KITES

This particular album contains two concepts. According to the liner notes the first side is an impression of forest, wind and flight as inspired by a Paul Klee painting. While side two is the tale of a boat monk. I have to say that this is the first JADE WARRIOR album that has really impressed me. It's all instrumental with some vocal melodies and lots of atmosphere. It really is the kind of album that can take you places. Great for the imagination.The songs blend into one another.

"Songs Of The Forest" is silent at first, then all of a sudden the forest slowly comes to life as we hear gongs over and over. I really like the tension when the strings come in before 1 1/2 minutes. Some brass as well and flute. "Wind Song" opens with a gong as percussion follows in this laid back beginning. Vocal melodies then brass join in as it becomes quite spacey, almost haunting. Flute comes in late. Great sound. "The Emperor Kite" Is the most dynamic track on side one with percussion, drums, brass and strings dominating the sound. "Wind Borne" is spacey with soft flute and brass coming in after 1 1/2 minutes. A beat comes in and some electric piano. I like the sound after 3 1/2 minutes as piano and acoustic guitar add their charms as flute and the beat continue. Electric guitar takes over for the acoustic guitar. Some bass after 6 minutes stands out. So intricate with a lot going on. A very cool track. "Kite Song" becomes very peaceful with gentle flute throughout. This ends the first side and concept. Great stuff.

"Land Of The Warrior" really plays upon the imagination. The male choir sounds like mellotron that comes in waves as other sounds come and go. Haunting is the word. "Quietly By The River Bank" opens with a loud noise then silence. This becomes mellow with strings, acoustic guitar and piano. "Arrival Of The Emperor" is louder with violins standing out with percussion. Intense. "Do You Understand This ?" opens with atmosphere as a calm follows with flute and other pastoral sounds. Fred Frith comes in on violin around 1 1/2 minutes. Lots of atmosphere here. "Arrival Of Chia Shan : Disclosure And Liberation" continues with the atmosphere until violins and guitar break that mood. Not for long though as a wash of atmosphere takes over. Strings before 2 1/2 minutes until it ends with an abrupt noise. "Towards The Mountains" features gentle guitar, female vocal melodies (briefly) and flute. Strings late. "The Last Question" opens with some guitar then we get silence until it ends with a loud noise.

I really wasn't expecting to like this after the disappointments of "Released" and "Floating World". A special album.