Record Reviews

KBB ~ LIVE 2004 POSEIDON 025 (Barcode: 3426300045980) ~ JAPAN ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 3rd album by the phenomenal Japanese Fusion band KBBFind albums by this artist and their first live recording. Fronted by the virtuoso violinist Akihisa TsuboyFind albums by this artist (with Toshimitsu TakahashiFind albums by this artist – keyboards, DaniFind albums by this artist – bass and Shirou SuganoFind albums by this artist – drums) the Fusion quartet continues the path set by Fusion founding fathers such as Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist and Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist in the 1970s. Tsuboy’s virtuosity is beyond discussion and his sense of melody and incredible compositions captured already the hearts of numerous Fusion lovers around the world. The material includes mostly tracks already recorded for their first two studio albums (Lost And FoundFind albums with this title and Four Corner`s SkyFind albums with this title) as well as one new composition, but the expanded treatments offered here (mostly over 10 minutes long) are fresh and revealing, presenting the virtuosity and improvisational skills of all four members of the band. This is Fusion heaven, any way one looks at it, and lovers of the electric violin just can’t afford to pass this incredible music by. An absolute must for Fusion enthusiasts.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KBB ~ PROOF OF CONCEPT POSEIDON 043 (Barcode: 3426300047229) ~ JAPAN ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 4th album by the phenomenal Japanese Fusion band KBBFind albums by this artist and their long awaited follow up studio recording. Fronted by the virtuoso violinist Akihisa TsuboyFind albums by this artist (with Toshimitsu TakahashiFind albums by this artist – keyboards, DaniFind albums by this artist – bass and Shirou SuganoFind albums by this artist – drums) the Fusion quartet presents a brilliant set of new compositions (all except one by Tsuboy, with Dani’s first offering as a composer being the exception). The music is very melodic with traces of classical influences, but remains well inside the Fusion genre. The playing is brilliant as ever, virtuosity par excellence all the way. The entire concept is slightly more laid-back than the earlier efforts, with more accent on the melodic and lyrical, but there’s still plenty of Fusion fire to excite even the most skeptical listeners. The tracks are long enough to allow for dramatic melodic development and plenty of space for extended improvisations. All together a splendid album, well worth waiting for and sure not to disappoint the many fans of the band worldwide. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ZAO ~ IN TOKYO MUSEA 4699 (Barcode: 3426300046994) ~ FRANCE ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2004 Released: 2007 The legendary French band ZaoFind albums by this artist, formed in 1973 by two ex-MagmaFind albums by this artist members François CahenFind albums by this artist and Yochk`o SefferFind albums by this artist was probably the best and most interesting musical phenomenon on the scene at the time. The band reformed for a short period of time in 1994 to record one album (AkhenatonFind albums with this title) and then again a decade later for a Japanese tour, where this album was recorded live. To make things even more interesting, the Japanese violinist and member of KBBFind albums by this artist, Akihisa TsuboyFind albums by this artist, joined the group to complete the sextet (the original group included the legendary French violinist Didier LockwoodFind albums by this artist). The music is everything one would expect from Zao – breathtakingly beautiful Avant-Garde with strong jazz backbone. The new vocalist fills the difficult role with flying colors and all the musicians perform superbly. The material is a great mixture of older material (newly arranged) and new pieces, all composed by Cahen and Seffer. The lengthy pieces allow for extensive solos by all musicians and the album has a wonderful natural flow to it. In short, people who love improvised modern adventurous music will love this immensely. Essential!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend