BLUFFS II

One of the greatest guitar/bass/drums trios in the history of rock; their music - often largely improvised - draws from a wide range of influences including progressive rock, jazz-rock, psychedelia, metal, noise rock, electronica, funk, ambient, and even country music. The musicians have a long and extended background; guitarist Uchihashi Kazuhisa appears on the "Improvisations" duos made with Ruins drummer Tatsuya Yoshida, on several recordings by Ground Zero and Otomo Yoshihide. Bass player Mitsuru Nasuno is also part of the two latter but also appeared as member of Korekyojinn. Drummer Yasuhiro Yoshigaki has also been part of Ground Zero and member of Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Orchestra, besides having played with several Japanese and international artists (Leonid Soybelman, Satoko Fujii Orchestra, Hoppy Kamiyama, Rovo, Opabinia, Coil, etc...). On Bluffs, he also plays trumpet, adding an extra colour to the trio's improvisations, always rich in moods, shifts of tempi and forms. Starting from a single percussion sound and cookin' it up to a wild rhythm orgy or operating the reverse way, they always keep their listeners under tight control, moving when ands where you don't expect them to. Three and a half stars!