REMERGENCE

Next step for Morita was to revive a proper Quaser line-up and stabilize a core for live performances.He recruited bassist Yusaku Nakatsuhama and experienced drummer Kazuo Katayama, formerly of Mugen and Midas.But in January 95' all activities stopped, after Kobe was struck by a thunderous earthquake, resulting a tragedy of over 6,000 lost lifes and over 150,000 damaged buildings.Months after the shock the resurrection of Quaser continued with the arrival of guitarist Masami Katsuura.Parallel to composing material for a new album the band performed a sum of 10 lives over a span of three years.Second album ''Remergence'' was published in 1999 on Belle Antique.

The positive consequences of establishing a full line-up have been taped on Quaser's second effort, which is by no means a stylistically different album compared to the first one, but the natural instruments and the tight performances by talented musicians are more than evident.The sound comes often like a cross between FOCUS and UK with strong references to Japanese Jazz-Fusion and a guitarist ripping off the ALLAN HOLDSWORTH acrobatics.So this is modern Symphonic-Jazz Rock with some beautiful solos in the vein of JAN AKKERMAN, supported by some laid-back organ patterns, which usually break into fiery Fusion with virtuosic plays and a technical, solid rhythm section.The atmosphere is extremely grandiose at moments with an obvious 70's-sounding pomposity, changing into mechanical, guitar-based technique, led by a jazzy background.Vocals are not bad also, balanced and controlled singing by Morita, which surrounds the nice instrumental ideas of the group.Of course not all things have been fixed in the process through time.The production is rather slick and Morita has not abandoned some of the weak synthesizers of the debut.But in general ''Remergence'' is a step forward for the band, easily swirling around the old, symphonic days of Progressive Rock and the modern, technical Fusion territory.

File next to NATHAN MAHL, WAPPA GAPPA, AIN SOPH and KENSO.Not compared to the best albums of most of the aforementioned groups, but still this is well-played Symphonic-Fusion Prog with plenty of interesting climates.Recommended.