FOUR CORNER'S SKY

KBB is a Japanese prog rock quartet, their instrumentation includes violins, cellolin, guitars, keyboards, drums and bass. They delivers a stunning second album featuring seven compositions. The rhythm-section is very strong and dynamic, the keyboards sound alternating (synthesizers, organ, Fender Rhodes piano), there is some good guitar work (howling guitar in the final track "Shironiji") but the focus is on the swirling violin play. It has elements from JEAN-LUC PONTY, EDDIE JOBSON and the famous (gypsy) players from the Rumanian folk-scene (like GREGOR SERBAN). The highlight on this album is "Kraken's brain is blasting": a fiery electric guitar solo and in the second part a spectacular break with dazzling violin play. Another great track is "Horobi no kawa", beautifully build up from slow with tender piano to mid-tempo with a flashing violin solo. The propulsive songs "Backside edge" and "Slave nature" contain fine solos on piano, organ, guitar and of course violin, all supported by a pumping bass (evoking JEFF BERLIN, known from his work with BILL BRUFORD). In "I am not here" the sound is a bit experimental and complex (like the early KING CRIMSON) with lots of violin and some heavy guitar work. If you like violin driven, instrumental symphonic jazz rock, this CD is yours!