From Japan comes this interesting progressive fusion band Group Therapy, whose CD Melatomania differs greatly from much of the music coming from that country in recent years. Not as bombastic as Ars Nova or Gerard, not as technical as Kenso or Freewill, but more in the quirky jazz style of perhaps Tipographica. At many times I heard references to Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, Chicago, and perhaps a bit of RIO as well as King Crimson inspired improvisations.
"Akimarikan" kicks things off with a three-part suite that is both funky and adventurous at the same time. Featuring two guitarists (both of whom play in a Zappa inspired style), sax, trumpet, bass, drums, and violin, the band has a very rich and full sound, and the whole band gets to shine on this track. Group Therapy's gig is more about groove and extended solos rather than trying to knock the listener over the head with outright complexity. The title track is a great piece with upfront horns and snappy guitar rhythms. The sax and trumpet player trade aggressive solos, once again bringing to mind vintage Chicago, before giving way to a distorted, extended guitar solo. A short but rocking "Pay Me His Ransom" follows, with insistant horns and a bubbling guitar solo, which leads into the nine-minute "Incidents in Damascus", another three-part mini-epic which is a great mix of traditional Japanese music and free-form jazz experimentation. The last three tracks, "Oriental Breakfast", "Sekiwake", and "Saniwa", are a bit more laid back, and more in a contemporary jazz format. "Saniwa" is the best of the three, with some ominous horns and liquid guitar lines, but none of these tracks seem to have the fire of the CD's first half.
Melatomania is a fine fusion CD from a promising Japanese band that I'd certainly like to hear more from in the future.
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