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KAIZEN

Symphonic Prog • Brazil


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Kaizen picture
Kaizen biography
Founded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 - Still active as of 2019

Violinist Kleber Vogel (formerly of Quaterna Requiem) formed Kaizen in 1992, with Alvaro Seabra, Carlos Albuquerque, Ronaldo Dos Guaranys, and Cleto Castaņon. Their only release is 1994's Gargula, and features guest musicians playing flute, oboe, bassoon, and cello.. Vogel is the main composer, and describes the music as symphonic prog that is intended to touch the deepest feelings of the listener. It is clearly classical influenced, while incorporating jazz and rock rhythms.

Vogel studied guitar, mandolin, and violin at the Villa-Lobos Music School. His pedigree also includes extensive work with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Rio de Janeiro, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Post Graduate Chamber Orchestra.

The band has gone through lineup changes, and apparently still plays. However, they have released no new material. The most current known lineup consists of William James Murray, Wagner André, Saulo Battesini and Mario Leme, and Kleber Vogel.

This is recommended for fans of the Violin, and Brazilian Prog.

H.T. Riekels (bhikkhu)

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KAIZEN discography


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KAIZEN top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.56 | 28 ratings
Gargula
1994
4.00 | 21 ratings
Áquila
2019

KAIZEN Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

KAIZEN Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

KAIZEN Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

KAIZEN Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

KAIZEN Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Gargula by KAIZEN album cover Studio Album, 1994
3.56 | 28 ratings

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Gargula
Kaizen Symphonic Prog

Review by Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Very nice band from Brazil. This is their only work to date and it is totally instrumental, with very strong classical roots. Violinist Kleber Vogel leads this project with talent and I really like the inclusion of the mandolin on some tracks. While the music on the CDīs first half is not really my favorite kind of symphonic prog (too classical music and not enough rock), I have to say they are very good on what they do and I throughly enjoyed the CD. The albumīs second part is where the best stutff is (it is more rocking). Runas is the song I like the most, with many variations and a fine synth solo in the middle. It reminded me of Italian symphonic prog rock of the 70īs at its best and it brings back memories of some other brazlian bands at the time like Terįo. The last track, Kaisen, is also a highlight where the prog and classical elements fuse perfectly for a great moment of beauty (Vogelīs has his best solo here). All the musicians are skillful and the production is quite good.

It is only a pity that they didnīt release anything since then. They certainly have an enourmous potential to go much further and I hope they will release a second album someday. My rating: 3,5 stars.

 Gargula by KAIZEN album cover Studio Album, 1994
3.56 | 28 ratings

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Gargula
Kaizen Symphonic Prog

Review by Marty McFly
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars As I understand this definition, symphonic should mean symphony, something melodic, nice, pure beauty. And that's exactly what Gargula is. Despite ugly name, this is calm, almost "Tarka" like music. Of course, that's not all that can be found here. In fact, this music is changing its style almost every song, drawing inspiration from various sources, I'm almost afraid to think about from where, because it would be big list.

There's really not much to be said (as previous reviews shows, there is no 500 word review and I probably do know why), except my words and words said by others. First track reminds me Warcraft 2 music combined with "The Enid", they sometimes uses MIDI music, which feels almost like using electronic drummer, but not so bad.

5(-), but I have quite weird feeling about this. I like it, but it makes me wonder. It's not instant stunner, melodies aren't prominently catchy (even I like the melody), but there's something odd here.

EDIT: Still making good times to me while I'm listening it. Combination of old-classical-instruments with synths is of undisputed quality. Quaterna Requiem is close relative, but Gargula is little bit better. Music slowly flows forward and you are taken by beautiful dreamy landscapes (or skyscrapers, one of them), or even PlaneScapes (try to fit this music on this perfect game and you, or even I am stunned by it, how nicely it works together) presented here. It surely takes time to find this record, because it's quite rare you know. For me, it's not "JUST ANOTHER" symphonic band, for me, it's unique band with unique sound that, even sometimes similar to other artists (mentioned Camel and Quaterna), manages to be "himself". And by "he" I mean The Sound.

 Gargula by KAIZEN album cover Studio Album, 1994
3.56 | 28 ratings

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Gargula
Kaizen Symphonic Prog

Review by erik neuteboom
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Here is a Brasilian one shot band with their debut CD Gargula. They are assisted by the Brasilian Symphonic Orchestra (flute, oboe, fagot and cello), especially the opener Abertura features these classical musicians along bombastic keyboards. On the rest of this strong album you can enjoy a dynamic blend of classical, jazzrock and symphonic rock. The level of the musicians is high and the compositions sound alternating: sensitive electric guitar and flute in Zenith, harpsichord in the titletrack, wonderful interplay between cello and violin in Notorno, mandolin in Runas and a bass soli in Kaizen. All songs are loaded with soli on keyboards, guitar and violin (electric, acoustic and MIDI), played by ex-Quaterna Requiem member Kleber Vogel (often evoking JL Ponty). If you don't have a problem with the frequent soli, this CD is a fine discovery!


 Gargula by KAIZEN album cover Studio Album, 1994
3.56 | 28 ratings

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Gargula
Kaizen Symphonic Prog

Review by geezer

3 stars ***1/2

This group is best known of the violinist Kleber Vogel who was in the 1st Quaterna Requiem album. He is probably the 2nd best-known South-American violinist in progressive music after Marcus Viana of Sagrado fame. He writes almost all music so perhaps this album can be considered his "child". However, the result is very much a team play and the instruments have a nice balance. The music is very classical in nature and floats naturally. It very much resembles the style of the already mentioned QR. According to the liner notes classical music, jazz and rock have been the inspirations for the compositions. There are not any vocals and it works perfectly with this kind of music. Even if the violin is the lead instrument of the classical instruments, the other classical instruments (flute, oboe, bassoon, cello) by guest musicians are a wonderful contribution as well. Another example from the very interesting South-American scene!

Conclusion: For lovers of classical progressive for sure!

 Gargula by KAIZEN album cover Studio Album, 1994
3.56 | 28 ratings

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Gargula
Kaizen Symphonic Prog

Review by lor68
Prog Reviewer

3 stars In the vein of Quaterna Requiem, another Prog Band from Brazil with classic approach, by using a pretty violin and some keyboards reminding of those ones in the "the Snow Goose", especially the unplugged pieces, They try to build an acoustic symphonic atmosphere... of course Kleber Vogel is not equal for instance to Marcus Viana (composer from Sagrado Coracao da Terra), this latter being much more versatile, but his job is anyway remarkable! However I think of some classic music experimentations within the albums by After Crying for example and soon I forget the present album, but it depends on my personal tastes obviously!!

Make your own choice!!

 Gargula by KAIZEN album cover Studio Album, 1994
3.56 | 28 ratings

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Gargula
Kaizen Symphonic Prog

Review by Marcelo
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Very classic orientated album led by the violin of Kleber Vogel. He isn't a virtuoso, but music is very nice. A mix between melodic rock a la CAMEL and majestic classical musicians. All instrumental, the homonymous track is the best, but the whole album is very good.
Thanks to Ivan_Melgar_M for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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