Bi Kyo Ran (1982)

Bi Kyo Ran is often cited by progressive fans as a sort of Japanese King Crimson circa Red era, and Kunio Suma's guitar work is indeed, well, Fripperific. But Suma's guitar and occasionally yelped vocals in Bi Kyo Ran's opening track "Double" also resemble contemporary work by Rush. Still, such comparisons aren't entirely fair, as they've managed to create some unique progressive music here, all of which is sung in Japanese. Two ambitious pieces ("Double" and "Warning") stretch out to over 14 minutes in length, and this at ... Read More

Bi Kyo Ran is often cited by progressive fans as a sort of Japanese King Crimson circa Red era, and Kunio Suma's guitar work is indeed, well, Fripperific. But Suma's guitar and occasionally yelped vocals in Bi Kyo Ran's opening track "Double" also resemble contemporary work by Rush. Still, such comparisons aren't entirely fair, as they've managed to create some unique progressive music here, all of which is sung in Japanese. Two ambitious pieces ("Double" and "Warning") stretch out to over 14 minutes in length, and this at a time when stateside prog bands were falling over themselves to create four-minute radio fodder that wouldn't consign them to the tar pits of dinosaur bands. Bi Kyo Ran couldn't care less. They embrace classical composition and rock bombast alike; "Cynthia" is a charming instrumental of classical guitar, recorder, and violin reminiscent of The Steve Howe Album, while "Warning" has a stately interplay between arpeggiated guitar and keening Frippertronics. ~ Paul Collins, Rovi Read Less