Playlist Radioshow "Psyche van het Folk", Radio Centraal, Antwerpen : 2003-08-27 : Genius works of Yoshida Tatsuya and its post Zeuhl elements : Ruins and its side projects (Koenjihyakkei, Magaibutsu). At first there was Magma in France, with dark composed music in 70's, with mad vocals and interesting drum & bass passages. It was music which was very ahead of their time. This mystic group sung in their own invented language. Their music style was called Zeuhl by their fans. There are similarities with the RIO movement styles, like with the movement the Belgian Univers Zero caused in historical perspective. Some members of Arkham (related with the later UZ) joined Magma too. Mid nineties the Japanese group Ruins came more and more inspired by this group, but had and still have their own individual style. At first basically bass and drums, the addition of extra vocals, and sometimes keyboards made them comparable as follow ups with lots of energy and in their own individual way, with complexity and intelligence. INTRO * Seventh Rec. Christian Vander : Les cygnes et les corbeaux (F,1997-2002)*** Prologue : Tr.2, "Sahïss Sïïaaht" 6 min (*****) Tr.5, "Le Semeur vers le nord" 2 min 8 Recording with mad vocals, piano, choir, orchestra unfortunately on only a couple of tracks, and with very tempered vocals and orchestrations on the other tracks. I especially like the mad parts. The other parts are nice but repetitive. They are followed by somewhat chaotic, mostly instrumental contemporary classical music. This is the latest work by Magma leading figure Christian Vander. The first chosen track is with lots of brooding tension. Info on Magma : http://members.aol.com/sleeplessz/index.htm (schmidt@plg.u-nancy.fr) Reviews of Magma releases : http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/magma.htm (I especially recommend Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh (1973), Kohntarkosz (1974), Üdü Wüdü (1976) ; I didn't hear all of the works). And at http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/list.php?show=m Reviews of earlier Vander releases : http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/vander.htm (I like Tristan et Iseult very much) Pictures of Christian Vander : http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Christian_Vander.html Magma interview : http://www.furious.com/perfect/magma2.html Original label's WebPage : http://www.seventhrecords.com/indexuk.html RUINS : (* Magaibutsu Ruins : 1996-1992 (JAP, released 2001)** Tr.11, from Ruins 12'EP (1987) : "Ripples" 3 min) left out for shortage of time. * Magaibutsu Ruins : 1996-1992 (JAP, released 2001)** Tr.22, "Praha in spring" (1992) 5 min 5 -13 The drum and bass leads this melody strongly, with some, double vocals, more recognizable elements, and a few avant garde elements and surely lots of tempo changes. The full complexity of the band will evolve. Very early Ruins recordings, some of the earliest demo's are unfortunately not that well recorded. Review : http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/r/ruins/1986-1992.shtml * Tzadik Ruins : Hyderomastgroningem (JAP,rec.1993)***°° Tr.8, "Zurna Taksim" 1 min Tr.11, "Memories of Zworrisdeh" 6 min Tr.12, "Skyscraper" 3 min Tr.18, "Speed Ball" 3 min Tr.19, "Ordinary People in Idaho" 5 min 18 -31 One of their most interesting early works, with lots of composed ? tempo changes, drums and bass mostly, some mad vocals. In track 11 the rhythm change pattern is a melody on its own. The tracks I air played are genius like, *****. It's most close to the bass and drums with vocals fundament of invention of the Ruins group. This is an album that changed and opened up my taste, vision on music. Not much is comparable. Reviews : http://www.wkonline.com/a/Hyderomastgroningem_B000003YTY.htm Review : http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=ruin-hyd Label review (soundfile with very bad recording quality and with lower sound than original) : http://www.tzadik.com/CDSections/NewJapan/ruins.html Review : http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/Ruins.html * Tzadik Zubi Zuva : Jehovah (JAP, 1996)*? A completely capella group of Ruins Yoshida, with Shibasaki Yukifumi, Takahashi Hideki. Might need more time from me. Label review (with soundfile) : http://www.tzadik.com/CDSections/NewJapan/zuva.html Other review : http://www.forcedexposure.com/artists/zubi.zuva.html * Tzadik Ruins : Symphonica (JAP,1998)***°° Tr.1, "Thebes" 8 min 39 With two additional operatic singers and piano (and some mellotron), Ruins music comes closer to a post Magma style, in their own individual way. Track 1, 3 and 4 stand out. Unique *****. The other tracks have a bit less clarity and are a somewhat more overloaded. Label entry : http://www.tzadik.com/CDSections/NewJapan/symphonica.html Review : http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=ruin-sym & at http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/Ruins.html Review : http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/ruins.htm German review : http://www.babyblaue-seiten.de/album_1209.html & http://joerg-schumacher.net/x_music_aotm.html (album of the month) * God Mountain Koenji Hyakkei : Hunderd Lights of Koenji (JAP, 1995?)*** Tr.2, "Doi Doi" 7 min 7 -46 Less Magma references as in next release. But this track is definitely in post Zeuhl style. With large? band. Info on Koenji Hyakkei : http://www.gnosis2000.net/reviews/koenji.htm Review at http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/Ruins.html and http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=koen-koen * God Mountain Koenjihyakkei : Koenjihyakkei (II)(viva Koenji !!), (JAP, rec.1996)****° Tr.1, "Grembo Zavia" 11 min Tr.4, "Quidom" 4 min Tr.7, "Cembell Rota" 5 min Tr.9, "Guoth Dahha" 10 min 30 -76 Here this group became a bit "the Japanese version / interpretation of Magma", pretty heavy and with various ideas and tempo changes, "song" orientated, performed by with male / (operatic and crazy) female vocals (in their own invented "magical vocals"- language), drums, electric bass and keyboards. "Brahgggo" has tabla and an odd pipe like instrument. Unique. Highly recommended release. Extremely difficult to choose tracks. Incredible fast accompanying and leading drum and bass work with operatic vocals, electric guitars and keyboards at 9th track. Unique. Info on Koenji Hyakkei : http://www.gnosis2000.net/reviews/koenji.htm Review at http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/Ruins.html & http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=koen-ii * Infinite Rec. Koenjihyakkei : Nivryam : (JAP, 2000)***°° Tr.2, "Becttem Pollt" 6 min Tr.3, "Lussesoggi Zomn" 11 min Tr.4, "Vissaquell" 6 min Tr.6, "Axall Hasck" 7 min 30 -106 5 piece group with Yoshida, in symphonic RIO style with progressive rock elements. An album with more attention to keyboards (improvisations and outbursts). Only instrumentally at some moments a bit like Deus Ex Machina on speed, but again (-I always have to say this when compairing to any other group-) with much more tempo changes, and vocal arrangements and even a lot more musical ideas. At track 6 I was very much reminded with the mellotron passage with heavy band sound at some track of Anekdoten. This is another remarkable release. For special interest of progressive rock lovers. Highly recommended. Info on Koenji Hyakkei : http://www.gnosis2000.net/reviews/koenji.htm Review at http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/Ruins.html & http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=koen-niv & http://stevehegede.tripod.com/japan.htm German review : http://www.babyblaue-seiten.de/index.php?albumId=1092&content=review * Disk Union Anekdoten : Vemod (SW,1995)***°° * Border Music Anekdoten : Nucleus (SW,1995)****° * Private Anekdoten : From Within (SW,1999)****' A track to compare the mellotron / band instrumentation. In this show I preferred a mostly instrumental track, but couldn't find any such suitable track. Anekdoten were obviously influenced by King Krimson and possibly some music of the more interesting metal scezne too in Sweden and Norway, I wonder. Webpage : http://www.anekdoten.se/ Review : http://www.progressor.net/review/anekdoten_1999.html * Magaibutsu Ruins : Vrresto (JAP,1998)***? Info : http://www.japanimprov.com/indies/magaibutsu/vrresto.html Review at http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/ruins.htm * Magaibutsu Ruins : Pallaschtom (JAP,2000)***? A very heavy release. Less accessible. Last three tracks on it are a too quick medley of classical, then hard rock and progressive rock medley's. Could be used for a contest for fans of good music. Quickly followed up riffs. Info : http://www.nekoma.com/hisashi/mu_nr.html#pallaschtom & http://www.japanimprov.com/indies/magaibutsu/pallaschtom.html Review at http://www.gnosis2000.net/reviews/ruins.htm * Magaibutsu Ruins : Tzomvorgha (JAP,2002)***** ° Tr.2, "Skhanddraviza" 4 min Very odd vocals. Ruins sound a bit like on "Hydero.." but even much more advanced. With the incredible bass of Sashaki, electric guitars and drums. Splendid electric guitar too. Good production in sound. Tr.3, "Mennovuoght" 5 min Nicely fitting track, similar, with double vocals. With heavy complex bass, and wild drums, original electric guitar. Tr.4, "Messiaen" 3 min Acclaimed to be based upon (the contemporary classical composer) Messiaen ? Fits perfectly too. ° Tr.5, "Wanzhemvergg" 6 min 18 - 124 Strangely enough this track has also some trance electric guitar and vocals arrangements with modern beats on drums part, beside the usual complex composing. ° Tr.9, "Muoljimbog" 3 min Tr.10, "Gurthemvhail" 3 min Tr.11, "Pachtseills" 3 min 9 -133 In track 10 are some funky and other themes and tempo changes mixed perfectly and very fast to a sold whole. This is an incredible release. Incredible tempo changes, inventive vocals,.. with perfect production. Not played in the show but also worth to mention is a great version of an Indian tune: Tr.12, "Chtittam Irangaayo" (6 min). Funny is also the véry quick medley of Black Sabbath tunes in Ruins versions followed by a similar Mahavishnu Orchestra medley. Possibly one of the best, and most consistent of the Ruins releases, under their own name, with a fantastic "full" sound. Review : http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/r/ruins/tzomborgha.shtml * Magaibutsu Yoshida Tasuya : Magaibutsu (JAP,1991)*? Solo work from Ruins bass player. Some individual avant garde ideas. A private homestudio work. German review : http://www.nomansland-records.de/news/magaibutsu.html Japanese page on Yoshida : http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/9399/yoshidabio.htm * Magaibutsu Yoshida Tatsuya : A million years (JAP,1997)***? Tr.3, "Vreschigo" 6 min (shortened a bit because of recording quality) Tr.6, "Drevoredo" 4 min (shortened because of repetitive nature) -143 Already a much more interesting later solo work, with interesting approach and ideas. With piano, vocal arrangements, prog elements, and much more. Through time limitations I could only choose two tracks. I'm not sure if first chosen track is recorded well, but I preferred to include it because of the post Zeuhl elements. Review at http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/display.php?rev=ty-amy Review at http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/Ruins.html * Magaibutsu Tairikuotoko vs Sanmy Akuonna : Viva Young Florida (JAP,1998)? Tr.8, "Sinné" 8 min 150 Yoshida's side project with 5 other musicians and 2 guest musicians, in a difficult to define style mixture varying from prog to jazz, and beyond all that.. It's not as heavy evolving or always as fast as Ruins, but it has lots of tempo changes too, and it's with much more instruments playing their own role. Not easy to get a grip upon. May be a bit like Sammlas Mammas Manna on speed. I played this (psych) folk tune with an Irish flavour in singing to end the show. Review at the bottom of http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/Ruins.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Info on Ruins : (Yoshida) magaibutsu@mac.com Webpage : http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~ruins/frame.html Reviews : http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/ruins.htm & http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/Ruins.html Stupid article on Ruins seen by a regular MTV listener I guess : http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/03.28.01/ruins-0113.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Info on Japanese prog : http://progressive.homestead.com/japan.html http://www.geocities.com/1-0/REVIEWS/article.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other playlists : http://psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com/2003.html General index page : www.radiocentraal.be/psychevanhetfolk More detailed index page : http://psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com/index.html Receive weekly playlist before the radioshow with new on line reviews and various additional comments / news : ontvang wekelijks playlist vòòr de radio-uitzending : Subscribe / schrijf u in : psychevanhetfolk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com