MUSICAL ALUMINUM

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 Shinpei 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 Setuko 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.