ALCHEMY

Since I stumbled over this for the first time the odd cover evolved to a lasting memory. What comes next then, the album title hits it pretty well. 'Alchemy' is the result of reworked, refreshed material from the past, stylistically seen rather diverse in its entirety, not to be classified really. An instrumental one-off shot, according to some rumours produced by members of the two Japanese formations HAL and RING, who once were active way back in the 1970s. At least Takashi Kokubo is still present producing ambient music today. He owns the copyright and has adopted the task to manage the project's legacy. Don't know how it came to this special reunion respectively symbiosis round about 30 years later. Kinda spectacular anyway, isn't it? What really counts of course is that the output appeals.

Five musicians are involved here, two of them alone concentrating on the key duties. I assume the aforementioned Takashi Kokubo is predominantly taking care of the manifold spacey synthesizer elements, whereas Kayo Matsumoto on the other hand appears close to an ELP organ style here and there, for example on the proper album entry Sir Bordenhausen. But this does not mean that guitarist Haruhiko Tsuda is taking a backseat anyhow. The fantastic ambience and playfullness of the following space fusion gem Triplet Colors II alone is worth the interest. Lively electric piano, there's a bit of a Soft Machine Bundles atmosphere available I'd say. Even the guitar style is occasionally Holdsworthy. Nevertheless an unique statement of course, hell, unfortunately faded out ... man, I really love this!

Alternatively Open Before Knock is partially provided with a nice (hard) rock Boggie Woggie drive a la Status Quo! Compelling synth loops, piano and organ wizzardness on the groovy The Flower Ladies. Then The Star Of Sorrow is more of a cinematic nature. Finally In Memory Of Charnades The Pan is shining with heavy symphonic organ akin to Keith Emerson again. While enclosing one space fusion masterpiece at least this is an essential addition to a well sorted progressive rock collection. Overall the compositions are of a tricky and complex nature, all the involved musicians are undoubtedly acting on a prolific level.