http://www.progwalhalla.nl/recensies/index.php?page=recensie&ID=149 ----------------------------------------------------------------- MIZUKAGAMI – Yugake (***1/2) - This is the second album by Japanese five piece band Mizukagami, reading the wide range of analogue keyboards I got excited: several Moog synthesizers and a Mellotron, electric piano, string-ensemble, digital Hammond organ and a harpsichord! - So it’s no surprise the six tasteful and varied compositions are loaded with those unique keyboards: compelling with lush organ and dreamy with flute-Mellotron and harpsichord in the titletrack, choir-Mellotron, twanging guitar with flute-Mellotron and a mid-tempo with flashy Moog synthesizer flights (along howling guitar) in Hanamizake, heavy Hammond waves in Yatagarasu and a bombastic Hammond sound in the alternating final song Ruten – Ame. I also loved the guitarwork (from twanging acoustic guitar to howling electrci guitar runs, often in combination with the keyboards) and some work on real flutes (along the flute-Mellotron). The female singer has a decent voice in the mellow songs but in the more heavy and bombastic track she lacks power, like in Hanamizake. But fortunately the focus is on the guitars and keyboards, that makes this CD in general to a pleasant musical experience. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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The latest release on the Poseidon label is the second offering from Tokyo band Mizukagami. Their first album made a nice impact on the current Japanese symphonic prog scene and Yugake is a very worthy follow-up. The band takes a softer, pastoral stance on most of the material here, but that’s not to say there isn’t tension and heavier moments in some spots. They consider themselves influenced by the 70s prog classics like Genesis, King Crimson and Renaissance and this is definitely evident but there’s also an originality to their music.
The key to the band’s sound comes from the fact that they are five solid musicians. The first one that I focused on while listening was vocalist Futaba. She has a very strong and beautiful voice that blends in perfectly with the music. She also plays flute but unlike Kazumi Suzuki (of Naikaku), her playing is more subdued. Another main ingredient in the Mizukagami sound comes from keyboardist Junya Anan, who provides endless layers of lush keyboard sounds and writes the music. Most of Junya sounds have an orchestral flair and he incorporates lots of mellotron and string synth in his playing. Guitarist Yasuo Asakura must also be credited for his talented playing. His playing style is very beautiful reminding me of folks like Anthony Phillips and Any Latimer. In addition to the electric and acoustic guitars, Yasuo also plays lute and mandolin. The rhythm section are no slouches either. Keiichi Yanagawa on bass and Keita Kamiyama on drums keep the rest of the band on their toes.
There really isn’t much that can be said about this band other than they play brilliant symphonic prog on the lighter side. This is the kind of stuff I really enjoy and fits in with bands like Theta, Interpose, Asturias, KBB and Ashada very nicely. Also the 80s band Pageant would be another reference point.
And even though it’s just a Photoshop job, I really like the cover art on this one…very soothing. There’s a nice collage of photos on the CD tray as well. I also like the song titles that are translated to English. They create a nice peaceful reference for the songs and give an insight to the meanings. While the music presented here is a little subtler than most of the Japanese albums, I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to explore this country’s wealth of progressive rock.
The lush, rich vintage analog sounds of the 70's are alive and well on the second release Yugake from Japanese progressive band Mizukagami. This quintet has crafted six daring and musically intricate compositions that exemplify the best of what Japanese symphonic prog has to offer. Female vocalist Futaba delivers some absolutely enchanting and ethereal sounding vocals and her flute playing is equally impressive as well. Keyboardist Junya Anan deploys an arsenal of dazzling runs on his vintage synthesizers and employs a warm, opulent ambience via some inspiring Mellotron work. Together along with guitarist Yasuo Asakura, who turns in more than his fair share of dazzling and inspired sounding runs, these two musicians are clearly the drivers of Mizukagami's King sound.
If you're at all familiar with what the Japanese progressive scene has had to offer in recent years then it shouldn't be too hard to classify or figure out Mizukagami's sound, which is deeply rooted in the classic sounds of some of progressive rock's finest acts.