ISSHOKU-SOKUHATSU

Right when I heard the opening I knew it would be amazing. I first heard this album browsing Japanese Jazz Funk/Fusion artists YouTube topic pages. One of them had the suggestion of Yonin Bayashi (Koenji Hyakkei and Moon Safari are the only other artists I remember seeing, though there was more) and I checked it out. Immediately smitten, listened to it all day. Two things really stick out to me in all of Yonin Bayashis discography, great guitar tone especially on chords and the singers wonderful voice. The music is emotional, catchy yet doesn't forget to include lots of instrumental bits.

Track one is just fourth seconds of avant- sounds, an effective opener.

Track two establishes a stripped down form of the other two meat songs of the album, which is keys on support, driving bass, guitar chords and Japanese vocals delivered delightfully.

Track three follows the form of two for the beginning then veers into hard rock momentarily, then returning to the preceding sound, heading into a lovely guitar solo and ending on a fade out bass/drum groove. Good stuff, catchy, memorable.

Track four is more dramatic, a bit less chipper and instead of heading away from the hard rock, when the song goes there it goes harder. There are some great instrumentals on this one and the vocals are absolutely no slouch. Excellent.

Track five closes the album, like two it provides an aspect of three/four, the instrumentals being the focus on this one (instrumental track). An exquisite closer for an exquisite album.

Overall this is an excellent album that would probably be under Heavy Prog if it was their only album and definitely recommend. Also the album is nice and short, which is how an album should be in my opinion, not ten hours long.