THE EARTH EXPLORER

The Earth Explorer started under the name ''Euro Express'' in 2005 in Tokyo, Japan as a cover band of European Progressive Rock, led by Kenji Imai on flute, Ryuji Yonekura on keyboards (also of Interpose+), Yukio Iigahama on bass and Katsumi Yoneda on guitar with drummer Takayuki Asada joining later.Since 2006 they were renamed to The Earth Explorer, focusing on writing original material.A first taste of their music was launched in 2007 through a CD-R by Vital Records entitled ''The first voyage''.After several live performances The Earth Explorer recorded their official self-titled debut at the fall of 2008, reducing their name simply to TEE.The album was released in 2009 on the Japanese label Poseidon for the Japanese market and on Musea Records for the European one.

The style of TEE is a dynamic, intricate, all instrumental Symphonic Rock with notable CAMEL, JETHRO TULL and FOCUS influences, although occasionally the band explores more Fusion territories, especially through the virtuosic guitar playing of Katsumi Yoneda.With six long tracks, TEE move with comfort between melodic passages and delicate textures to complex time signatures and powerful interplays, while the performance of the group is absolutely solid and tight.This is one of the albums, where the flutist plays a main role...and definitely Kenji Imai has a pair of fresh lungs.His long runs and extended solos are present in every corner and in every track, usually adding a quite symphonic and delicate flavor to the music.The closest comparison from the Japanese scene are KENSO and maybe AIN SOPH (during the more melodic moments), but TEE have certainly a more symphonic-oriented sound.Some fair doses of nice keyboard performances by Ryuji Yonekura and the technical guitar chops of Yoneda are also worth mentioning, while the band seems to have a great love for the 70's with ''The Earth Explorer'' respecting the vintage stylings of their idols.A few laid-back parts are also placed among the energetic and complicated stuff with mellow acoustic guitars and, of course, Imai's flute leading the way.

An excellent entry from Japan.Flute-driven Symphonic Rock with a decent balance between melodic and extremely technical moments.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.