JULY 15, 1972

On my journey through Japanese Prog waters (with guidance of few kind Jap fellow-Prog- sters), I realized that this is something I will have to pass through. I like challenges and so I've tried to do this as honestly as possible.

Results are sporadic, unsure. On one hand, I feel that this isn't the kind of music I normally listen to. But as I said, this is quite common, because the more Prog I listen, the more adventurous (and open-minded) I feel. So not usual stuff, but there are certain elements that cannot be overlooked. So I'm fair (or at least trying to be), so you, dear reader, try to be fair too and don't think instantly that I want to drown this album because it sounds weird and non-conformistic. I certainly tried few times to be as open as possible.

Bunch of weird sounds and noises with a lot of empty (quiet) passages at worst, brave new finding of path through uncommon sound structures, improvization and electronic experimentation at best. This is journey. I'm unsure about album origins (I could have asked, of course).

But certainly better (for me) than Tangerine Dream's Alpha Centauri. Why comparing these two bands ? Because they have a lot in common. Except through Taj-Mahal's music is guidance in form of (ahem) harmonica. Sounds quite interesting and original, I never heard anything like that before, that's for sure. Through first track there are various sounds produced, some of them resembling horse galloping, some undefinable machine shakings, some army drums rattling etc. In this matter, "July 15" works. Or there was wind noise few times.

In originality factor, they would get very high grades, very good ones. However, as album that is intended for listening, this is worse. And sadly, I value this element too. Album that demands listeners attention (full attention) and so I'm giving it. Actually, I won't say that it's unmelodic or dissonant at all, nothing too big. It's weird and impact it made on me is big enough to make me think about this album for the rest of night. Yes, night is good time to listen this music.

Also, I'm not Psych lover by heart (only by curiosity and need to explore more music, various albums, genres, style etc), so I won't like it as Keishiro-san. So I hope this won't offend anybody. This:

3(+), however not bad rating. Actually I like it quite a lot, but I feel that I'm not the right person to evaluate this album.