Yonin Bayashi

First having existed as San-Nin (=trio group) since 1970 with an extra member and keyboard player they became Yonin-Bayashi (=quartet band) a year later. Different in style from most Japanese albums this is more “progressive-rock” styled than usual, although the fundament does not always sound so progressive, with its softrock, moments of mainstream kitschiness and soft hardrock flashes, a certain progressive sound remains smoothly part of it the whole way through. The softer sung parts in the beginning, with relaxed disco strings works only at first slightly disturbing the expectations, but listening to where the relaxed guitars and keyboards lead to further, it becomes clear it is much more than something ordinary here. The “progressiveness” never is leading or going too far, like a bolero-rhythm for instance, a breakout percussive part or a keyboard/guitar improvisation, an occasional weird moog moment, it still is strong enough to conquer the slight weakness of the small softrock approach parts, so once this aspect and combination is accepted, the album reveals something rather enjoyable and entertaining, edging towards something almost symphonic even without really becoming so.

More complete album discography :

1'Hatachi No Genten' [Toho, 1973]

2'Ishoku-Sokuhatsu' ('Explosive Situation') [Tam, 1974].

3'Golden Picnics' [CBS, 1976]

4'Painted Jelly' [Canyon, 1977]

5'Live '73' [Toho, 1978],

6'Pao'or 'Bao' [Canyon, 1978],

7‘Triple Mirror’ [TAM, 1978],

8'Neo-N' [Canyon,1979]

9'Dance' [BGM/Victor, 1989],

10'Live Full House Matinee' [BGM/Victor, 1990]

There's lso a CD called :