Japanese Progressive Rock presented by DamoX

Whatever happened, please let me say at first Aburadako and Jagatara are my favourites.
Both of them can support Japanese underground rock scene...though sadly Jagatara had broken up about 20 years before.
About Aburadako I'll introduce maybe next time and...today my recommendation is GOKUTSUBUSHI by Jagatara.



Yeah I wanna say what a wonderful creation this album is!
Jagatara is a Japanese funk and jazz-rock outfit formed in 1979 by Akemi Edo, the key spirit.
(Oh, sure...we Japanese should chuckle at calling them as a jazz-rock band.)



At very first Jagatara was thought as an eccentric band with some cake-and-sodomy performances on stage - coming from Akemi's frank criticism of the dirty society.
Oto joined in 1981 with improving their musical style and ability.
After releasing the first album "NAMBAN-TORAI" Jagatara was appreciated by lots of reviewer (including me :-D).
This "GOKUTSUBUSHI" ("Idler" in English) is the third, and the last album released before Akemi's death.
(On January 27 1990, Akemi died of an accidental drowning on taking a bath.)

The first track "SUPER STAR?" occupies all of the LP's A-side.
Sorry but I can't help weeping for the beginning - plaintive string sounds!
Why? These sounds remind me of Akemi's fierce, heroic but sad life.
A story of a homosexual super star - a dangerous story of his fame and fate - could be sung and producted by Akemi's dry, aggressive voice and powerful instruments.
What should he tell in the suite? I guess the answer be in the last part..."Be reborn, come back, and croon with me, as a previous yourself, A MAN!"
He might sing with telling about a crazy world...of course without pros and cons for gays.
Over 23 minutes is not too long for me. Akemi, you must be a super star!

The second "BIG DOOR" and the last "MUSIC MUSIC" are exactly improvisational songs recorded at only one session.
Funky, freaky, jazzy, and progressive sounds and voices are around them.
The quality of their session(s) might not be so high but at the same time I feel they (particularly Akemi) could do what they think and want to do.
Jagatara be very vivid and lively in this work...then, now, and forever.

Folks, enjoy it, and weep with me.

Thank you for reading this blog. 

Edited by DamoXt7942 - October 10 2013 at 04:03

tamijo wrote: Waiting for this !, please state if lyrics are in Japaneese or not, as im looking for Prog with Japaneese Lyrics, so that i can pick it up next time im in Fukuoka.

Thanks tamijo, you're always supporting Japanese rock and me.
When you come to Fukuoka, Japan, please enjoy Chinese noodle at some sidewalk stands.
And...Japanese Sake or distilled Shochu made in Kyushu are very good.

Anyway, this Jagatara was a band with voices, guitars, percussions, and a heavy brass section.
They had tried to criticise the Japanese society and government in those days and the lyrics show evidently their thought and policy (indeed Akemi's lyrics are almost Japanese and uneasy to understand even for us Japanese).
However, their play itself can let us enjoy, dance and get to be happy.
Highly recommended.

I absolutely love almost everything I've heard out of Japan, favorites include Flat 122, Le Silo, Interpose+, Muddy World, a country that seems to spare no expense when it comes to their prog and fusion

I haven't heard much Japanese Prog, but my current favourite album is japanese: Never Wear Out Your Summer XXX!!!, what a mindf**kblowing album! NuJazz at it's best. Therefore, I'll be reading your blog 100% attentive! 

Also you have to read this:

Cool Damo, i like a lot some Japanese prog, right now i would like to suggest this album This album was the return of this great symphonic prog band from your country, they released Stromatolite in 2007 almost 20 years after their last one, and it was an outstanding comeback, that album was my No.1 album from the 2007 list. I simply love it

Far East Family Band and Acid Mother's Temple are must haves in your collection.

Konchiwa Damo San Ogenki Desu Ka? Its your old friend Moonooffruits96 from Australia from Aural Moon orginally

Damo!!!   There are so many amazing bands from Japan dude. HAPPY FAMILY is a must(both albums),AMYGDALA's latest "Complex Combat" is a huge fav of mine.On their debut they used a drum machine but on this one they asked the drummer from the incredible band ONE SHOT to play.He did!  FAR OUT is another fav.So psychedelic and Krauty,they of course evolved into FAR EAST FAMILY BAND. NAIKAKU has this guitarist who's "lights out" good. KOREKYOJIN's "Arabesque" is another favourite. POCHAKAITE MALKO is a must(any album). If you want to go old school BI KYO RAN's debut hits the spot for me. MONO's "You Are there" is a post rock gem. BONDAGE FRUIT(debut) and RUINS "Symphonica"  are two more outstanding discs.  Have a drink on me Damo!

I know very little about the Japanese scene.....BUT......this is one of the very few 5 star ratings I have given around this place.....