I normally don't get too excited about compilations or samplers as I feel an artist's true worth is contained within the context of a single studio album. However, Starless Collection 2 functions well as an introductory course to the current roster of artists on the Poseidon label. Poseidon is a Japanese label dedicated to its homeland's current crop of progressive rock artists and listening to this sampler reminds me once again of how underrated the Japanese progressive scene is.
KBB kicks off the CD with "Kraken's Brain is Blasting", perhaps my favorite song of the CD. Very much influenced by the Larks Tongues in Aspic era of King Crimson and chock full of David Cross inspired violin shredding and snaky Robert Fripp leads, "Kraken's Brain is Blasting" is the most overtly symphonic rock song of the sampler. However, KBB take a more refined approach than King Crimson and the keyboard textures are closer to that of fellow countrymen Outer Limits.
Fossil take up tracks two, three and four with "Upper Stream", "8*7=56 (Recitative)" and "Noble Fish Jumping" respectively. Fossil have a very relaxed and meditative sound, achieved mostly through acoustic guitar and some electronic textures. This is very nice stuff and quite comparable to vintage Popol Vuh.
Djamra offer up "Time Flies Like an Arrow". Djamra have an unusual lineup for a rock band as it consists of two alto sax players and a trombonist leading the charge over the drums and keyboards. Honking horns jazz it up with Flea like bass playing. I like this!
Igzit-nine are represented by "Honet's(sic) Nest" and is a Kenso inspired symphonic jazz track circa Yume No Oka.
Ausia contribute "Vision That You Give", a quite pretty and expansive classical piece. I particularly enjoy the seamless blend of indigenous Japanese folk music that Ausia interweaves within their classy take on chamber music.
Morsof's "Dada" is a very long and complex jazz rock piece that is good for what it is, but a tad too fast and busy for my taste.
Sixnorth contribute the first of two vocal tracks on the sampler, but the singing is sparse and not too dissimilar to Amanda Parsons. Speaking of which, "Magnetic Factor" sounds somewhat similar to Canterbury progressive music and can be likened to National Health.
Daimonji conclude the CD with the fourteen minute epic "Glimpse". Though they are trio of bass, drums and keyboards, do not expect Emerson Lake and Palmer. Instead, they have a jazzy sound with tinkling electric pianos and some Magma style scat singing. Again, this is a very good composition for those who enjoy the more avant-garde side of progressive music, but it's a little too out there for my listening pleasure.
So there you have it. Eight young Japanese bands with very different styles and influences vying for your attention. There's some extremely hot music emerging from the land of the rising sun these days and Starless Collection 2 offers up a fine sampling of what's currently cooking.
Track Listing
- KBB-Kraken's Brain is Blasting (9:43)
- Fossil-Upper Stream (1:25)
- Fossil-8*7=56(Recitative) (:59)
- Fossil-Noble Fish Jumping (2:59)
- Djamra-Time Flies Like an Arrow (4:29)
- Igzit-nine-Honet's Nest (6:24)
- Ausia-Vision That You Give (8:47)
- Morsof-Dada (12:22)
- Sixnorth-Magnetic Factor (6:54)
- Daimonji-Glimpse (14:35)
Total Time 68:40
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