KEYBOARD TRIANGLE II

First album featuring new versions of prog-rock legends songs called "Keyboards Triangle" was recorded in 1999 by two Japanese bands: "Gerard" & "Ars Nova". It was really splendid disk which many prog fans enjoyed and praised quite much. It's a pity that most of people don't know that in 2002 second part of this project was recorded, this time solely by "Gerard". Name of this release is "Keyboard Triangle 2" (yes, "keyboard" not "keyboards" like in the first part).

Compared with first part this album is significantly shorter and less diverse (only one band is playing - "Gerard", and only 3 bands are covered - "King Crimson", "UK" and "ELP"). However I can assure you that it includes ones of my favorite music pieces out there! I can even say that I like it more than "Keyboards Triangle" because covers are much tighter and less crazy-in sake-for-being-crazy here. Almost no dull, over-played, repetitive madness here, just pure prog-rock enjoyment. That's why I love it so much.

Let's find out how Toshio Egawa and his colleagues "butchered" those classics using keyboards power trio (+vocal) formula:

1. "21st Century Schizoid Man" - cover of the most famous King Crimson's song is astonishing! Instead of guitar and saxophone which led this track in its original form, we have extremely intense synthesizer riffs and fat, over-driven Hammond organ runs. Simon Nakaji which guesting on vocal duties on this album sounds truly demonic singing through some electronic device which modulate his voice (just like Greg Lake in original). Fully expanded organ solo with all of these ELPish pyrotechnics is a really nice surprise here too. To be honest I enjoy this version as much as KC's original.

2. "Danger Money" - another song and another fantastic cover. This time "Gerard" decided to presents us their own vision of song "Danger Money" from British band "UK" repertoire. This cover is more similar to original one because of similar instrumentation used: synthesizer & organ, but I have to admit that these medieval-like vocal harmonies shared between Simon Nakaji & Atsushi Hasegawa sounds even better than in original for me! Only this "Danger Money!" part sounds a bit cheesy because of some strange electronic voice modulation. Very good version indeed but doesn't bring anything new to the original.

3. "Knife Edge" - my favorite song on "Keyboard Triangle II", truly splendid. You thought that Emerson plays mean organ riff in original ELP version? So check out how Egawa hits us in the head with even more brutal Hammond delivery! His organ truly rips our ears apart! His solo in the middle is even more vigorous & lightning fast than Emerson's, and includes all necessary shrieks, "explosions" and other pyrotechnics. I can only add Simon also sings with real anger so suitable for this composition. I didn't think that it's possible, but I really prefer this version to the original one.

4. "Alaska / Time To Kill" - another track is a medley of two compositions of "UK". Just like original is starts with space rockish, echoing synthesizer flights but after less than 2 minutes Egawa's organ strikes back again with double power. While I'm not a big fan of original "Alaska" tune, here this composition bursts out with its full symphonic splendor. Toshio really knows like nobody else how to treat his Hammond to create so flashy-violent sound. After this instrumental section comes "Time To Kill" which I don't enjoy so much. Simon's voice seems to be a bit too screamy and out of key here. Thankfully later on we can listen to delightful violin soling sounds created on some truly fantastic synthesizer (yes, you have to check it out to believe that violin can be so perfectly mimicked on keyboard!).

5. "Lark's Tongues In Aspic Part Two" - to be honest I'm not a big fan of King Crimson's original, however Gerard's version seems to be less "forced" and more interesting for me. Once again Egawa uses his violin-like synthesizer here and mix it with swirling organ grooves. His Hammond solo (another Hammond solo on...King Crimson's composition! Robert Fripp would be surely puzzled while listening to this staff :-) is astonishing as always and sounds very powerful & symphonic. Just great!

In 2 words: must have! "Keyboard Triangle" is a perfect staff for all keyboards-driven goers out there. If you want to know how sound organ & synth based King Crimon's classics, proceed to this album immediately! You want to know how ELP's and UK's compositions sound when they are re-arranged by Japanese keyboards wizard Toshio Egawa - check this album. Just like "Keyboards Triangle", its second part is a brilliant symphonic prog release from "the country where cherry blossoms" which should be checked by aficionados of other keys-driven groups like "ELP", "Trace", "Triumvirat", "Le Orme", "Collegium Musicum", "Little Tragedies" or "Social Tension".

Fully deserved 5 stars.

Let me be the first to say that the cover looks like a wonderful cross between those of "Larks' Tongues In Aspic" and "Love Bites". Now, Gerard are no strangers to cover albums like this, but this is the best of theirs. Several Crimson, ELP, and UK pieces are covered with a unique and powerful rendition heavy on keys and bass. The band plays excellently on the whole album, laying down some great new versions of these classics. What takes the cake and guarantees a whole five stars is their version of "Knife Edge", which manages to outdo the already excellent ELP original. Egawa really does hammer on his Hammond, and Hasegawa has a killer vocal delivery that makes this track work spectacularly. One of the best cover records of prog classics, this should be acquired for "Knife Edge" alone, but is as a whole excellent.

The first edition of this Japanese project blew me away, my favorite Japanese progrock bands Gerard and Ars Nova playing seven compositions from legendary progrock bands (ELP, Rick Wakeman, PFM, Trace and Il Balletto Di Bronzo), what a Vintage Keyboard Heaven! If you like bombastic, keyboard driven prog, well, that album is ultra bombastic virtuosic keyboard driven prog.

In 2002 the second edition was released, I own the 2010 remaster, all tracks are played by my first Japanese progrock love Gerard (I am a huge fan since I bought their first two album in the early Nineties).

1. 21st Century Schizoid Man (8:02) : What a captivating start, a King Crimson cover with organ and synthesizers (by Japanese keyboard wizard Toshio Egawa) but it sounds great. I even conclude that Gerard did an outstanding job by blending the typical Gerard elements (bombastic keyboards and a furious rhythm-section) and the heart of this dark and compelling song. The vocals by Simon Nakaji are OK, no more or less.

2. Danger Money (8:02) : A strong rendition with powerful drums and exciting keyboards, my only negative remark concerns the vocals, too powerless and too much a disturbing accent (I am sure former Gerard singer Robin Suchy would have done a way better job on this album).

3. Knife Edge (6:32) : Awesome Hammond organ work, a mindblowing rhythm-section and wonderful part featuring a church organ sound, for sure an extra dimension. But again the vocals are the weak point, too much a poor contrast with with powerful and bombastic atmospheres. Like a sparrow wants to overscream a bold eagle.

4. Alaska-Time To Kill (7:40) : This track starts with an impressive keyboard intro and a jawdropping imitation of Eddie Jobson his distorted electric violin sound, very spectacular, one of the highlights!

5. Lark's Tongues In Aspic Part Two (6:54) : The second King Crimson cover, also in this composition Gerard surprises us with swirling Hammond organ, supported by powerful and fluent bass play and propulsive drums, topped by wonderful violin work. As in the first King Crimson cover, Gerard succeed to show an own face without doing harm to the heart of the song.

Although I in my opinion the instrumental first edition is superior to this second effort, I consider it as very interesting, mainly due to the awesome renditions of the two King Crimson compositions. Here we can enjoy how Japanese prog rises to the occasion, blending their distinctive vintage keyboards drive prog with Classic Prog!

My rating: 3,5 star.

GERARD already did an album of covers like this one back in 1999 but back then they joined forces with ARS NOVA even though the two trios provided their own covers separate from each other. This time it's GERARD on their own but we do get a couple of guest male singers. I feel the first go around with ARS NOVA blows this one up pretty good. It was an instrumental album and I must admit the vocals this one take away from my enjoyment.

This was recorded live in studio December 17 2001. We get two tracks from UK, two tracks from KING CRIMSON and one from ELP and that might be the best one. That would be "Knife Edge" and this Japanese keyboardist can play! We get "Danger Money" and "Alaska-Time To Kill" from UK and "Larks Tongues In Aspic Part Two" and "21st Century Schizoid Man" from KC to round out the five song album.

An enjoyable record for the most part and only 37 minutes long but man check out the first one if you can, there's some amazing instrumental music on it.