BARREN DREAM

Japan's MR SIRIUS was a group of prog stalwarts determined to swim upstream in a decade that rewarded conformity and musical simplification over experimentation. The band showcased the true spirit of musical freedom with two innovative albums that kept prog relevant in an era where it was significantly dimisnished. Masterminded by the multi-instrumentalist Kazuhiro Miyatake, MR SIRIUS was a trio formed in Osaka and featured Miyatake (aka Mr Sirius) on flute, guitars, keyboards, mellotron, sythesizers, bass and accordion along with grand pianist / vocalist Lisa Ohki and percussionist Chihiro Fujioka. Together this trio launched two well respected albums in the late 80s and early 90s before the official prog revival movement really kicked off. Who knows. Maybe they even helped inspire it! Miyatake actually began his prog journey early on in the 80s in symphonic prog bands such as Mugen and Pageant.

MR SIRIUS' first release BARREN DREAM emerged in 1987 in perhaps one of the years least friendly to progressive acts however in the middle of the BARREN desert called the 80s lay a veritable DREAM to rekindle all those classic sounds that made the 70s so magical. Long associated with England's Canterbury jazz scene, MR SIRIUS was a bit more eclectic than performing a mere tribute to Hatfield & The North or National Health and rather crafted an extremely unique style that was just as much about classic Genesis, the 70s Italian symphonic prog scene and the classical leanings of French composer Gabriel Fauré as it was about Canterbury jazz.

This album is indeed dreamy and features six bonafide prog workouts with the opening and closing tracks (and middle track "Eternal Jealousy") consisting of multiple suites and thematic developments. While officially a trio, three guest musicians added extra layers of guitar, piano and mini-moog. Showing no traces of its Japanese origins musically speaking, MR SIRIUS sounded like a true anomaly of European prog emerging in the most unlikely of times. The music is extremely soft and pastoral led by piano, acoustic guitars and a bit of jazz complexities. Musically speaking the album sounds a lot like Anthony Philips with a bunch of friends joining in however the trio's distinct sound lies not in its pastoral symphonic prog approach but rather by the excellent feminine vocal charm of lead singer Hirako Ohki (aka Hiroko Nagai). Lyrics while mostly presented in English did find a few moments in the Japanese language. At times the album even sounds like an opera.

While comparisons have been made to the album sounding like a hybrid between The Enid's "Aerie Faerie Nonsense" and Camel's "Snow Goose," MR SIRIUS defies comparisons due to its ability to shape shift into multiple musical areas seemingly at the drop of a hat. While one moment the band evokes a soft mellowness reminiscent of Genesis' most placid moments, the band has no problem breaking into demanding musical territory that explores knotty angularities and crazy instrumental interplay that is up to par with the best of the best as far as musical complexities are concerned. The addition of guitar sweeps and sensual flute runs remind me a bit of early Focus however the knotty more rock oriented parts sound utterly unique to the band itself with exquisite syncopated idiosyncrasies.

In many ways despite the band's European flavors in every form, the album does make you think of one of those beautiful paintings of Mt Fuji in the springtime with all the fruit trees in blossom. It's a breezy light affair with the occasional eruption into the knottier adventurism of avant-prog but for the most part is dominated by the sensual vocalizations of Nagai and lush acoustic passages in full pastoral mode. Overall this album ranks as one of Japan's most interesting contributions to the world of progressive rock as it stands the test of time for its unique approach of amalgamating so many disparate styles while preserving its own identity. The band would release one more album, "Dirge" and then disappeared ironically before the whole prog world seemed to resurrect from its cryogenic time out. An eclectic mix of prog styles that will surely please Canterbury fans but BARREN DREAM is so much more.