SANGAKY

An Electric Fusion combo, found in November 2000 in Japan by a core of four musicians: Yasushi Kawaguchi on fretless bass/Chapman stick, Katsunori Takahashi on drums, Kosei Kayama on saxes and Kunihiko Sekido on keyboards.In 2003 they released a self-produced mini-album, ''Taneshina'', followed by series of live performances in their homecountry.In 2007 the band received the support of Poseidon's sublabel Vital Records and comes up with a full-length album, ''Sangaky''.Keisuke Hashimoto appears as a guest on trumpet and flugelhorn.

The style of Minoke? sits somewhere between RIO and Fusion with the progressive influences being very discreet in specific tracks, but again no trouble, because the music performances ranges from cool to even fascinating, led by a consistent rhythm section and some nice workouts on wind instruments, leading to several interplays, where melody is still present next to the chaotic lines of a Jazz-oriented group.The music alternates between semi-improvised pieces, down-to-earth Fusion executions with occasional melodic touches and some well-performed RIO-styled moments with great work on sax and trumpet.Piano is often a steady supporter and Sekido's moves come now and then in the forefront.The tracks are dense and virtuosic with the typical, jazzy flexibility, seemingly leading to nowhere, but at the very end all pieces sound as they have been taken care to the last detail.Bits from SOFT MACHINE, JULVERNE and PASSPORT are all over the place.The beautiful, laid-back passages with the sensitive sax soloing allow the music to take some deep breathes and then another scratching, electric trip into the world of Jazz Fusion begins over a neurotic performance on saxes and trumpet.

Propably not tightly linked to the prog principles, but this is a pretty nice effort of electric Jazz Fusion with an impressive balance and strong individual executions.Warmly recommended to all fans of the style.