COME TO THE EDGE: FLOATING MUSIC

Stomu Yamash'ta is a Japanese composer and multi-instrumentalist who's specialty is vibes, percussion and keyboards. He moved to France in the early seventies and recorded one album before moving to the UK where he recorded most of his seventies albums. On this particular album we get a couple of future BRAND X members in Morris Pert and Peter Robinson, in fact the only track not composed by Stomu is the song "Xingu" which Pert created. Man I've enjoyed this recording so much, it's a it of a grower but the combination of percussion, vibes and electric piano just hits the spot for me.

"Poker Dice" opens with what sounds like chimes as vibes and experimental sounds help out. This is very laid back to begin with. Then the bass joins in after 2 1/2 minutes as electric piano and vibes help out. Drums follow but it's still laid back until it turns louder before 5 minutes. Nice. A change after 6 1/2 minutes as a new soundscape of bass, electric piano and vibes take over, drums too as it builds. Lots of intricate sounds here. It sounds like the theme for "Mission Impossible" after 12 minutes. A change after 14 minutes as drums, percussion, electric piano and growly sounds lead the way. "Keep In Lane" is different from the rest of the songs as we get these crazy vocal expressions to start before the horns(sax, trumpet & trombone) come in blasting while the drums and vibes support. This is jazzy with plenty of horns and busy drum work. Some dissonant horns too as the bass throbs and the drums pound. Check it out after 4 minutes! Those crazy vocal expressions are back around 8 minutes to the end.

The final two tracks were recorded live at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, January 10th 1972. 'Xingu" hits the ground running with random drum patterns and avant horns. Quite experimental until it all stops before a minute and electric piano echoes as percussion and faint sounds help out. The bass before 2 1/2 minutes is impressive then the keys kick in with a full sound before 3 minutes. Drums and percussion dominate 5 minutes in as the electric piano stops for now. The previous soundscape returns after 6 minutes, this is so bright and uplifting. It's just a pleasure the rest of the way especially the distorted keys. Insanity before 12 1/2 minutes to the end. "One Way" is led by flute and relaxed percussion early on then it calms right down around 4 minutes as vibes and percussion lead the way. Check out the bass 6 1/2 minutes in. It's getting intense a minute later with all those percussion sounds. It calms down again and the flute returns around 10 minutes as it stays mellow to the end.

A very solid 4 stars, in fact this was a pleasure.