COCHIN MOON

Haruomi Hosono, one of the offsprings of Japan's 70's electronic-music scene and close collaborator of many trend-setting Japanese electronic bands (Yellow Magic Orchestra, Apryl Fool, etc.), and a myriad of related projects, "solo" work "Cochin Moon", 1978, is, to call it somehow, "cinematic".

That is the concept he handles starting from its art layout, which depicts a kind of kitsch movie poster for a fantasy soundtrack of an unexistent "Bollywood" movie. The hindu-raga music (Japan meets India, "electronic- music" speaking), only happens as such in one of its tracks ( "Uum Ghar Sajan", track 5), the precise amount at the right time. And a very attractive and hypnotic song by the way!

The music compositions are short-lived, fast and creative. (The album lasts less than 45 minutes) Traveling from authentic "incidental" music forms ( a la' John Cage ), through a diversity of stylings. From Be-Bop Jazz, to Steve Reich's like fast micro-minimalistic structures, to Cosmic electronic noise/ambients and to Krautrock. And sometimes this all happens simmultaneously, like final track 6, "Madam Consul General of Madrasand".

Pop music when it occurs (track 4, "Hepatitis") more than played, is transfigurated into a very enjoyable kind of The Resident's dark humor "exotic" piece. And that is it!

****4 "Electronic/Krautrock/Rio/AV missing "jewel" found. And quiet "essential", actually" PA stars.