There was some fair warning but nonetheless, wow! Here’s some background:

Since their mid-2007 major debut, jazz fusion band Gulliver Get (ガリバーゲット) have made some beautiful and inspiring music. The quintet quickly found their niche and delivered three singles and a mini album by early 2008. The late ’08 release of Gulliver Get’s fourth single (“Koi ni Ochita”) shook up the fine-cocktail jazz sound in a pop/rock-coated tumbler and the band’s latest album — which was released on February 4th, 2009 — splits the ‘sound’ right down the center.

From what I’ve heard, a majority of the tracks on スタートの青色 (Start no Aoiro, blue start) stay true to Gulliver Get’s jazz-inspired roots yet a small-but-strapping minority shoot off in a different direction. These tracks, which include singles and few others, take Gulliver Get’s sophisticated jazz sound out of the dimly lit, smoke-filled lounges and onto the sunny outdoor stages (airport runways?) set in front of a blue sky.

This striking stylistic dichotomy works because even though a song gets louder and faster and the guitar get more distorted, Gulliver Get’s musical prowess remains in tact even when the action appears somewhat tongue-in-cheek. The newer pop/rock-fueled approach means that the acoustic guitar is replaced by an electric, saxophone solos get shorter and integrated into the chorus, the bass goes from upright to horizontal, and the drums crash with ferocity.

Lead singer Ayao’s (アヤヲ) powerful vocals and the saxophony of Yuuichi Sakaguchi (阪口裕一) deliver nearly no matter the situation or song. These two powerful elements help cement Gulliver Get and their sound together regardless of the stylistic changes made. Bassist Yoichi Yamada (山田洋一), guitarist Takashi Yamamoto (山本隆), and drummer Kenji Tsuruta (鶴田憲司) complete the bonding process by adapting to the different directions the songs take.

It appears that Ayao went from seductive debutante to fun-loving girl. At least that’s the case in the PVs for “コイニオチタ” (Koi ni Ochita) and “Start no Aoiro”. While the song, “Koi ni Ochita” may have ventured a bit too far into pop territory, with it’s distinct GIZA Studio ‘pop sound’ (the band’s label), “Start no Aoiro” does a better job bringing the band’s jazz talents to a more mass appeal.

As for the album, it begins in charging, cheery pop/rock fashion. “Start no Aoiro” proceeds “Koi ni Ochita”. The third track, ‘週末なんていらない” (shuumatsu nanteiranai) brings the album back down to a more mature and relaxed jazz level. The tenacity and energy of the album’s beginning is replaced by beauty as Ayao’s vocal talent — as well as the other member’s expertise — come forward. A few more elements of Gulliver Get’s changing direction surface on tracks like “薔薇は彼女” (bara wa kanojo) but they manage to maintain a degree of original style. In addition to unique album versions of some tracks, Start no Aoiro includes and acoustic song as well as a bossa nova rendition of “Koi ni Ochita”.

Gulliver Get was fomed in Kyoto in 2001. Originally the instrumental trio of Yamada, Yamamoto, and Sakaguchi, Ayao joined and added her unique vocals in ’02. Since 2007, they’ve been signed with GIZA Studio.

Watch the PV for “Start no Aoiro” :

Now, experience the jazzy side of Guliver Get with a live performance of “紅い月～あの人に愛されますように”:

Visit Gulliver Get’s official site

Buy Start no Aoiro by Gulliver Get HERE and HERE

The maxi single’s cover art portrays the sugary blast that is “STORM” perfectly — with ‘pineapple grenades’.

The six-piece SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS is an interesting group of guys. Shacho (agitator, spirit), Tabu zombie (trumpet), Motoharu (sax), Josei (piano), Akita Goldman (bass) and Midorin (drums) perform their own intense brand of alternative jazz that they call “Death Jazz” . The band’s official English site explains what SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS are all about:

At its core, the group is about giving pulsating live performances. SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS combine the highest musicianship with the coolest of cool sounds and atmosphere. Their brand of jazz is rough around the edges, unadulterated entertainment and constantly kept at boiling point.

“STORM” is wonderfully quick and chaotic track that is barely contained. The song is an exhibit of when balanced instrumentation meets a cool, raw jam session. With a track time just over 3:30, “STORM” is fleeting. I could go for another 10 minutes.

The musicianship of the members of SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS makes itself known in every track. The next three on STORM continue with the same jamming ferocity as the title track.

“COME ON BABY” is from the animated movie Sugaikun to Kazokishi (菅井君と家族石, Sguy & The Family Stone) and “pro-seed” was featured on the NHK talkshow TOP RUNNER. The last track, “道” (Machi, street) is an 8:30-minute live track complete with all sorts of soloing.

Watch the PV for “STORM”

Buy Storm by SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS

SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS official site (English)

Gulliver Get’s latest mini album Episode ~桜の木の下で~ (Sakura no ki no shite de, Under the cherry blossom trees) comes out March 12. The jazz fusion band from Kyoto will play the Shinsaibashi Club Quattro in Osaka four days before, on March 8.

Gulliver Get (ガリバーゲット) is Ayawo (アヤヲ, vocals), Yamada Yoichi (山田洋一, bass), Yamamoto Takashi (山本隆, guitar), Sakaguchi Yuuichi (阪口裕一, saxophone), and Tsuruta Kenji (鶴田憲司, drums). The band formed in 2001 as the instrumental trio of Yamada, Yamamoto, and Sakaguchi. Ayawo joined the band in 2002, adding vocals into the mix.

The quintet’s virtuosity shines. Their work takes full advantage of each instrument coming from every direction. It seems they’ve found the equilibrium between the intricacy typical of jazz fusion and lucidity right for alluring vocals.

Since signing with GIZA Studio in 2007, Gulliver Get has been very active releasing an album and three singles. ~Sakura no Ki no Shite de~ is the first release since that debut album in December ’07.

Tracklisting:
01. 桜の木の下で
02. 夜更けに手紙
03. ピタゴラスの休日
04. 瞬きの瞬間に
05. Call my name
06. 深海

Have a listen to music on their official site

Watch Gulliver Get’s 3rd single “じゃあね” (Jyaa ne, Goodbye) performed live at RAG

Buy ~Sakura no Ki no Shite de~

The latest album from Special Others ‘Quest’ is now available. It’s release was February 6, 2008. While they do create some great music, don’t expect anything revolutionary this time around. Of the ten tracks in their quest only the song ‘Laurentech’ stands out above the rest. Perhaps it is because it sounds similar to AIMS from their last full album ‘Good Morning.’

One thing that I both like and dislike is how their songs seem to blend together. Being as most of their songs are jazzy instrumentals, you never know exactly which song you are listening to until you check. There is a bit of funk to this album, but if you had all of their songs on shuffle you would have to listen closely to tell them apart.

If you were going to introduce someone to Special Others, I would recommend the previous album. This one, while it offers decent music, it pails in comparison to Good Morning.

I’ll be looking forward to their next album with a hopeful eye and my fingers crossed. Their first full album set the bar for this unique band, and if we’re lucky the third one will be able to clear it.

[rating:6.0/10] 6.0/10

Have a listen at their site.

The multi-talented, multi-personaed, blue-nosed pianist’s 2nd album comes a year after his debut release, 5+2=11.

When H ZETT M (aka Hiizumi Masayuki),first debuted, it was like, “oh, that guy from the band PE’Z and formerly of Tokyo Jihen (東京事変) is going solo”. It seemed like a novel effort with strange music and even stranger looks; but he’s stuck around and continued to perfect his unique project.

Pianohead features 11 tracks with the song “ダイキライ” (Daikirai, Hate) being its lead single. Featuring vocalist HIRO:N, “ダイキライ” continues down an enigmatic path.

The PV for “ダイキライ” is suprisingly delightful. This time, our star sports a top hat and striped socks among other things. He also introduces a new look.

Tracklisting:
01. SLOW DAYS
02. ID CHECK
03. ダイキライ (Daikirai)
04. ワルツ (Waltz)
05. 夕陽 (Yuuhi)
06. 顔をつかまえる (Kao wo Tsukamaeru)
07. ニュースのじかん (News no Jikan)
08. 脳天気犯値 (Noutenki Okane)
09. チョコレイトイズマイライフ (Chocolate Is My Life)
10. BUSTER
11. Theme of PIANOHEAD

Watch “ダイキライ”:

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