Pesented by Japanese visitor Bikyoran
V.A. "Lost Years In Labyrinth II" Belle Antique label sampler 1995

This is prog-rock compilation album from Japanese Belle Antique label. Featuring exclusive material of Alan Case (Holland), Bi Kyo Ran, Negasphere, Trembling Strain and Cinema.







1. Fast Asleep - Alan Case
2. Dark Nights - Alan Case
3. Double (Ni-Jyu-Jin-Kaku) - Bi-Kyo-Ran
4. No More Rainy Day - Negasphere
5. Music For Aerial Sepultura - Trembling Strain
6. Take (Bamboo) - Cinema

Alan Case:
born Ernst van der Kerkhof, is a multi-instrumentalist who's been making music since 1989. His material, similar to Kayak and The Alan Parsons Project, is basically good symphonic pop: a mixture of straightforward rock songs, dreamy ballads and lots of melodious, catchy tunes – some of them with a decidedly proggy flavour. Sadly, his solo work was completely ignored by the music industry in his native Holland and he ended up with a Japanese label who released several of his songs on compilation albums.

Bi-Kyo-Ran:
One of the most important Japanese Progressive Rock bands. Forming in the '70s, the legendary Bi-Kyo-Ran played with the bristling energy, intensity and aggression of King Crimson mainly on the "Red" era, then alternately delicate and pastoral, with ample use of mellotron. The guitar sounds like a Fripp clone, although sometimes it gains a bit in originality. Despite the obvious cloning, the music is very well executed, and to complete the picture, a violinist is also featured. They are still active and most recently released "Anthology Vol. 1", a re-recording and updating of their earliest and best tunes. It features guitarist and leader Kunio Suma and drummer Masaharu Sato. Dynamic and impressive.

Negasphere:
Negasphere was active during the mid 80's and a live set came out in 1991 titled Negasphere 1985-1986 which may remind of UK, Genesis, National Health, and even Zappa. The vocals are very affected, like fish or one of his many imitators. The recording is fairly substandard. Overall impression: Nothin' really special.

Trembling Strain:
Elemental progressive music made with diverse ethnic and hand-crafted instruments. led by the enigmatic Pneuma (clinical psychiatrist by day...), they're something like Japan's version of the Third Ear Band. more so than Ghost.

Cinema:
Cinema includes the keyboard player, guitarist and drummer from Fromage's final line-up, as well as bassist, violinist and a woman vocalist with operatic qualifications. The band features some rather unusual instruments like the ocarina, violin, cello and viola, apart from the more traditional ones used in progressive rock. These give the music a somewhat full of delicate melodies and refined arrangements, enhanced by slow and solemn rhythms. Cinema is a perfect example of the Cinema's "symphonic" talent and the sensitivity of Japanese Progressive Rock in general. Just a beautiful stuff.

Download (cover art included)

Ripped & uloaded by Japanese visitor 美鏡乱 (Bikyoran).
Please leave comments for his great work!
美鏡乱さん、ありがとーございました^ ^