NEMURERU MICHI

Extremely rare Mongol's work was released at the year of recording ( differently, their only studio album was recorded, mixed and released during ten years after they were really active band),Even studio album is rare work, but those who heard it know, that Mongol there demonstrates very technical, well balanced symphonic /jazz-rock fusion. Really, very attractive work.

Nemureru Michi is released when the band still was active, so even because of that it is interesting one. All musicians are credited as "Doppel-Gangers", but in fact it is the same team as on debut album: Hirofumi Mitoma (Guitars), Takeshi Yasumoto (Keyboards), Naoto Amazaki (Bass), Kiyoshi Imai (Perc).

Band's music is heavy based on electronic keyboards and guitar sounds, but I was really surprised how different it is from their "Doppler 4444" album. If on "Doppler 4444 " the band sounds as some kind of UK, mixing technical instrumental progressive symphonic rock with heavy fusion into very competent and technical well balanced mix, on "Nemureru Michi " you can listen extremely radical form of this mix!

Sound quality is at demo-tape level, sound mixing is terrible, but all these make their music even more radical. In fact, almost all compositions there are sharp sounds attacks on your nerves! Keyboards sound is killing, fast and nervous, guitar is a bit on the second plan, but many solos are of the same manner, as keyboards. Music is more electronic, noisy, symphonic element almost doesn't exist there. More fast, than heavy. Almost shocking.

Two songs on the album are coming from different musician. In fact, musical style there is more experimental electronics, than any form of fusion.

Album is no way pleasant, but experimental and in some sense interesting. For listeners with strong nerves.

Maximum 2,5 for experimental music.

P.S. Guitarist Hirofumi Mitoma same year released very strong jazz-rock fusion album with another Japanese band NOA (in very Holdsworth's key).

Relatively unknown Janapanese Prog-Fusion band.Infos are scarce around Mongol,the band was active still from the 80's and led by keyboardist Takeshi Yasumoto.In 1987 they released a very rare cassette on Road Records entitled ''Nemureru Michi''.All members are listed as Doppel-Ganger on the back cover,but the compositions are all credited to Takeshi Yasumoto,except the first and last track,which were covers of tracks from Emmanuel Booz's ''Dans quel état j'erre''.

Side A opens with ''Opening'',which is entirely built on synths/electronics and drum programming,very fram from Booz's original version,but ''Out Of Bounds'' shows a completely different style,again heavy electronics are mixed with fusion-esque guitars and electric piano with a light Canterbury edge,like a mix between UK and ALLAN HOLDSWORTH.''.Biomechanoid'' continues in a same path,unbearable drum machines surrounded by excellent guitar work and strong synth work.The short ''Cold Turkey'' is as close to UK as it gets,deep synths and endless guitar soloing with groovy drum programming.''Planet Kemool'' is trully dissonant,based on complex synths,freak-out drum machines with a couple of electric piano/guitar soloing moments thrown in.

Side B consists of three longer tracks and starts off with ''Damian'',the track is built around plastic synths and a constant rhythm and it cant be saved from mediocrity.The eponymous ''Nemureru Michi'' is again very dissonant with cheap but very complex synths and ultra-heavy bass lines and has almost a metallic edge,but tends to be very boring along the way.''Armoire et Persil'' is again an Emmanuel Booz's cover track and actually the original version contains heavy synth work as well.Mongol cover the track in an all instrumental version,which is actually quite interesting and unique with deep and decent synth work all the way.

This band had certainly talent,most of their ideas are actually great,but the horrible drum programming,the insufficient mix and some video-games sounding synths would spoil the good effort.Recommended for die-hard fans of UK,ALLAN HOLDSWORTH and Canterbury Fusion,who cant get enough of this taste and dont mind the aforementioned strong disadvantages...2.5 stars.