Record Reviews

SIDE STEPS ~ ALIVE II POSEIDON 044 ~ JAPAN ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 - 2007 Released: 2007 6th album by Japanese Fusion heroes Side StepsFind albums by this artist and (as the title suggests) their second live album. Over the years the band established itself as the primary Fusion act in their country. All the band members (Atsunobu TamuraFind albums by this artist – guitar, Hiroaki ItohFind albums by this artist – keyboards, Koichi IwaiFind albums by this artist – bass and Ichiro FukawaFind albums by this artist – drums) are superb instrumentalists and they perform with vigor and passion. The excellent melodies serve as ideal vehicle for extended instrumental improvisations, often played at neck-breaking speed. This is the kind of music every Fusion fan craves for.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SIDE STEPS ~ STEPS ON EDGE MUSEA 4511 (Barcode: 3426300045119) ~ JAPAN ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1993 Released: 2003 1st album by Japanese Prog / Fusion quartet Side StepsFind albums by this artist, which was one of the most promising and interesting debut Fusion albums of the 1990s. The band features the classic guitar / keyboards / bass / drums lineup and plays amazing instrumental music, usually at neck-breaking speed. These young musicians seem to have mastered their instruments from the cradle, otherwise it’s quite impossible to explain the virtuosity displayed here. The compositions are equally strong, which makes this album a particularly enjoyable experience. Stylistically the band borrows some of their elements from UzebFind albums by this artist, Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist and many other (mostly European) Fusion masters, but they definitely have enough originality to be considered masters on their own. If you like fiery Fusion like Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist and beyond, you will enjoy this album immensely. Highly recommended!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend