Kings' Boards. 1990 Japan

Recorded and released in the heyday of the Japanese progressive rock movement, Kings' Boards pulls together 5 ivory ticklers and pairs them with a hodgepodge of rhythm sections, for what can only be considered an instrumental progressive rock extravaganza. In many quarters, you will see this album released as the band Kings' Boards, but I don't think that's correct. It's a compilation very much in spirit to those on Musea or Colossus. That is to say, all new material recorded for the sole purpose of this one album.

The liner notes are telling if you're still unsure what you are getting into here. Instead of favorite Playmate, each one is asked to choose a favorite keyboardist. Keith Emerson wins with 2, and Tony Banks and Vangelis each got one vote. Only Motoi Sakuraba went outside the box and chose Japanese jazz pianist Kei Akagi.

As for the music, the main draw here is Naomi Miura, who was with the cutesy semi-prog band Rosalia at the time (who only managed an EP in their day). This is anything but cute, and the music has a distinct dark edge with lots of mellotron, Mini Moog, and wedgy twisted fuzzy organ. She is in fact predicting the rise of Ars Nova 2 years ahead of time.

The other track I quite like comes from Shigetomo Hashimoto, who was with a band called Ashule. I vaguely recall that name from back then, and RYM shows 2 unrated releases. If I recall correctly they were tape traded pretty heavily but never managed to release anything formally.

Of course the Motoi Sakuraba track that opens the disc is fantastic, but it was also released on his own debut Gikyokuonsou (which we've reviewed prior), and this now becomes redundant. But if you don't have that already, then you're in for a treat.

The last 2 tracks are good not great. Manabu Kokado is from White Fang, a band who also only managed one release (Crimson Waves). I never did hear it, but if memory serves they mixed glam metal with extended prog rock compositions - it wasn't such a bizarre concept in those days as it may sound now. The last one comes from Social Tension's Kodomo Endo, and his contribution here is a long way (unfortunately) from his Hammond fueled band.

One of the unique twists here is the mix of the rhythm sections. Mostly they were provided from members of Social Tension and White Fang, as well as the very obscure act Seilane, who I know nothing about.

CD: 1990 Made in Japan

I bought this CD not long after release. There isn't actually a copyright date anywhere, including the obi, which is highly unusual. The recording took place in the summer of 1990. My database shows I bought it in late 1991. So it's in that window for certain. The prevailing ruling is 1990, so we'll go with that.

Even though this CD is now quite rare, it's not super expensive like many from this time and place. Worth seeking out for hardcore keyboard gear heads.