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6-North, I’m Here In My Heart (58:23) Stream Line Records, SLR-0001, 2000 1-5-13 Mita Meguroku, #211 Tokyo, Japan 153-0062 (CD available through Musea records,
http://www.musearecords.com/ as MUSEA FGBG4358.AR) Led by bassist Hideyuki Shima, 6-North is an inventive Japanese fusion ensemble with a big, theatrical sound — call it Weather Report meets Pink Floyd meets Frank Zappa. Categories and genres are thrown into a mixing bowl on this engaging CD. The group opens with the prelude "Ajikan," an ancient Japanese song played by Bonchiku Hoshi on the exotic, flute-like Shakuhachi. The title track begins, its slow, dissonant funk recalling aspects of Bitches Brew. Pianist Eisuke Kato then takes over for a Keith Jarrett-like jazz tune titled "Inner Crystal." Moving on through the fast-moving figures of the ironically titled "Silence, Darkness" and the highly angular, paradisiacal sounds of "Circular Pinx," the album reaches a climax with the beautiful "Speakless." Shifting, colorful harmonies shift over a 7/8 time signature, setting up a lovely vocal performance by Chizuko Ura. Kato delivers a tasty synth solo and the tune fades out after a clean-toned, fluid workout by guitarist Shinju Odajima. Then on to the guitar-shredder frenzy of "Kundabuffer" and, lastly, the poetic "Where No One Has Gone," with beautiful acoustic guitar playing by Odajima.All these radical sonic transitions from track to track can be a bit unnerving, but the group does seem to achieve what it’s after: an unpredictable set that really takes the listener on a journey. ~David R. Adler
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