IN THE WEST

Along with about a thousand other prog fans, I was very fortunate to see these guys play live at the Progfest 2000 festival. KENSO put on one of the most intense, and tight performances I've ever seen live, and although I was completely unfamiliar with their music before that night, the combination of complex fusion-esque guitar work, dual keyboards, Japanese melodies, AREA-like bass work, and a drummer who used his kit like a war machine won us newbies over in a matter of 10-minutes. The band got standing ovations after every composition 15-minutes into their set! In The West is a 1997 live release from a show at the On Air West club in Tokyo, and although their set back then wasn't as smoking as the one at Progfest 2000, they still put on a great show. Their music falls somewhere between fusion and symphonic progressive rock. Try to imagine ICEBERG mixed with an instrumental LOCANDA DELLE FATE. The leader of the band, Yoshihisa Shimizu, is gifted both as a guitarist and a composer. He enjoys creating compositions that alternate between heavy fusion and melodic symphonic prog, and he has an incredible talent for creating memorable riffs, and hooks. Many of his guitar melodies, and compositional themes, are based on Japanese scales, which is unique to hear in the world of fusion. Do yourself a favor and check out KENSO. "In The West" is a perfect place to start.

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Posted Sunday, March 21, 2004 | Review this album | Report (Review #4236)

If you like instrumental symphonic prog (particularly Genesis' "Los Endos") and progressive fusion as performed by Bruford (especially ONE OF A KIND), National Health or Brand X, and if you wish there were much MORE of it, then Kenso's the right band for you!

Kenso are a Japanese band who like to build upon the above-mentioned styles, but only in order to do their Very Own Thing. I'll gladly go even further and point out they're one of the most convincing prog bands to emerge since the 1980s. In my view, their (instrumental) albums are far more interesting than anything Spock's Beard or The Flower Kings have ever done. The only reason for their relative obscurity must be that they are leading fairly reclusive lives in faraway Japan. If I'm not mistaken, their leader (and main composer), Yoshihisa Shimizu, is a dentist.

Hmm... Wonder what heavenly music he pipes into his waiting room?

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Posted Sunday, June 10, 2007 | Review this album | Report (Review #125346)

In the West is a live, studio-ready recording from On the West, Tokyo performances of Kenso in Sep 1997. (After having my PC's Microsoft Word crash three times after this last sentence ? I try and push on and remember exactly what I was going to say, again!) This excellent recording showcases a gr ... (read more)

Report this review (#2582093) | Posted by JazzFusionGuy | Thursday, July 29, 2021 | Review Permanlink

An instrumental, jazzy Yes. I know, I know....that's oversimplifying things. But that was my first impression when I heard this cd (in much the same way that many people have characterized the sound of the group Niacin as "an instrumental, jazzy ELP"). Even though the Kenso sound is proba ... (read more)

Report this review (#119851) | Posted by Squire Jaco | Thursday, April 26, 2007 | Review Permanlink

****1/2 This is a live album that was recorded at On Air West in Tokyo. The band is in great shape and it is expected because Kenso has a reputation of a great live act. The musicianship is simply superb. If somebody doesn't know the music they perform is clearly in the fusion side although occa ... (read more)

Report this review (#44080) | Posted by geezer | Wednesday, August 24, 2005 | Review Permanlink

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