KENNEDY

I'm considerably surprised this work doesn't have any reviews and also no ratings! It can be due to the fact that Kennedy's other albums aren't really so interesting. And because this effort has been released on a japanese label, what makes it a little more expensive than the medium price of a CD.

I prefer to classify it as a symphonic prog performance, rather than jazz-rock fusion. Even though it's entirely instrumental and has some (few, IMO) jazz influences.

First of all, don't let the dwindled line-up (only three musicians) deceive you. All of them in this album are presenting a wide variety of rythyms, harmonies and tempos. The best part of this opus is its dynamism (sometimes accelerated, sometimes not so much) and the way they shift between instruments with such proficiency and variety.

Second, the programming is very natural and spontaneous, a very rare feature when this technology is used.

Third, there are some similarities to Terutsugu Hirayama's solo work, and above all to Midas, but the way Kennedy here gives a lot of space to all instruments in uncomparable to those two references.

Considering I couldn't find any imprecision(s) or inconsistency(ies); considering I didn't hear until now, after countlesse times, any weaker track(s), which are distributed very wisely; considering the pompous parts aren't superficial or snobby, by the contrary, they get very emotional; considering the smoother snippets are very reassuring:

? I give it a 4.8. I don't consider it perfect just because they could have explored a bit (only a bit) some acoustic executions.

I'd also indicate it as an essential disc to any japanese prog collection.

Long forgotten and unknown short-lived Japanese prog act,led by ex-Dada leader Izumi Mutsuhiko.The band was formed in early-80's after the demise of Dada with Mutsuhiko leaving behind the Electronic territory to explore some synth-driven Fusion field.By mid-80's the rest of the band featured Usami Hitoshi on drums, Ito Koji on sax and keyboardistand Kitaoka Atsushi.Their debut ''Twinkling NASA'' was released in 1986 on King Records with tracks recorded between 1981 and 1985,as a result two more keyboardists are featured on the sleeve notes,Fukami Seiichi and Senba Motoi.Mutsuhiko himself handles all guitars,synthesizers and electronic effects.

With a style of their own,Kennedy offer somekind of synth-based Fusion mixed with some symphonic elements,often interrupted by Mutsuhiko's driving frenetic guitar playing,recalling bands like UK, MONGOL or QUASER.While moving away from Dada's sound,the main composer still insists on some of his earlier's bands elements with Psych/Electronic sounds blended with dominant synthesizers and pounding drums.Despite following mainly an up-tempo style,the band delivers some cosmic atmosphere here and there but this is mostly going into a distorted and dissonant Fusion path with groovy beats.Surprisingly a couple of tracks even contain some nice mellotron waves sufficiently mixed with the overall style,the same thing with the driving saxes on the closing track of the first LP side.Still the production is mediocre and the very plastic sound due to the heavy use of synths,which dominates the album,will not be everybody's cup of tea.

A true Japanese obscurity from mid-80's,which deserves some more fame,especially fans of hard-styled Jazz-Fusion will enjoy this quite a bit.Well-executed and warmly recommended.

Kennedy of of the lesser known prog bands from Japan , almost totaly unknown outside their country until Musea re released the second album selftitled from 1988 on CD in 1999. With this re issue the band gain some recognition world wide but they didn't expect to something grandious, only prog collectors heared of them anyway. This second album was a really nice surprise for me, knowing this album for couple of years, I decided now to give some proper listning before come with a review. Very good album, very up tempo, jazz meets prog meets improvisations in some parts, quite good . The band is made from 4 musicians, Kohji Itoh who is responsable as the booklet of the CD said of possible and impossinle sax arrangements, great remind me in places of King Crimson, Juju Kitaoka on keybords, who done some fantastic job here, his keybords is not sounding at all like most of the bands from prog had in that period, plastic and with many digitaly elements, Takasi Yasuda e very very good drumer, he has some most intrsting chops I've heared on a prog band from Japan, very strong and confident on his abilities as musician and last but not least Izumi who's guitar has some very intristing and very well performe parts with jazzy leanings an combined with the keybords is top notch.

So, finaly the music is something as symphonic prog in places not far from UK (Danger money era) with jazzy momemnts, very strong combination here, is enough to hear the superb piece Kremlin dream to see what is all about, definatly my fav from here, outstanding piece, atmospheric with duel keybords guitar in a great manner. Another highlight is Explorer 1958 Alpha with a clear direction to Genesis (Duke era) mostly on keybords, because the rest of the instruments sound little more towards Rush or King Crimson but combined with atmospheric moments.

All album is instrumental so is another high point for them because they has enough room to express them selfs as they wanted and give to the listner some spectacular moments. Definetly a 4 star album to me, no less then great with many great moments who will pleases most of the prog fans, specialy who are more towards UK, Deja Vu (also from Japan), King Crimson in places. One of the most unknown band coming from Japan with 2 solid albums released befor disbanding in early '90's. Recommended for sure