Japanese Progressive Rock presented by DamoX

Thank you, Dominic and AmericanProgster!
 

Dominic wrote: Excellent blog Damo  This a fine way for us all to learn about and share our Japanese prog. experiences; i've been quite pleased all the bands recommended so far and have come across some great music that i hadn't even heard yet. Anyways, i suppose i'll toss out a recommendation for one of my fav Japanese prog bands, although a bit more "pop" than most recommended so far: Interpose +            (Truly, i'm surprised that they've received so few reviews considering how well they fit the Eclectic prog genre) http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2395 www.interpose.jp Finnforest wrote: I know very little about the Japanese scene.....BUT......this is one of the very few 5 star ratings I have given around this place.....   http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=164793     ! Wow. This is the best music new music i've heard in a while.  (as to be expected from a RPI Specialist )

Interpose+'s albums are not easy for me to get...although I've realized they can have already got worldwide appreciation.

AmericanProgster wrote: Wow, a lot of great suggestions! But I would definitely go with Ghost and Acid Mothers Temple (and their million side projects that include Acid Mothers in their name).

Acid Mothers Temple (and AMT-related projectS) has released lots of (maybe over 70!) albums for only 10 years.
SORRY can't hear and digest all of them.

Folks, albums recommended here by you I will try and dig as many as possible.
Thanks all!

P.S. Finny, GHOST's live work I can get a few days later.

Wow, a lot of great suggestions! But I would definitely go with Ghost and Acid Mothers Temple (and their million side projects that include Acid Mothers in their name).

There's a live laserdisc out there somewhere of Watanabe with Berlin and Bruford, and it is absolutely STUNNING.....but I don't think it came out of DVD.   

Kazumi Watanabe released two labums with Peter Vettese (Jthro Tull), Bill Bruford and Jeff Berlin.

Jon89 wrote: Merzbow is more noise/electronics than prog

yes, he is

Kenso is another must have

Thanks sinkadotentree, Padraic, and Finnforest!
I'm very very pleased with GREAT REVIEWERS' comments!

sinkadotentree wrote: Damo!!!   There are so many amazing bands from Japan dude. HAPPY FAMILY is a must(both albums),AMYGDALA's latest "Complex Combat" is a huge fav of mine.On their debut they used a drum machine but on this one they asked the drummer from the incredible band ONE SHOT to play.He did!  FAR OUT is another fav.So psychedelic and Krauty,they of course evolved into FAR EAST FAMILY BAND. NAIKAKU has this guitarist who's "lights out" good. KOREKYOJIN's "Arabesque" is another favourite. POCHAKAITE MALKO is a must(any album). If you want to go old school BI KYO RAN's debut hits the spot for me. MONO's "You Are there" is a post rock gem. BONDAGE FRUIT(debut) and RUINS "Symphonica"  are two more outstanding discs.  Have a drink on me Damo!

Your experience about progressive rock is so terrific.
BIKYORAN's eponymous album is one of my favourite ones (and it's a little pity they be thought as a copycat of King Crimson).
In Japan, almost everyone says Kunio Suma's voice is terrible...I do not agree at all!
Shamefully I've not heard every your recommendation yet, sooner I'm gonna dig it.

Padraic wrote: Japan just has an absolutely unbelievable prog scene...terrific blog!

In Japan are many Zeuhl, Avant or Psych artists I feel...
I guess the dawn of Japanese progressive rock scene should be psych or avant related with the drug culture.
Of course, here are lots of Kobaïans!

Finnforest wrote: I know very little about the Japanese scene.....BUT......this is one of the very few 5 star ratings I have given around this place.....   http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=164793

GHOST has stood on very few Japanese stages still now, and most fans say this album should be one of the most fantastic live ones.
I wanna listen to it too...and gonna post my review.

Jon89 wrote: Another must have is Magical Mako or Mako

Hey Jon, Magical Power Mako is a sticker!

Another must have is Magical Mako or Mako

Japan just has an absolutely unbelievable prog scene...terrific blog!

Thank you memowakeman, SaltyJon, and Jon89!

memowakeman wrote: Cool Damo, i like a lot some Japanese prog, right now i would like to suggest this album     This album was the return of this great symphonic prog band from your country, they released Stromatolite in 2007 almost 20 years after their last one, and it was an outstanding comeback, that album was my No.1 album from the 2007 list. I simply love it   Some reviews, including mine here: http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=15112

Your inputs always light my fire, I'm so glad.
Outer Limits is, I think too, one of the most terrific symphonic bands in Japan.
Sadly "STROMATOLITE" I've not heard yet but your recommendation and your brilliant review again could light my fire!

SaltyJon wrote: My knowledge of Japanese prog is fairly limited, though one of my favorite bands is from Japan, Koenjihyakkei - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=121 They're Zeuhl, so a fair warning to you if you've otherwise managed to stay away from the genre. I see now that I'm writing this that you've already listened to one of their albums, still, it never hurts to mention them.

Yep, as you've said, my first Japanese Zeuhl was "NIVRAYM 2009 edition".
My next one was Happy Family's "TOSCCO".
Both are important for my progressive rock experience.

Jon89 wrote: Far East Family Band and Acid Mother's Temple are must haves in your collection.

Wow, haven't seen ya for a long time, Jon89!
ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE is one of the most favourite bands (please see my reviews).
They always shoot noisy, religious, and eccentric albums...those should freeze me strictly.
Speed Guru Makoto Kawabata is a real guru.