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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
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One of the late records by the legend of Japanese 60's rock and not widely known, the fact that surprised me. Because the material and the quality of performance make it one of their strongest works. The whole album is made in one sort with domination of heavy blues and even two original compositions (the rest is covers as usual) are very worthy and not falling out of common range.
The disk starts from poppy enough Joy To The World but even here – despite of its flippancy – you can feel the harshness of sound. The choice of covers speaks for itself: there are first-class versions of Van Morrison's song I've Been Working So Hard, The Allman Brothers' hit Midnight Rider and even famous hard rock number Nantucket Sleighride by American rumblers Mountain.
And the following tune, band's original The Ballad In E Minor written by John Yamazaki (who played later with Shinki Chen and Yonin-Bayashi) don't yield to it in heaviness being in spite of its name not a ballad but slow blues. The last but one tune is cool proto-progressive 8 minute instrumental composition titled just Untitled. Blending together distorted bluesy guitar and forceful flute it is credited to band's guitarist Eddie Ban.
The final Ain't No Rules In California from repertory of American band Blues Image is played as powerful hard rock jam and sounds just thrilling. No doubt that Japan of 1971 had much stronger releases but these veterans showed here very worth result. Really good work.
01. Joy to the World 3:23
02. I've Been Working So Hard 6:06
03. Midnight Rider 4:53
04. I Shall Be Released 5:51
05. Nantucket Sleighride 6:38
06. The Ballade in "E" Minor 4:54
07. Untitled 8:45
08. Ain't No Rules in California 10:19
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