KOUSOKUYA - First Live 1979

Miraculously unearthed live tape from one of the earliest incarnations of Tokyo heavy psychedelic legends Kousokuya. For a group with a 25-year history on the Tokyo underground scene, Kousokuya have left very little imprint of their activities. Once heard, though, their sound is unmistakable - a grinding, soaring sonic blackhole that charts the empty gulfs of tension-space like no one else this side of Fushitsusha. This tape, recorded at legendary 70s Tokyo underground venue Minor, captures Kousokuya at a formative stage in their existence - Micks blank, disembodied howl is present and correct, as is the choppy brilliance of Kanekos guitar playing. But the real surprise is synth player Hiroshi Yokoyama, who lasted just a few gigs with the group. He contributes great clots of synth-blurt to the mix, wailing and derailing, the soul of this groups genetic instability. Another piece of the jigsaw... -Alan Cummings $14.25 UPC: N/A ROCK\r\nHAINO, KEIJI: Yaranaiga Dekinaikotoni Natteyuku CD (PSF 8024CD). "Following Keiji Hainos recent experiments with acoustic guitar, solo Theremin and electronics, and percussion, this is his first guitar and vocal album in a couple of years. Emotionally devastating, gorgeously intense free-floating atmospherics that hark back to the folk-ed out genius of Affection, with a caustic blending of the layered, late-night guitar extrapolations of First Lets Remove the Colour. As masterfully singular as ever." -Alan Cummings