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A-Z of Japanese Psych & Prog Rock

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Psychedelic Paul View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 25 2025 at 09:46
Originally posted by KorgC3 KorgC3 wrote:

Was thinking a lot about this band recently. While they had an extensive influence on the local scene, and mainly some VGM composers like Sakuraba, I don't think that their style was ever properly emulated by any other act.
I mean there are both Symphonic and Neoclassical bands out there, but Outer Limits handsomely combines the two branches (with the neoclassical sound actually properly having orchestral elements), and adds the odd more technical rhythmic features of the modern tradition on top.
Apparently they've made an EP (?) after STROMATOLITE called Time Stranger, which I could not find anywhere:

Most of their older demos (like the 1982 version of The Scene of Pale Blue) were re-issued in the 2006 edition of Marionette's Lament, but same cannot be said about the new stuff. As far as I know, promotional stuff such as the Organ Works was never re-issued in any kind of form.
One song by the name of Discoloured Ice managed to evade the plight of obscurity. A live performance of it can be found on Youtube, and it has also appeared in a compilation album called Jap's Progre by YggrDrasill Records.
Count me in as another fan of the Outer Limits - not just the band, but the classic 1960's sci-fi show too. Smile

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 25 2025 at 11:32
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

PALE ACUTE MOON     Whilst Genesis were busy churning out such laughably inane oddities as "Illegal Alien" and "Who Dunnit" during the 1980's, on the other side of the world the Japs were busy bringing us such beautiful symphonic delights as the splendid "Newtopia" album below, which would remain largely undiscovered in the West until the birth of YouTube in 2005. Pale Acute Moon joins Gerard, Mugen, Outer Limits and Pageant as being amongst the best Symphonic Prog bands in the world during the much-maligned 1980's era. Smile



Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 28 2025 at 11:50
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 26 2025 at 05:07
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

PAZZO FANFANO DI MUSICA    Hokkaido!  At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking the classically-inspired chamber outfit Pazzo Fanfano di Musica are an Italian Prog RPI band, but no,  in reality they're a Japanese Symphonic Prog band who just happen to be "fanfanos" of Italian Prog, although they do sound unmistakably Japanese. Sayonara. Smile

4 stars 1989: Pazzo Fanfano di Musica - Pazzo Fanfano di Musica - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoUp30ZoFQ5ZHy6Dr14JHa4KXDfz53ytR
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 26 2025 at 06:54
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

PROVIDENCE     The phrase "Choku-Muro" (mentioned in the title of Providence's second album) refers to a small Sake cup - where Sake is the alcoholic drink of choice in downtown Tokyo - so I'm guessing these guys (and one girl's) idea of paradise is a full cup of Sake, and so, with that said, when in Tokyo, do as the Japs do. Cheers! Beer 

 4 stars 1989: Providence - And I'll Recite an Old Myth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-pRPBbm3pw
 4 stars 1996: Providence - There Once Was a Night of Choko-Muro The Paradise - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZ29QOnza0



Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 26 2025 at 07:00
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 26 2025 at 06:59
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog - Part 5 of 6

 4 stars 1984: Sagittarian - Sagittarian - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQg-sD2WxnM

 4 stars 1989: Motoi Sakuraba - Gikyoko Onsou - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsaU7AjgzAI
 4 stars 1996: Motoi Sakuraba - Beyond the Beyond - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxXcmxjAMq4
 4 stars 1997: Motoi Sakuraba - Shining the Holy Ark - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0eniYOmj1vPPaAsVW9wHVFjVnUCgNobv
 4 stars 1999: Motoi Sakuraba - Force of Light - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3pNmcioo4w
 3 stars 2008: Motoi Sakuraba - Forest of Glass - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KlojAJrNlo


 4 stars 1979: Shingetsu - Shingetsu - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJtNSu2VjgE
 4 stars 2016: Shingetsu - From a Distant Star - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_3_TVz8KS8

 4 stars 1989: Social Tension - MacBethia - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6ml1zRhNns
 4 stars 1990: Social Tension - It Reminds Me of Those Days - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEMSXKQX95s

 5 stars 1997: Masayoshi Takanaka - The White Goblin - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdz3leXrRuU

 4 stars 2009: TEE (The Earth Explorer) - The Earth Explorer - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lj-JuyCJJdFu4EE6Ns7w-4Km7PlV-Rx-E
 4 stars 2012: TEE (The Earth Explorer) - Trans Europe Expression - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lBvuHBd9CKtoq9R3LKD9a967zji4yo9Ns
 4 stars 2016: TEE (The Earth Explorer) - Tales of Eternal Entities - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_miJU2huWD-GzIv4NWSGG3pcspiKu3rlWI

                  1985: Teru's Symphonia - Teru's Symphonia - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysn7gRq5GFs
                  1988: Teru's Symphonia - Egg the Universe
                  1989: Teru's Symphonia - Human Race Party - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn28jWo0D8o
                  1991: Teru's Symphonia - Fable on the Seven Pillows - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nTdNoBS0UB4tgdklOgVHDun2Oghu487zI
                  1993: Teru's Symphonia - Clockworked Earth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR0F47coqKg
                  1997: Teru's Symphonia - Do Androids Dream of Electric Camel? - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nNtim7fwNlujpSLcohOXdbBXTrXQHVV78
                  1999: Teru's Symphonia - The Gate - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5RaESb5JLo

                  2000: Theta - Seeds of the Dream - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nmnvhwmfxJrD1VflU30AnzrMSK8MZaC4U


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - 57 minutes ago at 11:12
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 26 2025 at 10:54
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

PROVIDENCE     The phrase "Choku-Muro" (mentioned in the title of Providence's second album) refers to a small Sake cup - where Sake is the alcoholic drink of choice in downtown Tokyo - so I'm guessing these guys (and one girl's) idea of paradise is a full cup of Sake, and so, with that said, when in Tokyo, do as the Japs do. Cheers! Beer 

<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;"> 4 stars 1989: Providence - And I'll Recite an Old Myth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-pRPBbm3pw
<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;"> 4 stars 1996: Providence - There Once Was a Night of Choko-Muro The Paradise - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZ29QOnza0


While I don't like Providence as much as I adore Pageant, they're another great band, with another great vocalist (two, rather), with two more symph records I deem essential.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 26 2025 at 10:59
Originally posted by verslibre verslibre wrote:

Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

PROVIDENCE     The phrase "Choku-Muro" (mentioned in the title of Providence's second album) refers to a small Sake cup - where Sake is the alcoholic drink of choice in downtown Tokyo - so I'm guessing these guys (and one girl's) idea of paradise is a full cup of Sake, and so, with that said, when in Tokyo, do as the Japs do. Cheers! Beer 

<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;"> 4 stars 1989: Providence - And I'll Recite an Old Myth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-pRPBbm3pw
<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;"> 4 stars 1996: Providence - There Once Was a Night of Choko-Muro The Paradise - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZ29QOnza0


While I don't like Providence as much as I adore Pageant, they're another great band, with another great vocalist (two, rather), with two more symph records I deem essential.

I agree. I think Pageant are the best of all of the Jap bands I've listened to so far, although I still have Teru's Symphonia and Vermillion Sands to look forward to yet. Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 07:53
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

SAGITTARIAN      It was written in the stars that when a priest, a lawyer, a graphic artist and three students all decided to form a band, they were going to make beautiful music together. Smile

4 stars 1984: Sagittarian - Sagittarian - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQg-sD2WxnM


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 27 2025 at 10:22
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 10:21
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

MOTOI SAKURABA     When he's not busy recording instrumental prog albums, Motoi Sakuraba has a lucrative sideline in producing music for video games, which is maybe not so surprising when even his name sounds like a Japanese motor racing game. Smile

 4 stars 1989: Motoi Sakuraba - Gikyoko Onsou - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsaU7AjgzAI
 4 stars 1996: Motoi Sakuraba - Beyond the Beyond - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxXcmxjAMq4
 4 stars 1997: Motoi Sakuraba - Shining the Holy Ark - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0eniYOmj1vPPaAsVW9wHVFjVnUCgNobv
 4 stars 1999: Motoi Sakuraba - Force of Light - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3pNmcioo4w
 3 stars 2008: Motoi Sakuraba - Forest of Glass - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KlojAJrNlo


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 27 2025 at 11:25
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 12:38
^Japan's Wakeman! I have everything of his.

I highly recommend his 2003 2CD/DVD live document Star Ocean & Valkyrie Profile Live Concert...!


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 14:23
Originally posted by verslibre verslibre wrote:

^Japan's Wakeman! I have everything of his.


I wish I could say I have every one of Wakey's albums but I only have seven so far - his first five albums, a greatest hits compilation and his latest album, A Gallery of the Imagination. At least it's a start. Smile
 
These Japanese prog artists just keep on getting better and better! Thumbs Up
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 14:37
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

I wish I could say I have every one of Wakey's albums but I only have seven so far - his first five albums, a greatest hits compilation and his latest album, A Gallery of the Imagination. At least it's a start. Smile


You need White Rock, Criminal Record, Out There (with the New English Rock Ensemble) and The Red Planet...!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 28 2025 at 06:11
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

SCHEHERAZADE      A Symphonic Prog band with no known connection with Renaissance, despite Scheherazade's founder and dazzling keyboard virtuoso Toshio Egawa having previously been a member of Novela. Scheherazade's histrionic, over-the-top vocalist has to be heard to be believed, bringing back fond memories of Uriah Heep's David Byron at his highest and mightiest. Smile

4 stars 1992: Scheherazade - Scheherazade* - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?

* Only one of four Scheherazade albums currently available on YouTube. Confused
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 28 2025 at 08:41
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

SHINGETSU     The gentler side of Symphonic Prog, Shingetsu (New Moon) were led by Makoto Kitayama, who's been described as sounding like a Japanese Peter Gabriel, although only if you've had Many Too Many drinks. Tongue

 4 stars 1979: Shingetsu - Shingetsu - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJtNSu2VjgE
 4 stars 2016: Shingetsu - From a Distant Star - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_3_TVz8KS8
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Yesterday at 08:09
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

SOCIAL TENSION     Unmistakably Japanese, and unmistakably a tribute to the keyboard wizardry of Keith Emerson & ELP (which stands for "Everybody Loves Potatoes", especially Greg Lake, whose nickname was "Spud"). Smile

 4 stars 1989: Social Tension - MacBethia - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6ml1zRhNns
 4 stars 1990: Social Tension - It Reminds Me of Those Days - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEMSXKQX95s


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - Yesterday at 08:10
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote progaardvark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Yesterday at 08:40
^It was hard tracking down those CDs here in the States, but through perseverance I finally landed both of them about 20 years ago. The original release of their 1990 album misspells Reminds with Remainds. Both great albums and agree that the keyboardist pulled off some cool Emersonian riffs.
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A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

MASAYOSHI TAKANAKA      I'm not sure how this Jazz Fusion album ended up here, but The White Goblin is one of the funkiest, grooviest guitar albums you're ever likely to hear this side of the Sea of Japan. Japanese fusion artist Masayoshi Takanaka (the man behind the Sadistic Mika Band) is a guitarist who's so cool, he plays a guitar in the shape of a surf board, which would even make The Beach Boys envious. True Guitar Madness indeed. Smile 

5 stars 1997: Masayoshi Takanaka - The White Goblin - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdz3leXrRuU

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Yesterday at 09:19
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

SOCIAL TENSION     Unmistakably Japanese, and unmistakably a tribute to the keyboard wizardry of Keith Emerson & ELP (which stands for "Everybody Loves Potatoes", especially Greg Lake, whose nickname was "Spud"). Smile

<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;"> 4 stars 1989: Social Tension - MacBethia - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6ml1zRhNns
<div style=": rgb248, 248, 252;"> 4 stars 1990: Social Tension - It Reminds Me of Those Days - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEMSXKQX95s


These guys were outstanding. MacBethia is required listening for any keyboard-driven prog rock fanatic. Nobuo Endoh is right up there with Motoi Sakuraba, Toshio Egawa, and Keiko Kumagai in my book.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 58 minutes ago at 11:11
A-Z of Japanese Symphonic Prog & Neo Prog

TEE (THE EARTH EXPLORER)    From the Tee to the Green, The Earth Explorer are an instrumental prog band who always hits it straight down the middle, although they have a fairway to go to gain any recognition outside of their native Japan. Stern Smile

 4 stars 2009: TEE (The Earth Explorer) - The Earth Explorer - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lj-JuyCJJdFu4EE6Ns7w-4Km7PlV-Rx-E
 4 stars 2012: TEE (The Earth Explorer) - Trans Europe Expression - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lBvuHBd9CKtoq9R3LKD9a967zji4yo9Ns
 4 stars 2016: TEE (The Earth Explorer) - Tales of Eternal Entities - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_miJU2huWD-GzIv4NWSGG3pcspiKu3rlWI


Edited by Psychedelic Paul - 58 minutes ago at 11:11
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