RIDE ON A CAMEL - SPECIAL LIVE

Japan is fascinating. All about modern Japan is about excess. Thus, it's no surprise our Tokyo friends quickly showed a strong interest in progressive music. But being extreme can implies many different meanings. In the case of Ain Soph, i found the band extremely dull and boring at listening. In addition to a music without any taste at all, being some sort of unproper carbon copy of Hatfield and The North's instrumental passages, you can enjoy one of the most exquisite trademark of famous japanese label Belle Antique : an awful sound. The recording is flat and poor, as many of the archival series releases of the aforementioned label. It is indeed pre-Ain Soph recordings but i don't get the point ; is there anyone outside who cares really - i mean REALLY - for this band ? I can only assume it would be a perfect addiction for your collection if you can find some space between your Outer Limits and Gerard copies...

This is one of those albums that should come with a pillow, as Ain Soph achieves an unprecedented level of boredom during a thoroughly depressing 77 minutes of uninspired filler. Actually, there is a mitigating circumstance, as this isn't really a proper Ain Soph album - apparently, it was a demo from 1978, when the band was known as Tenchi Sozo , that was released in 1991 as an Ain Soph album. The reason for why that was done is unclear, as, besides the fact that thealbum plainly sucks, half of it has been heard elsewhere - the first 2 tracks have been re-recorded for "Marine Menagerie", which was released the same year, and "A Story..." was the title track on their 1980 debut (fortunately, by then they had attained the courtesy to shorten it to 18 minutes - that's still way too long for a generally uneventful track, but better than the 24 -minutes-of-nothing version found on this album). A track-by-track analysis would be pointless, and besides, the album is so weak and monotonous that I can't remember anything from it anyway, and I doubt anyone could. Avoid this at all cost.

Apparently this album was a demo of early album tracks that became a sort of melting pot mixing different 70's sessions. Definitely inspired on the softer symphonic Canterbury such as Camel, these sessions predates their debut album, recorded while called Techni-Sozo and while not completely devoid of interest, this only draws yawns from the listener past the first track. Yes, although this album could be interesting if correctly recorded, it is difficult to listen to this compilation filled up to the brim, with some really boring moments (the suite that stands as track number 2), while others are actually fairly nice: the opening title track and the Oddessa track are quite interesting even if they appear unnecessarily elongated. Other parts (like Aria) appear to have been lifted from Camel

One of the main flaws of this "album" is its length, but also apart of the short Turkey, all of the tracks are well above the 10-min mark, culminating in the Mysterious Forest first version, which is the epic of their first real album, but this version is somniferous. Obviously if you are an Ain Soph fan, this album might just be essential.

BTW, since these infos are not yet present on our site, I might as well relate that there are links with Bellaphon with their keyboardist leving for that group during Ain Soph's lengthy lay-off period in the 80's.

One of the finest Japanese bands,AIN SOPH were originally formed as TECHNI-SOZO (translated into ''The creation'') in 1970 featuring Yozox Yamamoto on guitars, Kikuo Fujikawa on keyboards, Masahiko Torigaki on bass, and Hiroshi Natori on drums.Inspired by Canterbury Prog,the band recorded a demo in 1978 containing live rehearsals over a span of years in the 70's.These tapes were collected and released by Belle Antique under the AIN SOPH name in 1991,which the band used from 1980 and on (since the release of their official debut ''A Story of Mysterious Forest'').

STYLE: Easy to define,this all instrumental album is an ultimate tribute to 70's Canterbury sounds,filled with good interplays,catchy grooves and nice breaks.First two tracks contain impressive guitar work in a Latimer-like style,later the album is heavily grounded on the keyboard work of Kikuo Fujikawa,but Yozox Yamamoto is always there to deliver some good melodic lines.The rhythm section is very tight,collaborating in a harmonic way with Fujikawa's Barden-esque keys.Extended solos both on keys and guitars,jazzy interplays and a good dose of melody define AIN SOPH's sound,which can be both adventuruous and relaxed in the same track.The last track is just the original version of ''A Story of Mysterious Forest'',contained in a shortened form in the band's official debut.

SOUNDS LIKE/INFLUENCES: With such album titles like ''Ride on a Camel'' or ''Hat and field'' iit is quite easy for the average prog fan to detect the band's main inspirations.At moments, where the album gets highly melodic,is Bahrain's finest band OSIRIS,that comes to mind.

PLUS: Impressive guitar work with grea hooks and solos.Even more impressive is the keyboard effort with lovely,extended but not boring solos,often flirting with electronic sounds.The arrangements are generally in a high level.''A Story of Mysterious Forest'' is a track of pure beauty with a much more personal sound.

MINUS: Except for the last track,the band is far from offering a personal sound.Seems like ANDY LATIMER and PETER BARDENS are on guitars and keys respectively.Recording quality is rather poor,affecting the result of the album's sound.The first four tracks follow the same path,having a lot of similarities.

WILL APPEAL TO:...a wide spectrum of fans like followers of Canterbury Prog,Jazz-Fusion fanatics,even melodic prog lovers and of course the dedicated CAMEL fan club.

CONCLUSION/RATING: Do not expect a grand release coming out of the vaults.The album is quite balanced,well-crafted and carefully laid-back,but both the abscence of a unique sound and the poor recordings keep it away from a trully essential purchase.Yet it is fairly enjoyable and easy-listening and deserves a solid 3 star rating.