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KOREKYOJIN

Korekyojinn

RIO/Avant-Prog


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Korekyojinn Korekyojin album cover
3.43 | 15 ratings | 5 reviews | 7% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 1999

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Nemrut Dagi (1:22)
2. Four Holes in the Sky (4:27)
3. On Reflection (3:51)
4. Careless Heart (5:41)
5. Khajuraho (1:46)
6. She Came Burning (4:22)
7. Preparation (5:59)
8. You Know What You Like (3:16)
9. Arabesque (1:11)
10. Out of Head (4:47)
11. Cold Wave (4:13)
12. Poet and Peasant (6:36)

Total Time: 47:31

Line-up / Musicians

- Kido Natsuki / guitar
- Nasuno Mitsuru / bass
- Yoshida Tatsuya / drums, composer, mixing

Releases information

CD Tzadik ‎- TZ 7223 (1999, US)
CD Magaibutsu Limited - MGC-23 (2004, Japan)

Thanks to Syzygy for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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Buy KOREKYOJINN Korekyojin Music



KOREKYOJINN Korekyojin ratings distribution


3.43
(15 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(7%)
7%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(47%)
47%
Good, but non-essential (47%)
47%
Collectors/fans only (0%)
0%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

KOREKYOJINN Korekyojin reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Syzygy
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars The debut album by Yoshida Tatsuya's avant prog supergroup power trio shows yet another side of this multi faceted and fascinating musician. It's a purely instrumental affair, which is good news for those who find Yoshida's vocals in Koenjihyakkei and Ruins heavy going, and it sees him teamed up with two of the Japanese underground's finest players; Kido Natsuki of Bondage Fruit and Salle Gaveau on guitar, and sometime Ground Zero bass maestro Nasuno Mitsuru.

The album consists of 9 compositions by Yoshida punctuated by 3 brief group improvisations. The main compositions are all very tightly written and played, and from the sound of it they were all recorded in one take with minimal - if any - overdubbing. The music is full of the abrupt changes of tempo and time signature that are such a prominent feature of Yoshida's writing, but with a very different feel. The Zeuhl influences are less obvious, with a kind of mutant RIO/jazz/funk vibe predominant throughout; there's a definite Massacre influence audible here, or perhaps Mahavishnu Orchestra stripped of the violin and keyboards. The playing is very fast and very precise, but there's often a suspicion that this is more about technique than feeling. The best track is the last piece on the album, Poet and Peasant. This is one of Yoshida's finest moments, and has the same kind of off kilter catchiness as Ruins' majestic Praha in Spring. The 3 improvised tracks feature Yoshida on what sounds like Bendir or Darabouka, and they have a world music, semi acoustic feel which provides an interesting and welcome contrast with the remainder of the album.

This album is interesting when contrasted with Ruins and Koenjihyakkei, but is more one for fans of Japanese underground prog than for newcomers. 3.5 stars really, with the .5 added for the brilliant Poet and Peasant. Recommended to fans of virtuosic instrumental projects like Bozzio-Levin-Stevens, Counter World Experience or Liquid Tension Experiment who are in the mood for something more adventurous.

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars After being so impressed with KOREKYOJIN's second album "Arabesque", I just had to get their self-titled debut from 5 years earlier. This one I would say features a lot more dissonant guitar, which is incredible to listen to, but doesn't rate high on the enjoyment factor. Lets just say this doesn't go over well as background music because it might be mistaken for noise. Haha.The drums and bass playing are relentless and outstanding throughout.

"Nemrut Dagi" is a short intro track of strummed guitar,percussion and very deep bass lines. "Four Holes In The Sky" opens with some cool sounding guitar as huge bass and drums sounds break out in a vicious assault.This continues until 2 1/2 minutes in when the bass takes the lead with some added angular guitar. The song ends as it began. "On Reflection" is my favourite because the guitar is more traditional. That is heard a minute in as blistering guitar comes in as bass throbs. This fast paced tune is easier on the ears. Love the guitar. "Careless Heart" has some catchy guitar while the bass and drums provide the thunder. Kind of funky as well. "Khajuraho" does not really have a melody as guitar and bass make noise with percussion. It's amazing the noise that the guitarist can make on "She Came Burning". Of course the drummer and bassist do their share as well, it's just the guitar is more dissonant.

"Preparation" is not very melodic although i like the sound a minute in. The bass is heavy and the drumming is odd- metered. "You Know What You Like" is more relentless pounding and fast paced fury. "Arabesque" has vibes or xylophone in the intro with bass and guitar sounds. The guitar is so impressive on this one. "Out Of Head" is dissonant. Enough said. Haha. Ok it actually changes after 2 1/2 minutes to a funky rhythm then back to the noise. "Cold Wave" is more of the same. "Poet And Peasant" is my second favourite. It's more melodic and fun to listen to. Interesting guitar sound comes and goes,especially after 4 minutes because it sounds like The Edge from U2. It's that style anyway.

I would suggest their later recordings, especially "Arabeque" but thats just my opinion.

Review by Cesar Inca
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Korekyojinn is a "new zheul" supergroup from Japan: two thirds of the band are living legends, that is, the guitarist of Bondage Fruit and the drummer of Ruins, while the other third is Mitsuru Nasuro, a proficient bassist who has taken part in many avant-prog bands. This trio is a prodigy of power and dexterity: the level of artistic intelligence invested in the playing doesn't deter the global sound from conveying its electricity in full swing. The trio gives lots of room to the creation of power-trio-oriented sonorities, so one doesn't have to expect the same level of madness patent in any Ruins or Bondage Fruit album: it seems that band's main focus is to explore the rock and jazz-rock facets of avant-prog. Just by reading the tracklist you can notice the parodies of Genesis, Yes, GG and PFM song titles: the sense of humor prevails. The opener is an ethnically driven intro that may remind us of Tony Levin. 'Four Holes in the Sky' is the first electric piece, featuring the Belew-meets-McLaughlin guitar phrases, craftily displayed on a impossibly tight rhythmic section (get ready, this is only the first track with virtuoso handling of rhythmic structures). If this frenzy leaves the listener wanting some more, there is the following track 'On Reflection', which turns out to be somewhat heavier and equally complex. 'Careless Heart' can be described as an exercise on funky-rock delivered in a state of total Crimsonian neurosis. 'Khajuraho' brings back the ethnic mood, albeit with a more pronounced state of meditation. Unlike the opener, which had the bass guitar assuming the leading role, this piece has the dialogue of acoustic guitar and hand drums filling a prominent role while the bass guitar indulges in some soft improvisation in the middle. Later on, 'Arabesque' - the other acoustic piece - will show influences from 20th century chamber, featuring vibraphone. Just as an anecdote, this piece will be reshaped for the second album, funnily titled. "Arabesque". Anyway, let's keep track of this album's repertoire. 'She Came Burning' partially restates the abrasive ambiences we first heard in 'Careless Heart', and so does 'Preparation'. Due to its extra dose of extravagant joy, the latter reminds me of Ruins, but nowhere in the album is this crucial duo's influence more noticeable than on 'You Know What You Like'. Only the lack of mad hyper-Zappaesque chanting keeps us from mistaking this piece for any other from "Pallaschtom". Now that the fun factor has appeared totally, it won't go away so easily. 'Out of Head' is a whirlwind of syncope and counterpoint that generates a bizarre hybrid of old Samla Mammas Manna and 80s King Crimson washed in funky waters. The closer 'Poet and Peasant' is also funny and frantic: the arpeggio chains simultaneously delivered by the guitar and bass add an extra dose of tension, increased with lunacy and anger by Yoshida's non-stop rolls. Between the two is 'Cold Wave', yet another exhibition of neurotic avant-prog. This trilogy is a very powerful closure for this album, which is a testimony of how amazing prog rock is when created with adventurous spirit and relentless energy. Korekyojinn rules!!
Review by Kazuhiro
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Prog Rock Scene of present Japan. Especially, the existence of Tathuya Yoshida always makes the listener change shape according to the necessity of the music and listen to the power and the performance for the field of Avant-Prog.

The name of Ruins and koenjihyakkei is known to the world now. After forming Ruins in 1985, the activity of his music produced music based on the meaning and the concept of something. After Ruins debuts with Boredoms in the United States in the 1990's, his activity becomes active and multiplies the spur by the music character further.

Another band that is called Koenjihyakkei exists in Tathuya Yoshida. These bands guess that it is known well and it succeeded in telling Avant-Prog of Japan and Zeuhl that the Japanese thinks about in the world to the world for him. Or, activity of him of the shift offers a lot of music exactly produced with the agility of the place in the 90's.

Power and agility that plays his drum by love of the Christian Vander because of characterization of it. Or, it performs by multiusing the Polyrhythm. And, it will have a perfect element of Ensemble.

Avant-Prog of Japan that he had pulled to the shift in the 90's exactly sent the world various bands , for example, Ruins and Koenjihyakkei. It might remarkably show the situation of Avant-Prog of Japan of the 90's.

This band is a band to which Tathuya Yoshida created one concept in the band of Avant- Prog of Japan with such a flow having it. It is not an exaggeration to say that it will be a flow that derives from Ruins and Koenjihyakkei. The band was formed in around 1995. Another musician was taking charge of the Bass player and the guitar player. And, they enter the time of a little rest. However, they ..".. accomplish the revival as ..continuation.." Korejyojin in 1998. It is guessed that it is a base that this produces this album.

Drum player of "Ruins". Guitar player of "Bondage Fruit". And, the Bass player of "Altered States". The nature of the performance is exactly derivative to these uniting from the line of Ruins-Koenjihyakkei by natural acts of musicians active with Scene of Avant-Prog of Japan, too.

There might be the explanation of the origin of the name of the band by the interpretation when the culture and the character of Japan are considered and be a difficult point, too. "This" of "This Heat" is translated into "Kore". And, "Giant" of "Gentle Giant" is translated into "kyojin". Therefore, it is said that they are challenging music that draws the flow of This Heat and Gentle Giant intentionally in this form of three people.

It is a flow of the avant-garde of Ruins overall. Or, Improvisation that requires the agility. And, Ensemble done by three people and high quality atmosphere. These elements are consistent through the album. Three performances that do might overflow in exactly a little experiment and tension.

Review by SaltyJon
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Korekyojinn's albums have been pretty regular in my listening habits since I first heard the band last year. Something about this combination of musicians really hits me in all the right ways. I didn't get this album until I was already familiar with the group via the incredible albums Jackson and Swan Dive, and while it doesn't pack quite the same magnitude of punch as those two it's still pretty incredible stuff. Reading the other reviews here when I ordered it, I was a bit wary about what I was getting, even though three stars is still good, I wanted excellent. Thankfully I got what I'd consider in the very good/excellent range.

As others have said (and I've said in my reviews of other albums), the lineup of this group is Yoshida Tatsuya (needs no introduction if you're into the Japanese avant scene, drummer for Ruins/Koenjihyakkei/Acid Mothers Temple SWR, Daimonji, and about 10000 other bands), Kido Natsuki (guitarist from Bondage Fruit and Salle Gaveau), and Nasuno Mitsuru (bassist from Altered States/Ground Zero, etc). Together, they play some sort of bizarre funk/jazz/avant rock instrumental music. Along with the pre-composed pieces, there are three short improvs, which provide some contrast to the rest of the album. The composed pieces are electric, while these three tracks are mostly acoustic (the only exception seems to be Nasuno's electric bass, but it fits in well). Most of the music on display here is really exceptional though; a few of my favorites are the tracks "Four Holes in the Sky", "Out of Head" and "Poet and Peasant", all of which show up again on live albums in the future.

Future albums will take what's on display here and really refine it and concentrate it, but we can already see the incredible tightness of the music on display, and the seemingly psychic ability of all three to know what's going to happen with the music. There are tons of changes and shifts in the music, and they all flow along incredibly. This is a very solid debut, coming from three exceptionally solid musicians who seem to be enjoying themselves as well as playing the music, which is always a big plus for me. Four stars from me, easily earned.

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