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Korekyojinn - Korekyojin CD (album) cover

KOREKYOJIN

Korekyojinn

 

RIO/Avant-Prog

3.43 | 15 ratings

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Cesar Inca
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Korekyojinn is a "new zheul" supergroup from Japan: two thirds of the band are living legends, that is, the guitarist of Bondage Fruit and the drummer of Ruins, while the other third is Mitsuru Nasuro, a proficient bassist who has taken part in many avant-prog bands. This trio is a prodigy of power and dexterity: the level of artistic intelligence invested in the playing doesn't deter the global sound from conveying its electricity in full swing. The trio gives lots of room to the creation of power-trio-oriented sonorities, so one doesn't have to expect the same level of madness patent in any Ruins or Bondage Fruit album: it seems that band's main focus is to explore the rock and jazz-rock facets of avant-prog. Just by reading the tracklist you can notice the parodies of Genesis, Yes, GG and PFM song titles: the sense of humor prevails. The opener is an ethnically driven intro that may remind us of Tony Levin. 'Four Holes in the Sky' is the first electric piece, featuring the Belew-meets-McLaughlin guitar phrases, craftily displayed on a impossibly tight rhythmic section (get ready, this is only the first track with virtuoso handling of rhythmic structures). If this frenzy leaves the listener wanting some more, there is the following track 'On Reflection', which turns out to be somewhat heavier and equally complex. 'Careless Heart' can be described as an exercise on funky-rock delivered in a state of total Crimsonian neurosis. 'Khajuraho' brings back the ethnic mood, albeit with a more pronounced state of meditation. Unlike the opener, which had the bass guitar assuming the leading role, this piece has the dialogue of acoustic guitar and hand drums filling a prominent role while the bass guitar indulges in some soft improvisation in the middle. Later on, 'Arabesque' - the other acoustic piece - will show influences from 20th century chamber, featuring vibraphone. Just as an anecdote, this piece will be reshaped for the second album, funnily titled. "Arabesque". Anyway, let's keep track of this album's repertoire. 'She Came Burning' partially restates the abrasive ambiences we first heard in 'Careless Heart', and so does 'Preparation'. Due to its extra dose of extravagant joy, the latter reminds me of Ruins, but nowhere in the album is this crucial duo's influence more noticeable than on 'You Know What You Like'. Only the lack of mad hyper-Zappaesque chanting keeps us from mistaking this piece for any other from "Pallaschtom". Now that the fun factor has appeared totally, it won't go away so easily. 'Out of Head' is a whirlwind of syncope and counterpoint that generates a bizarre hybrid of old Samla Mammas Manna and 80s King Crimson washed in funky waters. The closer 'Poet and Peasant' is also funny and frantic: the arpeggio chains simultaneously delivered by the guitar and bass add an extra dose of tension, increased with lunacy and anger by Yoshida's non-stop rolls. Between the two is 'Cold Wave', yet another exhibition of neurotic avant-prog. This trilogy is a very powerful closure for this album, which is a testimony of how amazing prog rock is when created with adventurous spirit and relentless energy. Korekyojinn rules!!
Cesar Inca | 4/5 |

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