NEGASPHERE 1985-1986

In comparison with bands like Gerard, Ars Nova, Vienna, Outer Limits, Mugen and Pageant this is a more obscure Japanese progrock band. Negasphere was rooted in the early Seventies but it lasted until 1984 before the band released their interesting debut album Castle In The Air, the only surviving member is keyboard player Kaoru Kawasaki. In 1985 Negasphere released their disappointing, lacklustre second album Disadvantage, then there is silence. Because of a serie of re-releases of Japanese prog between 1970 and 1990 the known Japanese progrock label Made In Japan Records has released this compilation CD in 1991. It contains four songs from 1985 and four songs from 1986. Some songs evoke Kitaro and Mike Oldfield but in general the main inspiration is UK, the keyboardplayer sounds as the second coming of Eddie Jobson! He is very omnipresent along some work on guitar and a short drum solo. A special guest appearance is by Novalis guitarist Detlev Job, did he travel to Japan to join Negasphere for playing one track? Anyway, an interesting album for the Eddie Jobson aficionados but don't expect strong compositions, the focus is on keyboard pyrotechnics.

P.s.: In 2016 the Arcangelo label rereleased this cd, with two bonus tracks (Thrusting-Throug and Keen).

Other more obscure Japanese progrock bands:

Bohemian Symphony Project - Bohemian Symphony (a Freddy Mercury tribute featuring the known musicians Terutsugu Hirayama and Toshio Egawa)

Ishizawa & Co. - Glass Castle

Kanzeon - Kanzeon