Space Circus - 1979 - Fantastic Arrival

Space Circus 

1979

Fantastic Arrival

01. Heavy Duty Space Dragon (5:43)

02. Demon Blast (5:50)

03. Acryl Dream (7:40)

04. Pot People (6:13)

05. The Dawn of Aquarius Age (10:23)

06. Arcadia (4:48)

07. Fantastic Arrival (10:00)

- Okano Hajime / bass

- Ogawa Yoshikazu / drums

- Sano Yukinao / guitar

- Takashi Toyoda / keyboard, violin

Space Circus, what an intresting name for a band. They caught my atention few years back when I"ve discovered new to me japanese prog/jazz rock bands from late'70's. This band coming from near Osaka formed in mid '70's and releasing 2 albums before gone into oblivion. Thier second offer from 1979 named Fantastic arrival with a very intresting cover art is the best from the two. Quite inventive in places jazz rock with fusion elements and aswell with a clear progressive aproach make from this album a very worthy and enjoyble ride. The album is all instrumental with plenty of memorable parts like the first 2 pieces that opens the album Heavy Duty Space Dragon and Demon blast. Great musicianship , specialy the guitar work is quite inventive and has some spacey moments that are truly great. The rest of the instruments are not behind having spectacular parts, the drumer is very busy but he can offer some slow chops of the highest calibre, the bass is very proeminent in places with intresting and inovative passages. Some influences from Dixie Dregs specialy on Demon blast, some Camel prog rock warmness and here and there space prog is melted with the rest giving a special atmosphere. A great forgotten little album from the land of the rising sun. Ffans of prog rock and aswell jazz rock can easely dig this release, worth it for sure.

Whereas Space Circus' debut "Funky Caravan" traded in on the cliches of the late 70s era - fat funky bass lines, and overall danceable jazz rock - "Fantastic Circus" reaches further back into the fusion canon and emulated no less a luminary than Mahavishnu Orchestra. As the album cover demonstrates, this is one fiery affair certain to light you up. By far the better of their two albums.

Everything comes together on this album for me. I have always loved Japanese Jazz Rock Fusion as well as the Progressive Rock. I would say this is the better album of the two that they put out as it's more proggy and has all kind of obscure spacey effects on here with the keyboards. It's a shame that they only made just two albums, but maybe the cheesey fuzak would've come in if they continued on into the early 80s.

Most of these compositions on here are incredible with the opener Heavy Duty Space Dragon, that's just such a heavy cool way to start an album. My favourite on here would probably be that one & Pot People which is so funky, a really cool groovy jam.