01	Discontinuous Spiral						07:17
	02	Kraken's Brain Is Blasting						09:35
	03	Horobi no Kawa						06:53
	04	Backside Edge						06:50
	05	Slave Nature						06:41
	06	I am not here						09:13
	07	Shironiji						10:10

KBB - Four Corner's Sky

Released: 2003
Label: Poseidon/Musea
Cat. No.: PRF-008 (Poseidon) / FGBG 4501 AR (Musea)
Total Time: 56:24


Reviewed by: David Cisco, October 2003
If I can't say anything else about 2003, then I must say that this year has been an eye-opener (or maybe I should say ear-opener) for me. In 2003, my musical horizons have broadened immensely, thanks to the tremendous amount of absolutely great progressive rock being released by the armadas of supremely talented artists, both well-known and newcomers, from around the world. My biggest challenge, as PW's "lay listener" (i.e., consumer) reviewer, has been to not hand out "5/5" reviews to almost every CD I hear; believe me, I would if I could! That said, some releases are just so good that perfect marks are compulsory, which brings me to this month's co-winner (alongside Neal Morse's fabulous Testimony) of the coveted (yeah, right) "Dave's Fave" award, Four Corner's Sky by KBB.

KBB, now in its second incarnation, is a marvelously talented quartet from Japan, headed up by violin virtuoso Akihisa Tsuboy. Tsuboy's passion, both as a musician and composer, is completely infused throughout KBB's music and serves as the inspirational flame that fires the performances of his bandmates. On Four Corner's Sky, KBB serves up seven helpings of tasty jazz-rock fusion that will give fans fits of deja vu for the genre's halcyon days and have them digging up those worn out copies of Where Have I Known You Before, Imaginary Voyage, and Inner Mounting Flame for a few more spins.

"Discontinuous Spiral" is a heady opener, resembling a derivation of Jean-Luc Ponty's "Imaginary Voyage" suite, compressed into just seven minutes. Tsuboy's melodies (including a re-worked Irish jig) are breathtaking, as are the Corea-style Rhodes and synthesizer stylings of keyboardist Takahashi. The aptly-titled "Kraken's Brain Is Blasting" follows, a minor key romp that pits Tsuboy's violins against Dani's guitars and effectively conjures up the image of a monster with a migraine. Imagine "La Villa Strangiato" by way of UK and Return to Forever and you're almost in the ballpark! "Horobi No Kawa" slows the pace and allows Tsuboy to stretch out in some excellent duos, both with himself and bassist Dani, played over a sweetly Oriental piano melody. Drummer Shirou Sugano contributes "Backside Edge," a speedy jazz piece reminiscent of Ponty, Herbie Hancock and RTF in which all of KBB takes a turn in the solo spotlight. Takahashi's Hammond B3 opens "Slave Nature," which combines touches of Deep Purple, Steely Dan, and RTF in a true juxtaposition of rock and jazz. "I Am Not Here" opens with gentle pizzicatos from leader Tsuboy, then shifts back and forth between spacey incidental music and driving riff rock. Riff jazz, maybe? Dani picks up the guitar again for "Shironiji," the epic closer which begins as an AOR-style ballad, then drives Four Corner's Sky to its appropriate jazz-rock conclusion.

Alright, enough talk, here's the bottom line: Akihisa Tsuboy is a master craftsman, and KBB stands up to every other fusion unit currently out there, including the old masters. You won't find a better fusion release this year, so get your fix and check out Four Corner's Sky.

Rating: 5/5

More about Four Corner's Sky:

Track Listing: Discontinuous Spiral (7:16) / Kraken's Brain is Blasting (9:34) / Horobi No Kawa (6:51) / Backside Edge (6:48) / Slave Nature (6:37) / I Am Not Here (9:08) / Shironiji (10:10)

Musicians:
Akihisa Tsuboy - violins, cellolin, guitars
Toshimitsu Takahashi - keyboards
Dani - bass, guitars
Shirou Sugano - drums

Contact:

Website: tsuboy.internet.ne.jp/kbb/
Note: will open new browser window

Email: tsuboy@internet.ne.jp

Discography

Lost and Found (2000)
Four Corner's Sky (2003)




KBB - Four Corner's Sky Country of Origin: Japan
Format: CD
Record Label: Musea Records
Poseidon Records
Catalogue #: FGBG 4501.AR/PRF 008
Year of Release: 2003
Time: 56:25
Info: KBB
Samples: Click here

Tracklist: Discontinuous Spiral (7:16), Kraken's Brain is Blasting (9:34), Horobi No Kawa (6:51), Backside Edge (6:48), Slave Nature (6:37), I am Not Here (9:09), Shironiji (10:10)
KBB have been around since 1992, releasing their first album Lost and Found in 2000. By all accounts, judging from Nigel Camillari's review, a pretty impressive affair and now in September 2003 we see the follow-up to this with Four Corner's Sky. Although I have not heard their debut, it would need something special to equal this release. KBB's lineup has remained almost unaltered from their debut with the exception of Toshimitsu Takahashi who takes over the keyboard mantle.

I have to say that the violin (for me) is one of those instruments that in the wrong hands can inflict torture above human endurance, however, in the hands of someone as gifted as Akihisa Tsuboy, it is a joy and pleasure to listen to. Coincidentally Four Corner's Sky marks the second album to feature the talents of Akihisa that I have reviewed this year, having been most impressed by his contribution to the delightful Era album. However we should note that KBB is not just about one man, but four gifted players, who have fused together to make this fine instrumental album.

Because of the nature of the music and the instrumentation, probably best represented by the more intense Kracken's Brain is Blasting and I am Not Here, comparisons to Mahavishnu Orchestra or early Jean-Luc Ponty are probable. Although other than these two tracks I certainly found the rest of Four Corner's Sky to be more accessible and melodically paletable. Leaning therefore perhaps to some UK notions, but again I would be cautious as the complexity of the pieces here, far exceeds any arrangements to be found therein. KBB's music fuses together some those elements that can be found in the above by the melding of progressive rock with jazz rock. The combination of these intricate rhythms are nicely balanced by the accessible and concordant themes.

The opening track sets the tone for the whole album with Akihisa's tuneful violin complementing the complex but sympathetic backing. Discontinuous Spiral also features some fine interplay and solo sections from both Tsuboy and Takahashi and with the mood lightened by the Celtic reel that is interwoven into the piece. A truely wonderful track. Sharply contrasting this is the aptly titled Kracken's Brain is Blasting which takes us into the depths of jazz fusion, stretching the bounds of endurance in this somewhat heavy-weight track. Release comes in the form of Horobi No Kawa with its gentle and familiar pening piano melody. A beautiful and charming piece with some magical solo sections, Dani providing the first of these with his fluid fretless bass work, which later combines splendidly with Tsuboy's liquid style. Dani also takes up the gauntlet in Backside Edge, this time around his perculating bass work, reminiscent of Jeff Berlin, under-pinning the lengthy solo sections that pervade this track. Everyone comes to the party, including the as yet unmentioned, but excellent Shirou Sugano on drums.

Slave Nature makes a great companion to Backside Edge, a rockier track and one given a stronger edge by the inclusion of Tsuboy's driving guitar work. Although this is the only track to feature Tsuboy on guitar his command of the instrument is evident and worth noting his involvement with Strings Arguments, who's album The Encounter we also reviewed earlier this year. Slave Nature is broken by Takahashi's jazzy Rhodes-like piano solo which acts as the centrepiece here. I Am Not Here takes us once again into the fusion side of KBB, which opens delicately enough, however this is possibly the most difficult of seven tracks to take in. Again fine playing, but a little too avant-garde and cacaphonous for my taste. However the balance is restored with the closing track Shironiji which is full of meandering melodies and featuring some truly striking lead guitar from Dani, again another flowing and superb track.

In conclusion this was an unexpected but hugely pleasant surprise. The combination of the solid and inventive rhythm section, strong "dialogues" between the keyboards and violin along with the melodic structuring of the pieces made this compulsive listening. Definitely one for those with a leaning toward free flowing instrumentals and if any of the above 'referencing' artists feature in your collection, then this could serve as one of this year's best finds. - Heartily recommended!

Conclusion: 8.5 out of 10

Bob Mulvey