DAICHI [AKA: FROM THE FULL MOON STORY]

Water drops and birds, this is how it starts. Followed by an electronic loop it ends into an oriental theme whose first notes remind to the soundtrack of Tomb Raider II. No enemies to kill; this soundscape is meditative and the sensations that it gives me are like those of the Tibet Suite by Lucia Hwong. It's only defect is that's too short. This is KRPA, whatever it means.

"Aurora" is a melodic piece with sliding notes that's quite successful in raising mental images of high hills and woods. If you are in the right mood for dreaming about far east natural landscapes, this is perfect.

New Age? I think yes up to here, but it fades into "Hikari No Mai". My google japanese teacher says it means "ray of light". Minor chords, percussion, drums and a sort of helicopter going left and right through the speakers. No. this is not New Age. If it wasn't for the specific keyboard sounds, it could be mistaken with Vangelis, including the floydian coda of what seems to be a traditional Japanese theathrical performance (Absolutaly Curtain, is what I mean for floydian).

Back to far eastern soundscapes with "Fuji". Can a title be less Japanese than this? I can only say that being in the right mood, this music enters your soul. I can understand how Kitaro ended to make one album with Jon Anderson as guest. There's a bit of a Topographic Ocean inside this track.

"Full Moon" is on the sad side, due to the progression of minor chords. Again it's not much different from Vangelis who is the closest artist to compare Kitaro to, even with the far eastern element that's a constant presence. Usually I don't like tracks fading out, but this is an exception.

"Resurrection" starts with electronic sounds, then a subtle high-pitched sound mimic of a wooden flute enters in background bringing with him a set of interesting sounds. Not a specific melody, at least not in foreground as something happens in background. The best album track for prog-eared listeners. I think Kitaro means the resurrection of Nature after the night.

"From Astral" is initially based on percussion and a sitar like sound together with a traditional strings instrument, it seems. After about two minutes of this unusual soundscape, it becomes more regular. Probably it's because I'm a true fan of Vangelis, but Kitaro is quite similar. At least he gives me similar sensations.

"Heavenly Illusions" starts like Shine on You Crazy Diamond, but just for few seconds, but again it's closer to the Vangelis of Albedo 0.39 or China than to Pink Floyd. It also reminds me to the early Tangerine Dream. But when the "Illusion" ends, in the middle of the track, it's like a Maya veil is raisen. Now the percussion change it drastically and the chords below are low-pitched and dark.

Finally, "New Lights" is the closer and also the longest album track. Sea shore, ocean waves, then after about 1 minute a harped sequence of two chords take the lead. Repetitive like Tangerine Dream, slowly growing into something else with a hypnotic sequence of 4 echoed, squared waves, notes. Repetitive but relaxing.

Let your mind travel far.