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Japanese Progressive Rock presented by DamoX
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Psychedelic Paul View Drop Down
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Points: 40973 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 23 2021 at 07:16
Originally posted by David_D David_D wrote:

Some other Japanese albums I'm very fond of are:

Far East Family Band - Nipponjin (1975)
Flower Travellin' Band - Satori (1971)
Osamu Kitajima - Benzaiten (1974)
Bi Kyo Ran - Bi Kyo Ran (1982)
I love all of those albums. Thumbs Up
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David_D View Drop Down
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Points: 15234 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 23 2021 at 23:33
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

I love all of those albums. Thumbs Up

Ookaay, happy to hear, how did you become interested in Japanese music, Paul?
                      quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond
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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: November 26 2021 at 03:18
Originally posted by David_D David_D wrote:

Some other Japanese albums I'm very fond of are:

Far East Family Band - Nipponjin (1975)
Flower Travellin' Band - Satori (1971)
Osamu Kitajima - Benzaiten (1974)
Bi Kyo Ran - Bi Kyo Ran (1982)
Good selection David. In Japan Symph, Neo, Crossover progressive is quite popular currently but I think the real Japanese progressive rock history leans towards Heavy Psych. Clap
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EduTatsumi View Drop Down
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Points: 541 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote EduTatsumi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 26 2021 at 23:01
I don't know if it can be considered a prog band, but Casiopea are an amazing Jazz-Fusion band.

Another band I really like is Ningen Isu. A power trio that makes a Heavy Prog mixing Rush, Black Sabbath and a little Metallica. They released a new album this year.
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Necrotica View Drop Down
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Points: 3366 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Necrotica Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 26 2021 at 23:42
They've probably been mentioned somewhere in the thread already, but Malice Mizer have a lot of prog and art rock elements in their sound Smile
Take me down, to the underground
Won't you take me down, to the underground
Why oh why, there is no light
And if I can't sleep, can you hold my life

https://www.youtube.com/@CocoonMasterBrendan-wh3sd
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DamoXt7942 View Drop Down
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Points: 17493 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote DamoXt7942 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 26 2021 at 23:59
Originally posted by EduTatsumi EduTatsumi wrote:

I don't know if it can be considered a prog band, but Casiopea are an amazing Jazz-Fusion band.

Another band I really like is Ningen Isu. A power trio that makes a Heavy Prog mixing Rush, Black Sabbath and a little Metallica. They released a new album this year.
Yeah Casiopea are one of renowned Fusion combos in Japan, not so-called progressive though. Wink
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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: November 27 2021 at 00:00
Originally posted by Necrotica Necrotica wrote:

They've probably been mentioned somewhere in the thread already, but Malice Mizer have a lot of prog and art rock elements in their sound Smile
Malice Mizer have been considered as a Japanese "Visual-Kei" band. I'm not familiar with such visual-kei ones actually ... Embarrassed
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David_D View Drop Down
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Points: 15234 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 02 2021 at 12:12
This is quite a bit off topic, but I'd like to tell that I see a lot of Japanese movies (on Youtube), as I've become fond of them, and I'm interested in Japanese culture compared to the European one. What I seem to have observed is that ethics are very important in Japan, and Japanese people might put more weight on social engagement and commitment, and aestethics, as well.

What I find a pity, though, is that so many Japanese dye their hair, I guess, trying to imitate the Europeans.


Edited by David_D - December 02 2021 at 13:35
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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: December 04 2021 at 20:36
^ Exactly, we Japanese have to value Japanese inherent culture, but the current Japanese culture should be inspired by modern Western ones ... it's a fact indeed.
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Tuzvihar View Drop Down
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Points: 13536 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tuzvihar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 05 2021 at 06:00
Hi, it's not prog but I really like the Japanese band Sabbat. They've been playing black metal for many years already (since the beginning of the 80s). Though maybe their album The Dwelling, which consists of a single, one hour-long track couold qualify as prog?



Edited by Tuzvihar - December 05 2021 at 06:02
"Music is much like f**king, but some composers can't climax and others climax too often, leaving themselves and the listener jaded and spent."

Charles Bukowski
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David_D View Drop Down
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Points: 15234 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 05 2021 at 06:00
Originally posted by DamoXt7942 DamoXt7942 wrote:

^ Exactly, we Japanese have to value Japanese inherent culture, but the current Japanese culture should be inspired by modern Western ones ... it's a fact indeed.

If you're here making a hint to that Japanese culture can be said to have more feudal remains than the European one, I agree (from my socialist perspective).


Edited by David_D - December 06 2021 at 03:27
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David_D View Drop Down
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Points: 15234 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 23 2022 at 10:19

Another Japanese album, I'm fond of, is Bondage Fruit II (1996). Actually, it's one of the few Avant-Prog albums I like - even it can be classified as Zeuhl , as well.


Edited by David_D - January 23 2022 at 10:28
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David_D View Drop Down
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Points: 15234 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2022 at 06:55
Originally posted by David_D David_D wrote:

I haven't been following this thread, so I don't know what has not been mentioned but anyway, I'd like to tell that my absolutely favourite Japanese album is, and has been since the middle of 70's, Stomu Yamashta's Raindog (1975) which also always has been one of mine very most favourite albums in my whole collection. It can allmost get me entirely bananas when I hear it, and I've never got tired of it after all these years - even I didn't hear it in the 80's as that was mostly my mainstream Rock period.

In the year 2000, I got another album of Stomu Yamashta which is Floating Music (1972) on vinyl, and I've heard many times over the years and liked it, but mostly side 1. Today though when I listened to it, it was like I for the first time really got into it, and I found it really great. So tomorrow, I'll certainly hear it again. Smile
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David_D View Drop Down
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Points: 15234 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David_D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2022 at 11:42

I just heard Raindog, as well - as always really exceptional to me.

Damo, can you maybe tell me how popular Stomu Yamashta was in Japan in the 70's?
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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: June 18 2022 at 21:02
Hello, I'm back from the dark world struggling with Covid19 (now working for Covid-related patients in my clinic ... what a tough situation). And let me introduce a duo project founded by my musical mate Yuji MUTO (ex-NEXT ORDER, PLASTIC DOGS).

Yuji MUTO & MIZUKI

Glow (2022) - Yuji MUTO & MIZUKI
Originally posted by dAmOxT7942 dAmOxT7942 wrote:

Really really surprised at their soundscape, to be honest.

The album "glow" released in June 2022 was produced by a twin guitar project Yuji MUTO & MIZUKI. Yuji is already known as a guitar virtuoso with musical diversity like jazz, rock, metal, hardcore, ambient, or something, and has been quite active for launching various projects like Next Order, Palstic Dogs, and some duo improvisational jazz rock projects. He invited another glorious guitarist Mizuki as a partner of the new unit, and the two geniuses created an enchanting album full of unpredictable but comfortable ambience. I've already heard from Yuji that this album was completely kinda fantastic and ambient ensemble but could not believe it in a sudden manner ... assumed there is something heavy or metallic somewhere in this production, actually. But his words are really true, and I pleasantly find his 'greatly ambivalent' guitar technique with Mizuki's wondrous storytelling can grab my heart out strictly.

From the beginning of the first shot "Thaw" calm, fluent, gorgeous phrases are wrapping the audience up. They extend mysterious polyrhythmic sentences around the turf but we cannot feel any awkwardness via them. Sounds like their eye and mind contacts should have perfectly been united and matured. They play such crazy complicated melodic and rhythmic lines in a normal, 'without-struggle' way. The third "Astral", where female hummings are addictive, is also a complex tune but we cannot find any turbulence nor weariness but heartwarming, relaxing atmosphere deeply in it. "Sakura (Cherry Blossom)" has simple repetitive phrases saturated with momentarily dreamy texture. Very monotonous but never boring nor disappointing. We can enjoy slowtempo peaceful quietness plus brilliant mysticism via "20-6", one of my favourite tracks ... let me say this is sorta musical icon of theirs. On the contrary the following one "Caelum" possesses clear, unambiguous guitar-oriented personal touches all around. Also this should be their flavourful flavour, methinks. The last "Beginning" (pretty sweet that they play the song with such a title at the last of this album) makes us feel their primitive positive intention, regardless of calm, easygoing vibes. Every single track involves heartwarming marvelous aroma. Recommended for lots of people tired under such a tough situation.



Thank you for reading this blog.
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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: December 09 2023 at 20:16
Hello folks.

Sorry for my long hibernation. I've been too pressed with my real life and works (especially battles against coronavirus pandemic, some exams, and some presentation on annual meetings) to listen to wonderful music for a long while.

Anyway I'm happy to post a review for one of my favourite albums released in 2023. I hope I can listen to and enjoy more and more music (inc. prog, classical, or so). Thank you.

Groove Study (2023) - Yumi HARA
Originally posted by dAmOxT7942 dAmOxT7942 wrote:

Great really. Yumi says she has recorded, mixed, and produced this album entitled "Groove Study" (this fascinating title reminds me of something like a grand experiment for groove because of my real specialism lol) for 8 years. For every fan, this artistic stuff  was worth waiting for 8 years, let me say. "Groove Study" involves complicated, bouncy, and well-balanced rhythmic stances plus mysterious, chaotic melody lines. We can hear her sincere, serious attitude for sound and style in them. In addition, through the tracks, a natural groove is streaming around us and especially the 'kindness' of her sound construction is oozing all around ... they are the highlights by Yumi HARA.

Brilliant expedition gets started from the first masterpiece "Orlyonok". Exactly complex beats, comfortable vibes, and heavenly surrealistic melodies are synchronized rigidly and perfectly. West African Beat Methods (according to Yumi's words) cannot be imagined via this song but dynamic hyper-dimensional impression is veiling every single audience. You can easily find Yumi kept concentrating to create this magnificent art and exploded her happiness just after completing it. The following "Once Around The World" is another amazing discovery. Such a tough instrumental technique (on both melodic and rhythmic operations) can be enjoyed in a super natural manner. What's happening? The more you listen to her catchy, pastoral timbre, the more confused you get by the timbre. Amazing.

After heavy metallic piano fragments "Fragment Eines Klavierstucks" (this is one of my faves due to intriguing sound layout and arrangement), you are getting obsessed and glued by "Hibernal Suite" featuring Tatsuya YOSHIDA's drumming and Toshiaki SUDOH's bass playing (both of that should be very important for supporting such a fantastic suite). Yumi's pipe organ experiments cannot be beaten by the rhythm section. Religious, chilling soundscape sounds more powerful and vigorous actually. Guess Yumi played this suite along with her imagination that strong animals live calmly but strongly even under hibernation. For the warmth of the sun and snowmelt water. This suite is filled with hope, anticipation and encouragement. "Groove Study Giga Mix" can be thought as one of her culminations on this studio-oriented stage. Improvised destructive piano attachments and speedily stabilized rhythmic temptation will knock you down completely. But it's also true that her sincerity in such a dissonance will salvage you under such a tough situation all over the world.

30 minutes under this creation is pretty dramatic. And Prince (a cat) lying beside Yumi is quite pretty and cool. Would you let me highly recommend this opus? Yes!
Her Bandcamp link is here.


Thank you for reading my blog. Cry


Edited by DamoXt7942 - December 10 2023 at 05:51
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