THE SIX SINGULAR IMPRESSIONS

In the early Nineties I discovered the amazing, often keyboard-driven Japanese progrock scene, first Gerard, then Pageant, Outer Limits, Vienna, Mugen and ... Ars Nova. They started as a female trio, this CD is a compilation from that era featuring five songs from the albums Fear & Anxiety (1992), Transi (1994) and The Goddess Of Darkness (1996) and the live track Transi from Progday USA 1996. Their sound is a melodic, often bombastic blend of virtuosic keyboard play and a dynamic rhythm-section, very propulsive and adventurous. Female keyboard player Keiko Kumagai has obviously enjoyed a classical education and she delivers a varied and spectucular sound, from dazzling synthesizer flights and powerful Hammond organ runs to majestic Mellotron waves and sparkling piano work. The track Transi contains some impressive church organ sound and the final song Nova features delicate piano and harpsichord play. This CD is Progheaven for the keyboard aficionados!