2008 and second "Affine Space" in the following year. Their stage in Trieste Summer Rock Festival (2010) was much appreciated but sadly they went into hibernation in a sudden manner in 2012. In 2016 Takumi invited Kazumi SUZUKI (flute, ex-NAIKAKU) and Hiroyuki KATO (guitars) and revived CICHLA TEMENSIS finally. Their third album "Fantasia" was out in 2019 under the formation as follows: Kazumi SUZUKI (flute), Yusuke AKIYAMA (keyboard), Shingo YOSHIDA (drums), Hiroyuki KATO (guitar), and Takumi KOKUBU (bass). In 2020 they changed their moniker to KIKU LATTE.
Fantasia (2019)
Originally posted by dAmOxT7942's review dAmOxT7942's review wrote:

In any case, Japanese pop / rock fans love art rock. Likewise in the Japanese progressive rock scene. Some Japanese 'so-called-progressive-rock' projects run towards kinda artistic style, along with superficially complicated rhythm and melody lines, and eventually end up with unoriginal collectives. Sorry I do not know the reason KIKU LATTE (formerly known as CICHLA TEMENSIS) have experienced 4-year hibernation from 2012 until 2016, but surely they've revived due to admission of Kazumi (flute, ex-Naikaku), Hiroyuki (guitars), and Shingo (drums) ... and finally last year their third album titled "Fantasia" was released. Guess they would have squeezed all of their musical / artistic pleasure into this 22-minute creation. It's good you can find their pleasure itself easily via this opus full of acceptable phrases and reasonable movements. Yes, they keep the flautist Kazumi upon the front line like other combos featuring flute, but such delightful atmosphere should never exist without a decent, consistent rhythm section.

The first shot "Sorairo No Geranium (Sky-Blue Geranium)" has superbly cheerful disposition. Sounds like all of them be frank, positive and optimistic. Complex melody lines based upon eccentric rhythm nation can be digested easily. Uptempo favourable soundscape is immersive. In "Aoi Komichi (Green Lane)" Yusuke's keyboard works are fantastic. Quite impressive despite the fact this track is the shortest in this album. On the contrary, a slowtempo ballad "Mikazuki Ko (Crescent-shaped Lake)" sounds like an elegant social dance of flute and acoustic guitar. Wonderful the lines are not inorganic nor artificial. "Doors" would remind you that they lean musically towards Citizen Cain or so. It's excellent they play altogether pretty smoothly without any deviation. The last suite "Ibis" is the most powerful and exciting one, filled with heavy, explosive moments and sub-improvised outbreak in the latter phase. Wondering if they might intend to grab the similarity to progressive metal like Dream Theater ... another enjoyable minute really.

Although no Neues nor innovation can be heard, I'd like to say their audible fantasia in a natural manner is fantastic. Above mentioned, do hope they will never get caught up in so-called progressive rock.


Thank you for reading this blog. Cool


Edited by DamoXt7942 - August 27 2020 at 07:45
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^ Only Japanese bio available, not enough info in English as you say. No worries. Thumbs Up
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Originally posted by DamoXt7942 DamoXt7942 wrote:

This unit have been recommended by my prog mate Mira a while before. Thanks Mira!


No problem, and I apologize for leaving most of the research into their biography up to you. I certainly tried my best...
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Harpy added in PA finally.
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KYOKO (voices) of HARPY

Hello, let me post about another fantastic Japanese avantgarde-pop outfit HARPY (not in Progarchives Library yet). This unit have been recommended by my prog mate Mira a while before. Thanks Mira!
Originally posted by Harpy's bio Harpy's bio wrote:

A Japanese (Tokyo-based) uniti HARPY were founded by a drummer / multi-instrumentalist ITOKEN aka Kenji ITO and a female vocalist KYOKO (ex-OOIOO) in late 1990s. They released two official albums "Do Not Eat" (1997) and "Speech On The Radio" (1999) via a French independent label Stupeur & Trompette! whilst gigging mainly around Tokyo (Koenji etc.). They've been hibernated since early 2000s because of KYOKO's illness, and will never come back upon stage owing to her death in 2015. In 2020 her common-law husband ITOKEN has compiled HARPY's live in 1997 as "MIMI festival 1997" released via his Bandcamp.
Speech On The Radio (1999)
Originally posted by dAmOxT7942 dAmOxT7942 wrote:

Impressive / suggestive pop arts seasoned with bombastic weirdness. It's mentioned that a Japanese (almost Tokyo-based) underground avantgarde pop quartet HARPY, active just upon the boundary between 20th and 21st centuries, impressed the audience with mysterious rhythmic basis and mystic, eccentric melody lines. Their sound components would be created by the two front members - the drummer / multi-instrumentalist ITOKEN and the vocalist KYOKO - and such a surrealism around their soundscape could be developed extremely because they were under the same roof, I guess. KYOKO had played in OOIOO for a short while and you can find the reason why she left the female combo via differences of sound texture.

Every single track in this album (also in other opuses) is quite short (no longer than 4 minutes) and they stuffed much essence into a 1 or 2 minute song. As you understand through the creation, KYOKO's high-tone, immature, and especially addictive voices are tempting and outstanding everywhere. Their melody lines are not complicated nor elaborated but simple and repetitive ... forgive me but I think they produced every single stuff improvisationally and momentarily. But let me say this improvisational creativity and intensive natural beauty via their inner mind should have formed another dimension of musical dynamics (with lots of instruments utilized). You can feel full of pleasure and vivacity in this album compiled with plenty of their impulses and native ideas beneath the inner world. This creation is "not my glass of wine" indeed but should get appreciated enough more.


Thank you for reading this blog.
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Points: 17493 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DamoXt7942 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 05 2020 at 21:13
Originally posted by verslibre verslibre wrote:

Sorry to hear that, Damo! I hope you're better! I always check out your blog for new stuff. Fission sounds cool. I'll listen to their music after work tonight.

Thanks verslibre, I'm really fine now (but simultaneously afraid when and how I be invaded by such horrible microparticles).
Yuji and Mako cannot make any gig owing to the pandemic but great material they've launched. Star


Edited by DamoXt7942 - May 05 2020 at 21:13
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Originally posted by BrufordFreak BrufordFreak wrote:

Don't know how I've missed this blog, but I am JUST NOW discovering it! I'm VERY excited (though 50 pages is a lot to review.) 

I'm also very curious to find out which Japanese prog bands draw the biggest crowds and/or album sales.
Thanks Drew! Your knowledge of prog all over the world is excellent really. Clap
Do hope you can dig more and more Japanese progressive rock scene, even if majority or minority. Wink
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Originally posted by DamoXt7942 DamoXt7942 wrote:

Hello guys, and sorry for my loooong hibernation again. Whilst battling against coronavirus, I've got a new album created by Yuji Muto (guitars, ex-Next Order, Plastic Dogs, Ryorchestra). This stuff is an improvisational jazz / heavy rock one so probably cannot be fit for PA. Nonetheless let me recommend here, please.[QUOTE]A 'live' duo Yuji MUTO & Mako KIMATA were formed in 2019 as Yuji's second improvisational project. Mako is already renowned as a metallic drummer playing double-bass drums, and Yuji is well-known as a guitarist of Next Order, Ryorchestra, or Plastic Dogs. In September 2019 they recorded material at Jazz Club Intersat (Nagoya, Japan) for their first 'live' album titled "Fission", that was released upon May 5, 2020 via Bomba Records. Sadly they cannot gig with their debut creation owing to coronavirus pandemic in Japan, but it will take them little time to perform on stage again.

Sorry to hear that, Damo! I hope you're better! I always check out your blog for new stuff. Fission sounds cool. I'll listen to their music after work tonight.
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Points: 8546 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BrufordFreak Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 05 2020 at 07:56
Don't know how I've missed this blog, but I am JUST NOW discovering it! I'm VERY excited (though 50 pages is a lot to review.) 

I'm also very curious to find out which Japanese prog bands draw the biggest crowds and/or album sales.
Drew Fisher
https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/
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Yuji Muto & Mako Kimata

Hello guys, and sorry for my loooong hibernation again. Whilst battling against coronavirus, I've got a new album created by Yuji Muto (guitars, ex-Next Order, Plastic Dogs, Ryorchestra). This stuff is an improvisational jazz / heavy rock one so probably cannot be fit for PA. Nonetheless let me recommend here, please.
Quote A 'live' duo Yuji MUTO & Mako KIMATA were formed in 2019 as Yuji's second improvisational project. Mako is already renowned as a metallic drummer playing double-bass drums, and Yuji is well-known as a guitarist of Next Order, Ryorchestra, or Plastic Dogs. In September 2019 they recorded material at Jazz Club Intersat (Nagoya, Japan) for their first 'live' album titled "Fission", that was released upon May 5, 2020 via Bomba Records. Sadly they cannot gig with their debut creation owing to coronavirus pandemic in Japan, but it will take them little time to perform on stage again.
Fission (2020) ... Lineup: Yuji Muto / guitars, Mako Kimata / drums, percussion
Originally posted by dAmOxT7942 dAmOxT7942 wrote:

"Fission" was released in May 2020 as the second shot of Yuji's improvisation series, in collaboration with a female metalcore drummer Mako KIMATA. Each of them has already been renowned as a session musician in other metal / jazz / avantgarde units as you know, and you have definitely been looking forward to such a instrumental battle between the two talented artists. Wondering where two eccentric originality would go ... if they could be united or not. An everlasting amazement will end up with this brilliant stuff.

The first track "Killer Hornet" kicks you away from the real world, along with Yuji's deep, heavy, explosive but sincere, polite guitar play and Mako's eccentric, complicated, strict drumming. An improvised magnificence is perfectly concordant with another play. Let me say at first, this superb session was live upon stage, actually. "Killer Hornet 2" gets more impressive and innovative. The middle part full of melodic cores and dramatic drumming is kinda killer. You can easily suppose such a powerful, complex stuff could not be played at one stretch without breathing.

On the contrary, the second one "Fission Improvisation" gets started with Yuji's quiet, gentle, but eccentric guitar phrases. Sounds like his guitar might give a speak to the audience in front of him, and Mako's drumming be supportive of Yuji's attempt to be a poet, especially the former part of this track. However, the latter stage is crazy ectopic and dissected. Their excessive play reminds you slightly of Behold ... The Arctopus, in spite of the fact they are only two.

In "A World Inside A Dew Drop" Mako's percussion play fills your brain with percussive dew drops. A gorgeous, beautiful tune really ... happy to imagine the audience listened to this one with tremendous emotion. The last "20-6", that I don't know the real meaning of, is quite relaxing. Apparent is such an expression the two instrumental atmosphere got merged and crystallized completely. You can feel aftereffects of comfort, after being knocked out by their bombastic plays.

An evaluation for improvisational creations should owe a lot to how technical and completely harmonized. In this sense, their works are great indeed. On the other hand, quite difficult to find and get to so-called sound innovation via such material. All the same, this album is fantastic.


Thank you for reading this blog.
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Originally posted by DamoXt7942 DamoXt7942 wrote:

And Motor Humming added in Progarchives! Big smile


Hi Damo...I am not sure if this is the right place to ask this but I was curious, which Japanese prog bands play to the biggest crowds and enjoy the most popularity in terms of live shows in Japan today?

Thanks!
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And Motor Humming added in Progarchives! Big smile
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Hi there...I am not sure if this is the right place to ask this but I was curious, which Japanese prog bands play to the biggest crowds and enjoy the most popularity in terms of live shows in Japan today?

Thanks!
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MOTOR HUMMING with Masaharu NAKAKITA (left, bass, ex-Djamra)

Hello, sorry for my long hibernation but let me recommend another Japanese music flexibility MOTOR HUMMING.
They've changing their lineup again and again, and currently there are only two; Shimpei HIOKI (guitar) and Setsuko HIOKI (drums, percussion).
At a Japanese venue Namba Bears in Dec. 2019, they gigged dramatically in collaboration with a bassist (their and my good friend) Masaharu NAKAKITA (ex-Djamra).

Masaharu NAKAKITA (bass)

Musical Aluminum (1999) - MOTOR HUMMING
Quote Found another fantastic musical gem released 20 years before. MOTOR HUMMING have been founded as an experimental rock combo in Osaka, Japan in late 1990s. This debut (and currently only one) album "Musical Aluminum" was launched in 1999 via John Zohn's private label named Tzadik Records. The frontman / guitarist Shimpei HIOKI says he had a telephone call from John (no sns nor internet needless to say) for releasing their creation 'without any notice' in those days. The time goes upon. Their lineup has changed again and again, and now there are Shimpei and his wife Setsuko HIOKI (drums, percussion). I've attended their gig at an Osakan venue Namba Bears upon December 22, 2019, where they played faithfully their original material created over 20 years before, in collaboration with their mate Masaharu NAKAKITA (bass, ex-DJAMRA ... mysteriously Masaharu's unit DJAMRA have been in the same vein of MOTOR HUMMING around the same while). They upon stage told us the audience that their sound should not be listened to carefully nor sincerely but enjoyably and ecstatically, just like many other Osaka-based projects. "Musical Aluminum" was filled with such an atmospheric grandeur.

Basically their sound material features guitar, bass, and drums ... quite a simple formation. Based upon complicated, polyrhythmic rhythm section, Shimpei's guitar play has plenty of appearances. Could not digest 'music of aluminum' according to his words before the gig indeed, but makes sense after their performance. Aluminum is easy to process, and phantasmagoric. Their soundgarden should be felt like aluminum. Some unique, playful moments are here and there, while launching heavy complex earachy melodic rhythmic punches. The audience would get immersed in funky, crazy, repetitive phrases via their instruments ... "Holiday Accidents" is such an Osakan joke. Trust me, they only provide short music comfort, like a colourful short movie. Not innovative enough nor so-called progressive but exaggerated and pleasant. You can enjoy their musical essence flooded with delight and Osakan humour. Oh guess John (Zohn) should have been absorbed with their madness. :)



Thank you for reading this blog.


Edited by DamoXt7942 - December 27 2019 at 01:34
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^
^^
Thumbs Up

Been a tad too pressed with my real life and work to update this blog but I'll try step by step. Wink
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Originally posted by DamoXt7942 DamoXt7942 wrote:

And why do you login via another id? Guess you might forget your previous password ... Ouch

Was stupid and used my work email back then Clown now at another job

NB: Saw Ground-Zero drummer Yasuhiro Yoshigaki with a 17 piece Free Jazz setup at Københaven Jazz Festival, that was crazy - very small location sitting in a sofa 2-3 meter from the stage Smile, and as wife was only one from your country within miles - we got a long nice chat with them all, the last 30 min before they got on stage. 

  






Edited by tamijo_II - November 01 2019 at 10:11
Same person as this profile:
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Originally posted by DamoXt7942 DamoXt7942 wrote:

Yeah Pedro, you're one of Japanese rock (including progressive ones) intellectuals really ... Cool

I wish I knew a bit more, but not being able to purchase anything to have and stew on, takes a toll on my ability to hear things in their entirety, which has always been my preference.

And it looks like MONO is here in Portland on Wednesday the 6th ... I might get to see me some Japanese music finally ... if Damo Suzuki doesn't count of course!

But the real "intellectual" on the music and the names and the family trees would be Guy Guden ... it's almost insane how someone at his age still has the same experimental and far out ear that he had 46 years ago! And the Japanese contingent on his show is probably twice or three times what I listed ... I had to scramble to look at the listings of shows of Guy's that I have and then list the artist ... his list would probably be impossible to put together ... but I can tell you that since SMB and YMO, it is by far the most complete sets of folks I have ever seen. 

Btw CHRONICLE played in LA in 1976 or early 1977 I think ... and it was a very nice show. It was a music festival of some sort that had others in there, but right now I'm not sure I could list any others. 

今は時のすべて


(Like a Message From the Stars ... ???)


Edited by moshkito - November 01 2019 at 07:57
Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com
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Yeah Pedro, you're one of Japanese rock (including progressive ones) intellectuals really ... Cool
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