JUNAOKISSEI

Japanese heavy-fusion rockers Bandvivil present a large number of ideas in their only (so far at least) two-part album Junaokissei of 2004. In total, we deal with almost 70 minutes of music based clearly on improvisation, laid through 16 tracks - which gives an average duration of less than 4.5 minutes; not bad for those looking for multiple expressions of jazz/fusion rock.

With two 'sides' (''Vivid'' and ''Evil'') but no specific change in 'concept', the 16 instrumental tracks tend to be based on a main theme which then gets stretched and elongated via continuous improvisation. A good description of their sound could be a type of free jazz-fusion tuned to heavy progressive forms for the majority of the album. There are exceptions here where they base their main ideas either on purely blues (Eat Triplet) or jazz-blues (San-Byou-Shi). Dominant is the use of semi-distorted guitars with harmonies and methodologies reminding strongly of Rush (not surprisingly, there is a track called To King Rush); this, with the addition of rocking rhythms constitute a considerable percentage of the tracks here, which, nevertheless, maintain a strong heavy fusion character, rightly put into this sub-genre of Progarchives.

The band does not lack ideas and technical prowess but the relentless improvisation along with the very long duration of the album does not give justice to their efforts and may tire the demanding listener, rendering this a good album with some exciting highlights, rather than a cohesive all-around top-level result. For those who like their jazz-rock fusion extended, full of experimentation and certainly on heavy rock/heavy prog foundations, then Junaokissei is for you - as a guide I would suggest the highlights Afro, Seven Spices and Zoo Zoo Da Juju.