KENNEDY!

Kennedy of of the lesser known prog bands from Japan , almost totaly unknown outside their country until Musea re released the second album selftitled from 1988 on CD in 1999. With this re issue the band gain some recognition world wide but they didn't expect to something grandious, only prog collectors heared of them anyway. This second album was a really nice surprise for me, knowing this album for couple of years, I decided now to give some proper listning before come with a review. Very good album, very up tempo, jazz meets prog meets improvisations in some parts, quite good . The band is made from 4 musicians, Kohji Itoh who is responsable as the booklet of the CD said of possible and impossinle sax arrangements, great remind me in places of King Crimson, Juju Kitaoka on keybords, who done some fantastic job here, his keybords is not sounding at all like most of the bands from prog had in that period, plastic and with many digitaly elements, Takasi Yasuda e very very good drumer, he has some most intrsting chops I've heared on a prog band from Japan, very strong and confident on his abilities as musician and last but not least Izumi who's guitar has some very intristing and very well performe parts with jazzy leanings an combined with the keybords is top notch.

So, finaly the music is something as symphonic prog in places not far from UK (Danger money era) with jazzy momemnts, very strong combination here, is enough to hear the superb piece Kremlin dream to see what is all about, definatly my fav from here, outstanding piece, atmospheric with duel keybords guitar in a great manner. Another highlight is Explorer 1958 Alpha with a clear direction to Genesis (Duke era) mostly on keybords, because the rest of the instruments sound little more towards Rush or King Crimson but combined with atmospheric moments.

All album is instrumental so is another high point for them because they has enough room to express them selfs as they wanted and give to the listner some spectacular moments. Definetly a 4 star album to me, no less then great with many great moments who will pleases most of the prog fans, specialy who are more towards UK, Deja Vu (also from Japan), King Crimson in places. One of the most unknown band coming from Japan with 2 solid albums released befor disbanding in early '90's. Recommended for sure