BI KYO RAN LIVE III: RAN

Guitarplayer Kunio Suma sounds like the Japanese twin-brother of Robert Fripp, incredible how mighty close he plays in the vein of Mr. King Crimson, he even uses the unsurpassed Mellotron! But the rest of the trio neither hide their admiration for King Crimson so you can analyse that Bi Kyo Ran is the Japanese equivalent of bands like Anekdoten and Shylock but way less original. I have listened to many Bi Kyo Ran albums, this is one of their best and most captivating, it contains four tracks. Kyo Part 1, Keikoku and Kumikyoku Ran deliver the Fripperian guitarwork, often biting and furious and supported by a dynamic, very propulsive rhtyhm-section. The mellow parts feature soaring string and violin-Melltron and acoustic 12-string guitar. The final song Nijuujinkaku sounds a bit freaky with fiery runs by Sunio. If you are up to obvious King Crimson inspired prog, this album could be an exciting discovery.

This was recorded live in March,1983 at the "Bourbon House" in Osaka, Japan.This KING CRIMSON inspired trio blaze a trail of fire here but they also contrast these fiery passages with some laid back sections. Mellotron is played by two of the members here. I have to say that this "sounds" really good. The sub woofer really gets a workout with this album cranked up, and of course those angular, Fripp inspired guitar melodies are all over this recording. I love when they just jam, in fact they really stretch out these tunes as 3 of the 4 are all over 16 minutes in length.

"Psycho Part I" is the short opening tune at 3 1/2 minutes. It opens with a great sound of bass and drums while the guitar just plays along until taking the spotlight before a minute with some angular melodies. This all sounds so good. "Warning" is from their debut album and it opens with mellotron and solina strings. Vocals after a minute. I like the laid back guitar here. Mellotron continues. It kicks in after 7 minutes. Here we go ! Deep bass and angular guitar, and check out the drumming ! Sounds like vibes or some sort of percussion before 10 1/2 minutes with vocal melodies as it settles right down. Heavy drums and bass before 15 minutes, and the guitar joins in too for a killer finish. Nice.

"Suite Ran" is from their "Parallax" album. Lots of drums, bass, guitar and noise until we get a groove going after 3 minutes.This is fantastic ! Love the drums after 5 1/2 minutes as it settles somewhat. Fat bass lines here too. It settles down after 15 minutes before we get the big finish. "Double" is from their debut album. I have always liked this tune.The heaviness and bass are incredible. Vocals before a minutes.It settles before 3 minutes and mellotron rolls in a minute later.Tasteful guitar 4 1/2 minutes in. Later it gets chaotic before they jam for quite a while.

I can't give this less then 4 stars. It's a nice companion with the "Live II Who Ma" cd I have. A legendary band who thankfully wear their influences on their sleeves.