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Album cover

Shingetsu - Shingetsu Live 25-26 July 1979

Artist: Shingetsu
Title: Shingetsu Live 25-26 July 1979
Label: Musea FGBG 4571.AR
Length(s): 68 minutes
Year(s) of release: 2004
Month of review: [06/2005]

Line up

Shizuo Suzuki - bass
Naoya Takahashi - drums
Haruhiko Tsuda - guitar
Makoto Kitayama - vocals
Akira Hanamoto - keys

Tracks

1) Oni/Fragments Of The Dawn 10.29
2) The Other Side Of Morning 7.21
3) Influential Street 4.01
4) Afternoon-after The Rain 4.17
5) She Can't Return Home 4.15
6) Night Collector 5.07
7) Reddish Eyes On Mirror 5.11
8) Voyage For Killing Love Part 2 20.39
9) Return Of The Night 6.090

Summary

The music

Shingetsu was a Japanese progressive act operating in the late seventies. Their sound was more progressive and flowing than that of other Japanese bands, akin to classic Genesis, especially where the keys go. There are quite a number of key loops that are pure Banks. And judging from the pictures, the similarity is not musical only.

The recording quality of this concert given a month after the release of the band's debut album is at times poor. However, this is easily compensated for by the emotion and theatricality (that a word?) of the music. The band refrains from attempts at singing in English. The downside is of course that the vocals are sounds only to most, the upside is that there is animation, emotion in them. And a bit of a waver :) Unfortunately not all the material on this disc washes over you as much as the first two tracks do. A track like Influential Street just passes by a bit, especially if you compare it musically to such tracks as Oni and Afternoon with sweeping melodies and lingering guitar, which can compete not just on style but on impact too. But then again, Genesis produced such interlude oriented tracks as well. Fact is that the majority of tracks Is strong, both in intensity and melody.

Clearly, Shingetsu takes a lot of credit from Genesis. Having said that, the band do blend in a lot of Japanese influences. The synths for instance regularly breathe warm quality of Kitaro synths. But we also get some more traditional Japanese sounds.

Conclusion

I'm not a big fan of Japanese prog. Most of the time it's too technical and/or cold. Shingetsu bring a lot of drama and emotion to this live show, accompanied with great compositions. Those appreciating Genesis at the peak of the Gabriel era will in all likelihood find this release much to their liking. I know I found it to mine. Sure, this one won't do anything in the originality contests, but if The Musical Box can do a sold out tour with The Lamb, this album should be a bestseller.

© Roberto Lambooy