Ain Soph - Studio Live Tracks ’80s and ’05 ($15.99)
Titles are arranged alphabetically with recent additions highlighted in yellow.
Ain Soph - Studio Live Tracks ’80s and ’05 ($15.99) 
The Japanese band Ain Soph released their first album in 1980. They had originally been a Camel and Canterbury-influenced band, but by the time of their 1992 album 5 or 9: Five Evolved from Nine, they had become a progressive fusion band, playing sophisticated, melodic instrumental jazz-rock close to Kenso, if a tad mellower. No one does this style better than the Japanese. This is the 2005 re-edition.
Studio Live Tracks ’80s and ’05 was recorded live in the studio between 1985-1988, plus one new track recorded in 2005. Including the 2005 track, there are three tracks appearing for the first time as studio recordings, plus new versions of three songs appearing on the1986 Hat and Field album and one from 1980’s A Story of Mysterious Forest. These are among Ain Soph’s best compositions.
Ars Nova - Seventh Hell ($15.99) 
Ars Nova - Android Domina ($14.99)
The Japanese band Ars Nova was originally an all-female trio led by their keyboard virtuoso and composer Keiko Kumagai. They have certainly been influenced by ELP, but like the similar Japanese band Gerard, their progressive keyboard rock is heavier, darker and more orchestral, closer to Italian bands such as Goblin and Il Balletto di Bronzo, but heavier than them as well. Ars Nova feature loads of bombastic keyboards and an aggressive energy that frankly could stand to get toned down a bit.
The Goddess of Darkness (1996) is their third studio album, while The Book of the Dead (1998) is their fourth. On their fifth, Android Domina (2001), Kumagai chose to concentrate more on atmospheres and structures rather than high-speed solos and frantic rhythms. Android Domina is more ambitious than their previous albums, with more contrasts, subtle atmospheres and dialogues between keyboards.
For their 2003 concept album Biogenesis Project, Ars Nova added a new dimension by employing numerous guests: Alex Brunori (ex-Leviathan) on vocals, Arjen A. Lucassen (Ayreon) on guitars, Lucio Fabbri (PFM) on violin, A. Hasegawa (Gerard) on bass, M. Goto (Gerard) on drums and guitar, Gianni Leone (Il Balletto di Bronzo) on synths and vocals, Claudio Simonetti (Daemonia, Goblin) on synths, Robert Allen as the storyteller, plus other guests. Ars Nova’s music on Biogenesis Project is more powerful than ever, with more sophisticated arrangements and sci-fi effects, and a lot more variety. Read the Sea of Tranquility and Ground and Sky reviews.
Chrysalis (2005) contains six of the best pieces from their previous albums re-recorded live in the studio (without audience), with the addition of a (male) guitarist who must be the “fourth” referred to in the title. These six pieces have more power in this setting. (As if Ars Nova needed more power.)
Seventh Hell (2009) contains five long pieces in the bombastic Ars Nova tradition, including a 17-minute suite. Hungarian guitarist Zoltan Fabian (Age of Nemesis) and Dutch keyboardist Robby Valentine guest. Even though the album opens with a bit of prog-metal, it ends up being arguably Ars Nova’s best work. Much of it is still frantically-paced -- Ars Nova often play as if they’re trying to finish the piece before the tape or hard disk space runs out. This is the European (Musea) edition. Read the Progressive Ears, Sea of Tranquility, and Proggnosis reviews.
Ashada - Circulation ($15.99) A short (36:26) but great debut by a Japanese female duo of Tae (vocals, mandolin, piano) and Midori (piano, accordion, vocals) with the assistance of KBB members Akihisa Tsuboy (violin) and Dani (bass), plus a guitarist and a drummer. Circulation (2006) opens with driving symphonic rock in 7/4 time with accordion and violin in the lead, setting the stage for this out-of-the-ordinary album. The female vocals are an important feature of Ashada’s music. Sung in Japanese, they fall melodically and harmonically between the Renaissance or October Project style and the unique Hatfield and the North (Northettes) style. Circulation is an exquisite and romantic progressive rock album, with the male musicians ensuring it isn’t lightweight and the women doing all the writing and providing refinement and delicacy.
Asturias - In Search of the Soul Trees ($15.99) The Japanese progressive rock band Asturias was founded in 1987 and released three studio albums: Circle in the Forest (1988), Brilliant Streams (1990), and Cryptogram Illusion (1993). Ten years after disbanding, the related band Acoustic Asturias was formed, with classical musicians rather than rock musicians. In 2008, the electric version of Asturias returned with In Search of the Soul Trees, featuring the original lineup plus guests from the bands Shingetsu, Lu7, Flat122, and Acoustic Asturias. This new album contains two long tracks (23 and 27 minutes), each divided into five parts. It is fairly obviously inspired by Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells and rivals it in quality. In fact it’s probably fair to say that In Search of the Soul Trees is closer in sound and spirit to the original Tubular Bells than Oldfield’s own Tubular Bells 2. (Oldfield’s subsequent Tubular Bells III and The Millennium Bell were Tubular Bells in name only.) A gorgeous work that makes one hope Asturias still have a few more albums in them.
Acoustic Asturias - Bird Eyes View ($12.99) Asturias is a band from the first generation of the Japanese progressive rock scene, and their earlier studio albums are superb, in a style close to Mike Oldfield and Camel, with beautiful melodies and atmospheres. Acoustic Asturias is their acoustic alter-ego. Bird Eyes View (2004) offers five acoustic pieces with a line-up of piano, guitar, glockenspiel, violin, and clarinet, plus female voice on one track. It’s absolutely exquisite, delicate and refined music with joyful atmospheres. The musicians are skilled classical players, and their brand of chamber music sometimes recalls Debussy’s or Satie’s most melodious pieces, with a more modern rhythmic approach. The disc is only 25-minutes long, hence the lower price, but there is not one boring minute among the 25.
Baraka - Inner Resonance ($15.99) 
Baraka are a Japanese guitar/bass/drums trio who have released six previous albums dating to 1997 and who have performed live many times. Baraka play fusion-flavored progressive hard rock, generally melodic, with the primary influences seemingly Rush, Allan Holdsworth (circa Metal Fatigue), and King Crimson. The musicians are technically skilled and constantly vary things to keep it more interesting than your average power trio. Lush synth pads are used at times to broaden the sound palette. On VII (2007, 56-minutes), the 20-minute suite Bharmad is the highlight. Shade of Evolution (2008, 56-minutes) is their eighth and Inner Resonance (2010) their ninth.
Being & Time - same ($11.99) “Being & Time is a Japanese duo consisting of Fuyuhiko Tani playing guitar, guitar synths and keyboards, and Hiroshi Tsukagoshi on bass guitar... This is fusion, very much along the lines of Bruford or the first UK album, both of whom are acknowledged as influences by the band. Perhaps the oddest thing about the band is, despite sounding like two bands for whom Bill Bruford was the drummer, this band has no drummer. That’s not to say there’s no drums, but these appear to be programmed drums, though whether on a fancy drum machine or using a computer is unknown. But I must say they’re some of the best programmed drums I’ve ever heard, and if I hadn’t seen their YouTube videos of just the two of them performing, I’m not sure I would have realized this wasn’t a band with a real (and real good) drummer. While this renders their live performances (which I’ve only seen on YouTube) a bit on the flat side, it doesn’t detract from the quality of their debut CD in the least. In fact, the CD is an album of excellent instrumental fusion, and deserves the attention of anyone who likes Bruford, UK or Allan Holdsworth.” [Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock (Fred Trafton)]
Cinema - Mindscape ($14.99) Cinema was formed by ex-members of Fromage, a famous Japanese band of the 1980s who released two albums before disbanding. Cinema are an excellent example of Japanese symphonic progressive rock, a survivor of a style prevalent in Japan in the late 1980s and early 1990s but less so now. They feature female vocals in an operatic style and a violin/viola player in addition to keys, guitar, bass, and drums. Mindscape (2005) is their third album and shows the greatest maturity. With an additional violin player and cellist as guests, this album is their most classical sounding. Sometimes it sounds as if Cinema are about to launch into Pachelbel’s Canon, but most of the material features lyrical electric guitar over mid-tempo symphonic chord progressions from the keyboards. Cinema’s neo-classical slant here is fairly unique among progressive rock bands. Lyrics are in Japanese, though the album is heavily instrumental.
Into the State of Flux (2000) is Cinema’s second album. On this album, they employ three potential keyboardists, female vocals in an operatic style, and a violin player in addition to guitar, bass, and drums. Lyrics are in Japanese with English translations in the booklet, though some of the vocals are wordless. The mini-LP edition is the 2010 limited edition released by the MALS label under license from Musea, which comes in a heavyweight gatefold cardboard sleeve.
Deja Vu - Baroque in the Future ($15.99) This is the CD reissue of the 1988 album from a great Japanese prog band heavily influenced by UK (Danger Money lineup), with two bonus live tracks. The music is dominated by the keyboards of Motoi Sakuraba and has more instrumental passages than vocals (which are in English). The band became quite popular and the album sold well in Japan during what was the heyday of Japanese sympho-prog.
Discus - Tot Licht! ($15.99) Tot Licht!, the second album by this Indonesian prog/fusion band, mixes so many disparate styles that everyone is guaranteed to find something incredible, and everyone is guaranteed to find something that annoys them. Discus’s music combines jazz, rock, progressive and symphonic rock, ethnic Indonesian music, and hard rock in a musical fusion never heard before. In the same song, you’ll think of Zappa, Dream Theater, Kansas, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Indonesian music, King Crimson, and Debussy, all skillfully structured and played. Sax, violin, flute, and ethnic instruments are mixed with traditional rock instruments. Tot Licht! features more heavy passages than their first album. Complex polyphonic female and male vocal parts complete this unique album.
This is the MALS label edition of 1st, the 1999 debut CD by Discus. “The first and last tracks are worth the price of the disc alone: true progressive rock with gamelan understructures, themes and instruments. Discus features no less than eight members: reeds, violin, two keyboardists, drums, bass, and multi-instrumentalist/leader Iwan Hasan, who plays guitars, 21-string harp-guitar, Balinese & electronic percussion and shares lead vocals with female vocalist Nonnie. Of course, not everyone plays on every track, which gives the disc a good sense of variety and balance... Overall, this is an extremely strong debut that proves there’s still plenty of fertile territory within the confines of progressive rock. Best of the year stuff; this one gets my highest recommendation.” [Exposé] Also read the Prog Archives, EER-Music, and Ground & Sky reviews.
East Wind Pot - same ($13.99) East Wind Pot is a Japanese band led by the keyboardist from the band Theta and also including woodwinds, bass and drums. Their 2006 debut is instrumental progressive jazz-rock, no doubt influenced by Weather Report. The music is melodic, intricate, and further evidence that the Japanese are currently producing the best jazz-rock bands in the world.
Fantasmagoria - Day and Night ($15.99) Fantasmagoria play ‘violin progressive’ because it says so right on the CD cover. Specifically, Fantasmagoria are a Japanese instrumental progressive rock band led by female violinist Miki Fujimoto. She moved to the United States at age 11, majored in classical violin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studied at music schools in Spain and finally Japan where she formed this band, which also includes guitar, keyboards, bass and drums. Day and Night (2009, 59-minutes) is their debut studio CD and it is phenomenal. You can think of instrumental Curved Air or KBB, but Fantasmagoria play with tremendous energy, like Vanessa-Mae on steroids and HGH. If you like progressive rock with violin as the lead instrument, this is essential.
Flat122 - Kagerou ($15.99) Kagerou (2009, 73-minutes) is the follow-up to Flat122’s excellent 2005 debut The Waves. While The Waves was an energetic album close to Kenso, Kagerou is a less extroverted album but casts its net wider, somewhat along the lines of the later Isildurs Bane albums. On both of their albums, Flat122 show an avant-garde aspect similar to bands such as Cartoon, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, or Miriodor. Kagerou is still primarily instrumental symphonic fusion but is more strongly 20th century classical, with a chamber music element that overlaps with some of the RIO bands. The addition of some accordion is a welcome touch. It wasn’t the expected follow-up to The Waves but is perhaps even more impressive. Read the Proggnosis review.
Free Love - Apocalypse ($15.99)Free Love is a primarily instrumental Japanese quartet (keys, guitar, bass, drums) playing heavy psychedelic progressive rock, influenced by Led Zeppelin (the album includes what is supposedly a cover of Kashmir), Deep Purple, and Uriah Heep. Except for the final track (which degenerates into noise), it’s all more progressive and spacey than that though, with keyboards playing a prominent role. It’s fortunate the album is mostly instrumental as singer would not be our first choice of career for Hiroaki Shibata. 61-minutes.
Gerard - Sighs of the Water ($15.99) This trio (keyboards/bass/drums), formed in the early 1980s, is the oldest Japanese prog band still active (unless they aren’t still active). Gerard have often sounded like ELP playing hard rock, combining bombastic keyboards (sometimes employing an electric guitar sound), powerful bass occasionally used for lead lines, and a high-energy drummer.
On The Ruins of a Glass Fortress (2000), Gerard sound very much like Danger Money-era UK. They even allow themselves a few peaceful moments that contrast nicely with the power-sympho rock going on most of the time. Well-balanced and structured, these five instrumental pieces plus two songs with a new singer (lyrics in English) are the most mature the band has composed to date. Sighs of the Water (2002) uses guest vocalists and continues in a similar vein.
Tadashi Goto - Soundscape ($14.99) The short description of Tadashi Goto’s Soundscape (2005) would be ‘a one-man Kenso’. Tadashi Goto is a Japanese musician (keyboards & guitar) with the great technical skills we’ve come to expect from Japan, and this album is in the symphonic jazz-rock style the Japanese excel at. It might be best to forget all your preconceptions about one-man projects, except for one. The drums here are programmed. However, the programming is so detailed that, if anything, Goto needs to scale back the busy drum parts in places. So it isn’t the programming that gives it away but rather the sterile-sounding drum samples. They sound like the stock sounds of a drum machine, a shame when there are better-sounding drum sample libraries available today. Aside from that, the music is sophisticated and highly-arranged. And it gets heavy and aggressive, with distorted guitar at times on top of all the keyboards. Note Goto’s second CD Innervisions is quite different, more in the Derek Sherinian style.
Group Therapy - Nightmare in the College ($15.99) 
Group Therapy is a six-man Japanese progressive fusion band. They use soprano sax and trombone in addition to a dual electric guitar, bass and drums lineup. One guitarist adds guitar synth. It pretty much adheres to the unwritten rules of jazz-rock, emphasizing groove and taking turns at soloing, though the sax and trombone introduce an RIO element and the guitarists seem influenced by Frank Zappa. Melatomania is their 2002 studio album. Nightmare in the College (2006) is a live album recorded in 2004, with excellent sound. If not for the applause between songs, you might not know it was live. Here they add a seventh musician on electric violin.
Interpose - Indifferent ($15.99) Interpose are one of the best Japanese progressive bands to appear since the 1980s (the peak years for progressive rock in Japan). These musicians have played together at regular intervals since the 1980s, but they didn’t release their self-titled debut CD until 2005. Interpose present a very symphonic progressive jazz-rock, blending the symphonic rock of Outer Limits and Pageant with the jazz-rock of Six-North and KBB. The music is highlighted by the virtuosity of guitarist Kenji Tanaka and the beautiful female vocals (in Japanese) of Sayuri Aruga. Dani from KBB is the bassist. Indifferent (2007) is their 2nd CD. In addition to their symphonic influences (Genesis, ELP, Italian prog), Interpose show a strong Canterbury influence here, particularly Hatfield and the North. As has come to be expected of the Japanese bands, the level of musicianship is very high.
Kalo - Spiral Dream ($15.99) Spiral Dream (2004) is the debut by Kalo, a relative newcomer on the Japanese progressive rock scene. Like Wappa Gappa or Mizukagami, the band of guitarist/keyboardist Masahiro Uemura faithfully carries on the tradition and spirit of earlier Japanese progressive rock bands such as Novela, Outer Limits, or Magdalena. Female vocalist Miori Naritomi’s crystal-clear voice (lyrics in Japanese) beautifully enlivens three of the twelve tracks; the album is more instrumental than vocal. Unlike earlier Japanese symphonic bands such as Teru’s Symphonia or Marge Litch, Kalo is not over-the-top bombastic. This is much more tasteful and relaxed, full of romantic, classically-influenced keyboard parts, like a cross between Camel and Vangelis. 58-minutes.
KBB - Proof of Concept ($15.99)
KBB - Lost and Found ($14.99) KBB, a Japanese band formed in 1992, released their first album Lost and Found in 2000. Seven instrumental pieces, ranging from 6 to 13 minutes, reveal a major band and an exceptional violin virtuoso. Think of Jean-Luc Ponty, UK, and Darryl Way’s Wolf, as KBB mix progressive rock, some jazz-rock, and even a bit of traditional Japanese inspiration in some of the melodies.
Four Corner’s Sky (2003) takes a big step in the direction of instrumental progressive jazz-rock. Think of Jean-Luc Ponty teaming with King Crimson and Mahavishnu Orchestra. Some of this is reminiscent of violin-led instrumental Caravan, while the first track includes some of the most powerful Celtic folk-rock ever recorded. Powerful, dynamic, and enthusiastic, violin-led instrumental progressive rock and fusion doesn’t get much better than this.
The 72-minute Live 2004 CD captures KBB live at the Silver Elephant club in Tokyo, with excellent sound. Two tracks are from Lost and Found, four from Four Corner’s Sky, plus the unreleased track Inner Flames. Proof of Concept (2007) sees the band further expanding their repertoire and demonstrating that, in the realm of symphonic progressive jazz-rock, KBB have few peers.
Kehell - Galileo ($15.99) 1999 Japanese fusion-oriented progressive in the Kenso and Brand X veins, led by the former guitarist of Mr. Sirius.
Kennedy! - Kennedy! ($15.99) Reissue of a 1987 album by a Japanese quartet (guitars, keys, sax, drums) playing instrumental symphonic progressive and a very rock-based fusion. This is allegedly recorded live, though you’d never know it as there is absolutely no crowd noise. Kennedy liked to play loud, fast, and energetic, and were not shy about going completely over-the-top during the solos. (At one point, as the sax spirals out of control, Godzilla apparently attacks the band on stage.) The pieces are generally quite structured though, with keyboards dominating; this is more accessible than it might sound. A cover of The Mahavishnu Orchestra’s Birds of Fire is included.
Kenso - AYR DVD ($36.99)Kenso, an instrumental band, are for many the best band Japan has produced, their chops matched only by their compositional talents. Their early 1980s albums blended progressive rock with fusion and still stand as the best examples of this style in the world. AYR is the band’s second DVD (NTSC/all-region/stereo) which, though pricey, is still a lot cheaper than their first DVD. AYR combines 2003 live footage with some interviews with English subtitles.
Lu7 - Efflorescence ($15.99) Lu7 are a Japanese instrumental progressive jazz-rock band whose first album Efflorescence (2002) had previously been released only on the old mp3.com. Now it is available on CD with a 2006 bonus track. This is symphonic jazz-rock, on average lighter than their 2nd CD L’esprit de l’exil, with sophisticated and unconventional programmed drums/percussion. For the most part, the programmed percussion is not intended to mimic a drummer, and it gives the music a different feel than could be achieved with a drummer. The guitarist plays electric guitar in the Allan Holdsworth style but also jazz-tone guitar in the Pat Metheny style. This is what soft jazz-rock should be, and as the album progresses, it gets more energetic and more symphonic.
Magdalena - Magdalena ($15.99) This is the reissue of the 1986 sole album from a Japanese symphonic progressive band sporting quality female vocals from Megumi Tokuhisa, who can sound a bit like Kate Bush; she went on to join Teru’s Symphonia after Magdalena disbanded in 1988. This is one of the best examples of the 1980s Japanese symphonic rock style, simultaneously complex and accessible, blending powerful playing with beautiful melodies.
Midas - Beyond the Clear Air ($15.99) SALE!
Midas is a Japanese symphonic progressive band centered around keyboards and violin. Beyond the Clear Air (1988) is their first album and their classic. It had been out-of-print for years prior to this 2009 reissue. “Beyond The Clear Air is certainly one of the better late-80s Japanese symphonic albums. If you’re familiar with bands such as Teru’s Symphonia, Pageant, Mr Sirius, and especially Outer Limits, then you’ll have a good idea of Midas’ contemporaries. The Outer Limits comparison is important due to the violin; Midas’ music is dominated by their excellent violinist as well as many of the keyboard sounds. The music is richly symphonic with a definite Genesis edge - the keyboard patterns are solidly within the Banks/Kelly/Orford style yet occasionally break out into Wakeman/Watkins like soloing. The vocals are similar to many of the Japanese groups of the time with male vocalists, decent, yet a bit shaky at times. With four tracks (two of them very long) and a lengthy bonus track, this is a very nice reissue that most into symphonic or neo styles should certainly like.” [Exposé] Here is a video of Midas performing a song from this album in 1988.
25th Anniversary Concert & Early Rare Tracks includes a live concert recording from October 2008 in Osaka plus four unreleased tracks recorded between 1983-1987.
Their fourth album International Popular Album (2000) is a bit different from the other Midas albums, as it focuses on 4-5 minute keyboard-based songs with male vocals in Japanese, lighter and easier going than usual. It seems to be more of a solo album of the band leader with the other band members acting as session musicians.
Minoke? - P.P.A.C.K. ($15.99) P.P.A.C.K. (2011, 64-minutes) is the third album for this mostly-instrumental Japanese band playing progressive and sometimes symphonic jazz-rock. The line-up is keyboards, tenor & soprano sax, bass & Chapman Stick, and drums, plus guests on violin, flute, and trumpet. The Japanese do this style extremely well, the music very intricate and highly structured. It’s not all fusion though, as one song features female vocals and Celtic melodies, while another has wordless female vocals, European folk melodies, and a tribal/ritualistic feel in the rhythm section. YouTube has the song Mummy’s Horn.
Mizukagami - Yugake ($15.99) Though Mizukagami’s self-titled debut album is from 2003 and their second Yugake is from 2007, they operate in the same territory as the female-vocal Japanese symphonic bands of the 1980s and early 1990s such as Pageant and Providence. Influenced by the major British 1970s prog bands, Mizukagami’s symphonic rock balances tension and serenity and features female vocals in Japanese, vintage keyboards, excellent guitar work and flute. The female vocalist is more capable during the mellower passages where her voice can be beautiful, but is less suited to singing with power.
Naikaku - Shell ($15.99) Shell (2006, 61-minutes) is the second CD for Japanese instrumental band Naikaku. On this album, they are primarily a quartet of electric guitar, flute, bass and drums. They often sound like Rush jamming with a flute player, with elements of jazz-rock, King Crimson, and prog-metal included. A guest musician adds some synths and Mellotron. If nothing else, this album is notable for having the longest song title known to man.
Netherland Dwarf - Moi Moi ($15.99) The label’s description, sort of: Netherland Dwarf is a one-man progressive rock project from Tokyo. The music is similar to classical symphonic keyboard rock such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Ekseption. Using the latest technology, Netherland Dwarf produces colorful, heavy, vintage 1970s prog that is actually quite unique. There is an album montage on YouTube.
Outer Limits - Stromatolite ($15.99) Misty Moon (1985) is the CD reissue of the best album from one of the top Japanese symphonic progressive bands of all time. Outer Limits are probably the most famous and influential of the 1980s Japanese progressive trend, as they succeeded in developing an original style while many others were just imitating the British and Italian 1970s bands. Outer Limits’ style is dominated by soaring violin parts and symphonic keyboards. They aren’t directly comparable to anyone, but if you crossbred UK (the tracks with Eddie Jobson on violin) and Renaissance (minus the female vocals), tossed in some King Crimson and PFM, you’d be in the ballpark. Their male vocals are respectable -- one can easily understand the English. They sometimes sound a bit John Wetton-ish.
Stromatolite should be the progressive musical event of 2007: the return of Outer Limits. The lineup is the original one except for a new bass player. After nearly two decades, it’s really exciting to once again hear the incredible violinist Takashi Kawaguchi, seemingly able to play anything: soft, wild, lyrical, quiet, tortured or enthusiastic. It’s not a typical comeback album, as these compositions are among their best ever, inspired and faithful to Outer Limits’ style. Yes, this album is on the same level as Misty Moon, but it doesn’t simply retread the same ground -- there is a definite progression.
Pale Acute Moon - Newtopia ($15.99) This is the CD reissue of a Japanese symphonic progressive rock album from 1985. Pale Acute Moon have female vocals and are comparable to Teru’s Symphonia, Marge Litch, Starless, and similar 1980s Japanese bands. They’re more tasteful and closer to Renaissance than the others in that bunch. Eight bonus tracks are included which are in the style of David Sylvian.
Presence of Soul - Blinds ($15.99) Blinds (2008, 58-minutes) is the second album by a Japanese band led by a female singer/composer/multi-instrumentalist. The music is in a progressive post-rock vein similar to Godspeed You Black Emperor, Sigur Ros, Mogwai, and Anekdoten, deliberately contrasting grungy, over-distorted guitar with delicate elements such as Mellotron and ethereal female vocals (in both Japanese and English). The music slowly evolves from mournful, quieter atmospheres into an intense, violent musical maelstrom.
Quaser - Delta Flux ($15.99) The Japanese band Quaser traces its roots to 1976, but their first album appeared in 1994. Their fifth album Delta Flux was recorded between 2006-2009 though not released until 2011. A violinist guests. Always influenced by ELP and UK, on this album Quaser include an arrangement of Prokofiev’s The Enemy God, as Carl Palmer did on Works Volume One. That’s only part of their sound however, as Quaser cover much more prog ground, including some flowing, mellow songs (something bands such as Ars Nova or Gerard never could). Quaser feature male vocals in Japanese. While some Japanese vocals present a problem to western ears, there’s no issue here as the vocals are mellifluous, comparable to those of Outer Limits. There are some nods to modern tastes, but by and large this is a classy album of 1970s style symphonic prog. YouTube has the song Wild Ocean.
Qui - Qui ($15.99) Qui are a Japanese progressive fusion quintet of guitar, flute, bass, drums and percussion. This self-titled 2008 CD is actually their second, another joint release of the Poseidon and Musea labels. The music is of course instrumental, beginning in a mellow jazzy vein and becoming more frenetic later on, with the lead work shared between flute and guitar.
Ring - The Empire of Necromancers ($15.99)Ring is one of the oldest Japanese progressive bands. This 2006 release contains a 1975 live-in-the-studio recording by Ring, followed by two tracks by the related band Kokubo Synthesizer Works recorded in 1977-78 with drum tracks added in 2006. Both bands are primarily instrumental, using a standard keys, guitars, bass & drums lineup. There are some male vocals in Japanese, though the reverb Ring used on the vocals was probably never intended to be used on vocals. Ring strikes us as being very close to certain spacey French progressive bands of the same period, especially Pulsar, as Ring was also influenced by the earlier, psychedelic Pink Floyd. Kokubo Synthesizer Works moves the style forward a few years, bursting out into energetic passages that remind us of the French band Tiemko, who KSW predates by many years. This is probably not for those who were born too late for the first generation of progressive rock bands, but for those who grew up with unusual sounds being coaxed out of organs, this is a valuable find.
Sagittarian - Sagittarian ($15.99)“Sagittarian is one of the more obscure Japanese symphonic bands, perhaps because the original Aries Records pressing of their sole album was only of a few hundred copies. It is also one of the least remarkable Japanese releases, in good and bad alike. A line-up of drums, bass and two guitarists and keyboardists plays the kind of melodic, straight-forward symphonic rock that has its influences in prime Camel, Genesis and Novalis without actually nicking anything from any of them. The timbral palette is geared more towards early-1980s electronics than those of their paragons, and especially rhythmic complexity is somewhat diminished in comparison. Yet the emphasis is on instrumental work, not extended pop song structures as with the neo-progressive rock (there are some politely neutral vocals on a couple of the tracks). The playing and writing are good, just not terribly original or stirring. Occasionally the music does take nicely to flight, especially when they overlay two solo lines, usually on synthesizer and guitar, and use the interplay to build up to a satisfying instrumental climax. It’s a nice album overall, just not for those who measure the quality of music by its offensiveness.” [Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock]
Shingetsu - Live 25.26 July 1979, ABC Kaikan Hall Tokyo ($15.99)The greatest activity in progressive rock in Japan occurred during the 1980s, represented by bands such as Gerard, Outer Limits, Pageant, etc. Just prior to that, there were a few lesser-known Japanese prog bands, and the best of them was Shingetsu. They released an early-Genesis influenced album (self-titled) in 1979 that still stands as one of the very best Japanese prog records ever. This live CD (digipack) allows the listener to hear Shingetsu on stage, a month after the release of their debut album.
Show-Yen - Show-Yen ($15.99) This is the 2003 debut by a Japanese instrumental guitar/bass/drums trio. As you might expect, this is guitar-oriented progressive rock and progressive hard rock. Very competent, just nothing you haven’t heard before. Many, many times. Only you can decide whether you need another guitar/bass/drums album. 56-minutes.
Side Steps - Alive II ($15.99)
Side Steps - Out and Out ($15.99) This Japanese instrumental progressive jazz-rock band was formed in 1990 by its four current members (guitars/bass/keys/drums) and has released nine albums. We’ve said it elsewhere but it bears repeating: Japan is producing the best fusion bands in the world. Comparable to Kenso and Brand X, Side Steps play adrenaline-pumping melodic fusion with symphonic keyboards, blazing keyboard solos, soaring electric guitar lines with great tone, a top-notch rhythm section, and great production. They’re not quite as progressive as Kenso but they come close. These long, complex instrumental pieces are not demonstrative but rather make use of refined melodies and frequent rhythm and mood changes.
Steps on Edge is their fourth, initially released in 1994 and re-released in 2003. The musicians look so young in the 1993 photos in the booklet, you would never expect this level of compositional ability, let alone technical skill. Points of View is their 2001 release, while Out and Out is from 1997. Verge of Reality (2005) is another great one, very melodic and high-energy, blurring the distinction between progressive rock and jazz-rock. Side Steps often sound like a cross between Kenso and early Camel on this one.
Alive II (2007, 69-minutes) features eight tracks recorded live on three separate dates in 2006 and 2007. This is the best way to hear Side Steps. Their energy level live is incredible and the sound is studio quality. There are only about eight people in the audience and they’re kept from going near any microphones, so audience noise never intrudes. Kenso better start looking over their shoulders. (After clicking the mp3 icon above, you may need to click on “discography”. Stay on the Japanese site; at the time of this writing, the mp3 clips do not appear on the English site.)
Social Tension - It Reminds Me of Macbethia ($15.99) Social Tension is a Japanese ELP and UK-style trio that released two great albums: Macbethia in 1989 and It Reminds Me of Those Days in 1990. This CD comprises all of Macbethia and a large portion of It Reminds Me of Those Days. The music is mostly instrumental, with some decent vocals in Japanese. If you like bands such as Ars Nova or Gerard, this is better.
Starless - Song of Silence / Wish ($14.99) This is the CD reissue of a 1992 album plus a 1992 EP (77-minutes total) from this Japanese symphonic prog band with female vocals. Starless are similar to the other Japanese prog bands with female singers of that era such as Teru’s Symphonia, Marge Litch, etc., but Starless are not so over-the-top as those bands and so may be a better place to start for the uninitiated. Read the DPRP review. This is the MALS label edition.
Strings Arguments - The Encounter ($14.99) Strings Arguments is three members of the Japanese band Six North (guitar, bass, drums), the violin player of the band KBB, and guitarist Hirofumi Okamoto. The Encounter was recorded live in 2002. This is instrumental fusion firmly in the Mahavishnu Orchestra style, a mix of improvised and composed music. 70-minutes.
TEE - The Earth Explorer ($15.99) The Earth Explorer (2009) is the debut studio CD by a Japanese instrumental quintet (flute/keys/guitar/bass/drums). TEE began as a European progressive rock cover band, and we’re talking about the classic 1970s bands. The music is melodic, lively, colorful 70s-style progressive rock with flute in the lead, naturally suggesting Camel, Focus, and Solaris at times. There is also a jazziness that brings some tracks closer to Kenso or Canterbury style. TEE have absorbed their influences well, so that they never sound like they’re copying any one band. This CD is a breath of fresh air.
Teru’s Symphonia - Clockworked Earth ($15.99) Clockworked Earth is the 1993 album by this long-lived Japanese symphonic progressive band led by guitarist Terutsugu Hirayama, formerly of Novela. Teru’s Symphonia are very symphonic, with rock guitar and female vocals in Japanese. The singer has an excellent voice; if the Japanese lyrics are a stumbling block for you, don’t worry as there’s plenty of instrumental work. It’s larger-than-life orchestral bombast, loveably over-the-top, a guilty pleasure for the symphonic prog fan.
Theta - Seeds of the Dream ($15.99) Theta is a Japanese band fronted by Yoko Royama, the female singer from Vermilion Sands. She also had a solo album released in Japan. She sings in both Japanese and English, and is joined by a keyboardist, bassist, and drummer, while adding flute herself. This 2000 album reveals a mature symphonic rock, in the same vein as Vermilion Sands (check for their CD below), who were in turn influenced primarily by Renaissance. In fact, Vermilion Sand’s keyboardist guests, as well as two violinists and two guitarists. The music is romantic and melodic, delicate and refined.
Tsuki-usagi - Tsuki-usagi ($15.99) Tsuki-usagi are a Japanese band in the Genesis/Camel camp, playing bombastic symphonic prog with slightly operatic female vocals in Japanese. This is their 2011 debut CD, very much in the tradition of Pageant, Magdalena, Marge Litch, Pale Acute Moon, Starless, and Wappa Gappa, earlier Japanese bands with female vocals playing a similar symphonic style. While much of the music is centered on the vocals of singer Reina, the tracks are all long and feature numerous instrumental passages during which Reina plays flute. YouTube has the song Tennkuu Heno Madrigal.
Vermilion Sands - Water Blue ($15.99) This is the CD reissue of the sole album from the Japanese Renaissance plus four bonus tracks. By ‘Japanese Renaissance’, we don’t simply mean that Vermilion Sands had a female lead singer, because a lot of Japanese symphonic bands did, and most of those singers were not exactly Annie Haslam clones. On the other hand, Vermilion Sands’ singer Yoko Royama is first-rate, and Water Blue (1989) is a beautiful progressive album in the Renaissance and Camel style, one of the best Japanese progressive albums ever. Read the Progressive World review, which says it all. Unfortunately, Yoko Royama passed away in 2004.
Wappa Gappa - Gappa ($15.99) The golden age of progressive rock in Japan occurred during the 1980s, when prog rock was at its nadir in the west. Most of the Japanese symphonic bands then died out in the 1990s as the west was experiencing a renaissance in the genre, but they are starting to come back. Wappa Gappa is one of the Japanese bands continuing the style of Outer Limits, Mr. Sirius, Pageant, and Providence. Their first Japanese release was in 1996, followed by A Myth in 1998 and Gappa in 2004. Wappa Gappa have a female singer with a beautiful, operatic voice. The lyrics are in Japanese with English translations in the booklet. The vocals function more as a lead instrument than as a singer of songs, so the fact the lyrics are in Japanese is less important than it might be. Wappa Gappa play the Japanese symphonic rock style but are not over-the-top like Teru’s Symphonia or Marge Litch. Gappa (69-minutes) and A Myth (61-minutes) present a very sophisticated and energetic progressive rock. Read the reviews at Sea of Tranquility and Musical Discoveries.
Yuka & Chronoship - Water Reincarnation ($15.99) Yuka & Chronoship is a Japanese progressive rock band formed in 2009 by female keyboardist/vocalist/composer Yuka Funakoshi along with three leading Japanese studio musicians: bassist Shun Taguchi, guitarist Takashi Miyazawa, and drummer Ikko Tanaka. Water Reincarnation (2011) is mostly instrumental but does have lovely (English-language and wordless) vocals and vocal harmonies. The Japanese symphonic prog scene has been relatively quiet of late, but Yuka & Chronoship are in the same league as Kenso and Mr. Sirius, though distinct from either. Their music is highly reminiscent of late 1970s progressive rock, very European-sounding, but not retro. The key (pun accidental) is that they are led by a keyboardist who can play and who can compose, who is versed in classical as well as jazz. There is technical virtuosity, but it isn’t about technical virtuosity. This is a fantastic album and a necessary one in an era where what passes for progressive rock often lacks the classical foundation, depth and class of Yuka & Chronoship. YouTube has an album montage.
Zettaimu - Miroque ($15.99) Zettaimu is a Japanese quartet led by guitarist Hisashi Furue, who is attracted to British progressive and psychedelic rock as much as he is to traditional Japanese music and rhythms. The band has three earlier albums dating back to 1989. The star of Miroque (2007) is female vocalist Kanako, who like many Japanese female vocalists is a great admirer of Kate Bush. Musically it’s mostly guitar, bass and drums. There is some use of keyboards, but this is not symphonic rock, as the tonal palette is more limited. This does however give the music more openness and space for Kanako’s voice. These nine tracks achieve a certain stylistic consistency, particularly through dark atmospheres, the best tracks being the more ethereal and surreal ones. Read a review here.