SAMURAI

Banzai! SAMURAI might sound like a far-eastern band from the shogunate land of the rising sun, but in reality, they're as British as a chicken vindaloo curry from an Indian takeaway on a Saturday night. The story of Samurai is a tangled web, because they used to be known as "The Web" during the recording of their first two albums - "Fully Interlocking" (1968) and "Theraphosa Blondi" (1969) - before removing "The" definite article and shortening their name simply to "Web" for their third album "I Spider" (1970). The band were hoping a change of name would change their financial fortunes, but sadly, it wasn't to be and Samurai fell on their swords and disbanded shortly after releasing their one and only self-titled album in 1971. Somewhat confusingly, there was also a Japanese band named Samurai who also released a self-titled album (sub- titled "Green Tea") in the early 1970's. The 1996 CD re-issue of the British Samurai album added five bonus tracks to the original seven songs on the album.

The singer sounds like he's releasing some pent-up aggression on the opening number "Saving It Up For So Long", so watch out, because one gets the impression from this pounding and pulsating Jazz-Rock song that a Japanese shogun warrior might just leap out at any moment brandishing a samurai sword with a shout of "Banzai!". This is assertive, progressive Jazz-Rock with a forceful and belligerent attitude. The song features a pretty mean saxophonist too, combined with a powerful and punchy rhythm section. These guys don't sound like they're in the mood to take prisoners. The weather outlook for our next song is "More Rain" on the way, so it might be time to put those brollies up before we get wet. On the other hand, you could stay indoors and enjoy listening to this cool mellow groove. "More Rain" is so laid-back it's almost falling over backwards. This is cool Jazz to listen to whilst sipping on a daiquiri cocktail out on the verandah with a warm summer breeze blowing through your hair. Alternatively, if you're listening to this cool Jazz number in the middle of winter, you can just bask in the warm glow of the music and dream of those long hot summer days and sultry nights. Either way, "More Rain" is guaranteed not to dampen your spirits, or your ardour, if you're in the mood to get all romantic with your lover. We're off to meet "Maudie James" next and she sounds rather charming if this groovy number is anything to go by. This Jazzy saxophonic music sounds as fresh and full of vitality as a freshly-squeezed lemon, which makes it hard to believe that this album is nearly half a century old now. Yes indeed! It's amazing just how much "new" and original music is out there just waiting to be rediscovered in the modern age of the Internet. The curiously titled "Holy Padlock" is next, which is presumably the type of lock that's used to secure a church. This offbeat Jazz-Rock song sounds a little off-kilter, a bit like a runaway train careering down the tracks that's in danger of becoming derailed at any moment. Yes, Samurai are definitely in wild Canterbury Scene territory here, so be prepared for an improvisational melieu of dynamic sound and inspirational energy. This fast-paced, out-of-control kamikaze song barrels along at such impressive speed, it's hard to imagine it could ever be written down formally in musical notation, but then again, it wouldn't be wild improvisational music if it was written down on paper beforehand.

It's time to "Give a Little Love" now, although don't be fooled by the title because this is no gentle romantic ballad. No, this is a pugilistic percussive wave of thumping Jazz-Rock that hits you straight between the eyes like a sledgehammer. The guitarist is clearly having a blast on this barn-storming number, with his wah-wah pedal evidently cranked up to the max. The dynamic keyboard player deserves a mention too - he sounds like he's pulling out all the stops here to deliver a sonic blast of high octane Rock. Spare a thought too for the saxophonist who delivers a sensational solo with barely enough time to take a well- earned breather. It's time for some gentle reflection now with "Face In The Mirror", an altogether mellower Canterbury Scene- style song, given an extra dose of lively Samurai "Banzai" energy. Sadly, we've reached the final song on the album now with "As I Dried The Tears Away", but there's no need to get out a hankie because this is no romantic refrain. This is a thunderous electrically-charged, eight-minute dynamo blast of Van der Graaf Generator-style Jazz-Rock, only without Peter Hammill's histrionically expressive vocals. The song features some gentler interludes too, so it's not all thunderbolt and lightning, very very frightening. It's a suitably impressive highlight to close the album in grand style on an album that's choc-a- bloc full of great songs.

Samurai have all of the aggressive energy of a Japanese shogun on the warpath. There's no going back now, because this storming band of musical warriors are out on a mission to deliver some thunderously great music with all of the willpower and determination of a kamikaze pilot flying out on his first and last mission. In common with their last album "I Spider", when the band were still known as the "Web", this album is a powerful blend of both Van der Graaf Generator and Hatfield & the North, so if you like those two bands, then there's a good chance you'll like the sonorous sound of Samurai too.