IGZIT-NINE

IGZIT-NINE were a four piece Jazz Fusion band out of Japan releasing this their only studio album back in 2003. Such a great year for me musically but this particular recording is average for me at best. These guys can play, no doubt about that but it's the compositions that seem a little one dimensional to me. The track lengths, the tempo of the music and sound is very similar throughout this record. And yes I'm exaggerating some here but it all sounds the same to me. We get drums, guitar, bass and keyboards and the latter has piano and synths leading the way. I do like the guitar best on "Aerostation" the closer but in my opinion it's the variety of keyboards that are more prominent than the guitar unfortunately. And come on calling the opener "Honet's Nest" is just too funny. Most seem to place this around 3.5 stars.

One shot wonder from Japan, Igzit-Nine offering only one album selftitled in 2003, issued at Musea records in collaboration with japanese label Poseidon.

Well, this is fairly solid progressive jazz fusion with a touch of jazz rock here and there. The compositions are well played, all album is instrumental, nice duels between musicians, specially the keyboards and guitars are in places impressive. What is to mention is that the arrangements are concentrated on melodic side rather then on technical virtuasity, that doesn't mean the album is easy listning, quite contrary, lots of tempo changes, solos and breaks, anf the musicians really know to handle the instruments. In places they remind me of another bands from Japan like Kehell, Ain Sops or Kenso.

A nice, all round instrumental prog jazz fusion release that will pleases both camps, prog and jazz fusion. 3.5 stars for sure.

This is the debut album by Igzit-Nine and again shows that there are plenty of strong jazz- fusion bands in Japan. Since the recording of the album the rhythm section has been replaced by the guys from Sixnorth ? I don't know the reason why as the ones on the album seem to be doing a strong job to me. This album has much more of a progressive feel about it than others, definitely much more in the fusion vein than just avant garde jazz (I use the word 'just' very loosely of course).

With each song about five minutes long, it allows the band to stretch out while not getting to far away from the theme. This is music that is structured and complex, with many layers so that the listener needs to pay attention to get the most out of it. It is music that both jazz fans and progheads will enjoy while those into fusion will have a blast. Not too far out of the norm, its very listenable nature makes this an album to savour.

Originally appeared in Feedback #78, April 2004