GAPPA

This band from Japan with intresting name Wappa Gappa, caught my attention few years back with their last album to date named Gappa, issued in 2004 by Musea records. To tell the truth I was hooked right from the opening track Kyoei no ichi (Souk) - a perfect in every way 8 min piece that establish them among the best from land of the sinshine in last decade or so. The music has plenty of memorable passaes with quirky arrangements and superb playing from all members. The music is symphonic prog but with a healthy doze of fusion jazziness, this combinattion is very efective and catchy in same time. The similarity are from Kenso to an extict and with anoth top notch japanes band Mongol and their fantastic Doppler 444 release. If the guitar, bass and drums carring the jazzy floavour, the keyboards and moog adds a very distinctiv symphonic sound and giving in the end a very special, intresting and captivating album. All pieces stands as great, no boring moments the listner is conected full time from start to finish. Also I forgot to add that femal vocalist Tamami Yamamoto has a very beautiful voice that is going hand in hand with the music offered.A well rounded release that is needing a far more recognition by any prog listner. 4 stars easy and recommended