MOSHI MOSHI

One of the best Guru Guru albums ever. While it may not appeal to the traditional prog fan per say, there is something on this adventurous work for fans of one or another aspect of progressive rock music and would even go as far as to rcommend it as a starting point for the curious. The album draws from many eras of the band`s many incarnations since 1970 from the spaced out early era progressing through fusion experiments of the mid seventies to the more rythmical/jazzier late seventies and eighties. No two tracks on the album are alike but share a rythmical approach even on the more ambient " Skylab" and 1978 13 minute+ updated live version of the Guru Guru classic " Der Elektrolurch" (not indicated on the track list here but to be found as a bonus track on the 2004 CD version which was remastered by former Grobschnitt drummer EROC).

The diversity of this remarkable album can be exemplified by the contrast between the opening track "Moshi Moshi" which has a rather heavy edge on it which approaches heavy metal proportions with power rythm guitar riffing with heavy funky bass to "Don`t Worry About the Koto" which incorporates traditional Japanese themes. Of course Mani Nuemeier`s ubiquitous sense of humour is present on many tracks particularily Moishi Moishi, Jet Lag, the totally wacked out Jonny Filter and Bonusdrek. Those familiar with Dagobert Duck`s 100th Birthday from the Dance of the Flames album from 1974 pay close attention to Bonusdrek. If only it could have a longer running time .

A groovy, yet complex and interesting work. If I were writing this exclusively for the established Guru Guru fan Moshi Moshi would get 5 stars no problem . However, to remain within the progarchives guidelines it gets 3½ stars.

Out of the blue, pops up this late-90's Guru album, with a line-up, which still forms the group's backbone nowadays. While I have seen Guru's stage act recently (in the new millennium), it is hard to say that you will find their stage sound properly reproduced in a studio album, and this one is certainly no exception.

The album does not start well with two rough rock tracks that seems to have escaped the sound engineer's vigilance. Both the title track and the especially bad Jet Lag are really not the dreamed introduction to an album, but they reflect the rough nature that was often present in Guru's music, even if there were period, where it disappeared for a while. There is a certain exotic edge to this album (as depicted by the band's Japan tour photos), from the almost Arab sax solo of the title track, to the South Asian-influenced Tamil Nadu, to the Japanese-laced Koto track and the gypsy-tinged Maestroso (sounding a bit like Alamaailman Vasdarat).

But there is precious little jazz-rock on this album as on top of the two starters, the hard- rocking Incarnation-Stomp track and Jonny Filter are both bluesy by nature, the oddball that was always present in their music comes out on the XL Generation track, where a funky hard rock grooves hard and Skylab is a bit of a wink at their debut era with a delightful space-rock, and is (IMHO) the best track of the album along with Don't Worry About The Koto.

An album that ends much better than it started, really, but that hardly makes this album essential. But Guru's best nature these days are the stage shows where they show an incredible energy and vitality that most of their younger colleagues are unable to match without looking a bit ridiculous. But Neumeier and Schaffer's enthusiasm and energy is so communicative on stage, that they manage to convince you right off the bat that you are about to have a good night.