GIKYOKU ONSOU

A prolific Japanese musician,born in 1965 in Akita Prefecture, who's career started discreetly with the Symphonic Rock band Deja Vu and their album ''Baroque in the Future'' in 1988.When Deja Vu split up, Sakuraba found a job as a main composer for computer games at the Japanese Wolf Team, a subsidiary of Telenet Japan.In the meantime he wrote material for his first solo album,this was to be released in 1990, entitled ''Gikyokuonsou'' on Made In Japan Records.Sakuraba handles all synths,organ and piano, helped by drummer Takeo Shimoda and bassist Ken Ishita (last bassist of Deja Vu and session musician with Ars Nova).

The debut of Sakuraba finds him blending the familiar symphonic keyboard attitude met in Deja Vu with strong and bombastic Jazz/Fusion and his style is not far from that of JORDAN RUDDESS or DEREK SHERINIAN,though played much earlier than these two American keyboard idols.About half of the tracks are characterized by the powerful synth work of Sakuraba, including grandiose flashes, shifting changes and dynamic grooves with a Fusion edge, always supported by the solid rhythm section.The sound is very rich and even quite heavy at moments.The rest of his compositions remind of his days with Deja Vu.Magnificent keyboard-based Symphonic Rock with massive Classical-inspired parts through the majestic use of piano and synthesizers with evident E.L.P. and RICK WAKEMAN influences, his work on the grand piano still is a trademark of his style and education.Despite being a whole more melodic than the Fusion numbers, his symphonic side remains as powerful and energetic as the Fusion one with virtuosic solos among the softer touches.

Nice instrumental keyboard-drenched Progressive Rock by this important Japanese figure, which will be loved by anyone searching for a good combination between technique and harmony in his progressive preferences.Recommended.