CASTLE IN THE AIR

Among the lesser known names of the Japanese prog scene, Negasphere started in 1977 under the guidance of bassist/keyboardist Kawasaki Kaoru.In 1981 they were joined by Majima Hiroyoshi and Kaoru devoted himself only to the keyboard parts.Reputedly the band had a self- titled live cassette out around the time.Problems with the line-up prevented the band from recording an official LP and the problem was solved with the addition of ex-Mahojin Sugano Shiro on drums, Yata Toru on keys and Tokutake Hiroshi on bass.Finally a LP entitled ''Castle in the Air'' saw the light in 1984 on L.L.E. Records.

The sound of Negasphere was exactly in the middle of GENESIS-inspired mellow Symphonic Rock and the more fiery Symph/Fusion style of U.K. with good arrangements, extended instrumental parts but also a very mediocre recording quality.The band keeps a nice balance between vocal moments and long professional instrumental sections and there is always a mood for changing themes throughout.So a calm, mostly symphonic section with dreamy keyboard work and sensitive guitar parts is often followed by sharp and often double synth attacks, dynamic interplays and powerful grooves with an evident HOLDSWORTH edge on the guitar solos and a sound close to WAPPA GAPPA or MONGOL.Vocals were never the strong point of Japanse bands and Negasphere make no exception.Still the lyrics are sung in English with a bearable performance by Hiroyoshi.The biggest flaws come from the below average production and the plastic sound of electric drumming.

A very rare record by Negasphere yet a recommended release for fans of 80's Japanese Prog and all those who love the combination of 70's Classic Prog with Fusion.

NEGASPHERE "Castle in the air", taking in consideration the only review posted in P A and 4 ratings in total, the simple conclusion is : This Japanese Band is unknown for the most of P A community on the contrary of similar bands of the same country, as for instance NOVELA, TERU'S SYMPHONY ( lead by ex-Novela guitar player Terutsugu Hirayama ) and PALE ACUTE MOON, all of them with an superior average of ratings and reviews. In fact this band also is that have less releases (only 2 albums ) and probably is the reason of the lower number of reviews. However, I think which this first album if is not at the same level to the albums from the other bands, at least not is so inferior. The music of NEGASPHERE in this first album is more close of the symphonic prog as for example the majority Teru's Symphony albuns ( which shows a certain heavy-prog " flavoring". In real the heavy moments exists, like in overture of track 2 "Beyond Love" and in some moments with the electric guitar prominence, another peculiarity of this track is keyboard brief solo (starting 3 min 50 sec which remind Tony Banks style, in "Cinema Show" a epic track from GENESIS . In track 3 "Another Dawn is Breaking/" some parts of keyboards arrangements assumes something of electronic music, because the scale seems make by a programing sequence. The track 4 "Holy Ground Ceremony" is best theme of whole album; divided in several parts some of a "dose" of swing ! The last track " At Last Moment" is composed by CAMEL inspiration . In resume the album don't show no "weak" moment , the musicians are very good and if this album isn't a masterpiece, deserves a decent quotation . So, my rate is 4 stars !!!