THE BOOK OF THE DEAD [AKA: REU NU PERT EM HRU]

In 1997 I was lucky to witness a concert from Ars Nova during the annual Pul Festival in the Dutch city Uden. I was blown away by these three Japanese women: small size, GREAT SOUND! Especially bass player Kyoko Kanazawa took my attention because of that giant Rickenbacker bass guitar in those tiny hands. Her hotpants evoked yells like "backstage", progrock remains a man's world! Soon after the European tour from Ars Nova bass player Kyoko was replaced by Ken Ishita because Kyoko was no longer interested in making music with Ars Nova.

On this first CD without her the band had chosen for a concept CD about the Egyptian history. Keyboard player Keiko Kumagai is very omnipresent, she delivers a wonderful and varied sound out of her digital equipment featuring flute, fagot, violins, flageolets and snare instruments like the Japanese koto. But in general Ars Nova their sound keep strong echoes from ELP, UK and Trace (Keiko loves this acclaimed Dutch band from keyboard wizard Rick van der Linden): many bombastic organ waves and sensational synthesizer runs on "Ankh" and "The judgement of Osiris" and beautiful, very sparkling piano work on "Field of Irau" (one of the highlights on this CD).

A STRONG AND PLEASANT KEYBOARD DRIVEN PROGROCK CD!