HANDLE WITH CARE

FRAGILE were a Jazz/Fusion band from Japan, a trio of guitar, bass and drums and these are players! And what a nice career they had, releasing ten studio albums and one live record over a 15 year period. We're missing their studio album "Phantom" from 2006 on the site here. My favourite of what I have is "5" from 2000, "Handle With Care" is an early one, their second from 1997.

The first four tracks are very solid, no complaints really but that fifth number called "Discus Discussion" the second longest one on here is what I call a throwaway, but listening to that synth guitar and djembe from the drummer is not a change in direction I appreciate. Island sounds abound. Two tracks I do really appreciate are "Mysterious Region" and "Brain Thinks Body Electric" and we know where the title from the last one comes from. The bass on both tracks are outstanding while the guitar gets a little jazzy on the latter before letting loose. Then there's the closer where I'm waiting for Frank Sinatra to start singing. No.

So a little too hit and miss for my tastes but this is a high quality band who haven't released a bad album.