Record Reviews

PANDEMIC ONO BAND ~ PANDEMIC ONO BAND OGD 0011 (Barcode: 4582336783452) ~ JAPAN ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is the debut album by Japanese quartet called Pandemic Ono BandFind albums by this artist, which consists of guitarist Yoshi MiharaFind albums by this artist, Hammond organ player Midori OnoFind albums by this artist, bassist Tetsu ToshimaFind albums by this artist and drummer Chico NishinoFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, six of which are original composition by the band members and four are arrangement of Rock and Jazz standards. The album, which was recorded partly live and partly in the studio, sounds remarkably like something that was recorded in the late 1960s, closely resembling early Jazz-Rock recordings by Brian AugerFind albums by this artist. The music is dominated by the Hammond C3 sound, with occasional soloing by the guitar and heavy / Rocky rhythm section accompaniment. The result is a wonderful nostalgic trip to times before these musicians were born. The quartet manages to reproduce the sound and the atmosphere so realistically, that if put to a blind test would have probably passed as a lost early British recording. Even the recording quality is a bit rough around the edges, adding to the authenticity. The original compositions are solid and the arrangements interesting, which adds to the genuine listening pleasure this album manages to achieve. Overall, although the music does not offer anything not heard previously, it is a brilliant trip down the memory line and a sublime tribute to the early Hammond Fusion players. I’d love to hear Auger’s comment too this music. I had an absolute blast listening to this album and I hope the quartet continues to pursue this direction in the future. Very well done!

Updated: 15/10/2022Posted: 15/10/2022

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