Steve Hillage,Gong/Tokyo,Japan 2018

Continuing the wishes of founder David Allen, GONG came to Japan with Steve Hillage, who became the keystone of the “RADIO GNOME trilogy”. A live series that completely records the whole story is now available. The tour to Japan, which took place at the end of October last year, included a total of four performances. All of them will be released in two sets of the best audience recordings, vacuum-packed by the same recording artist. The second part of this work includes the “October 31, 2018: Tokyo (Evening Section/Night Section)” performance. First, let’s organize the series structure by schedule.・October 30: Osaka (evening section) “OSAKA 2018” ・October 30: Osaka (evening section) “OSAKA 2018” ・October 31: Tokyo (evening section) [This work CD1-2 】・October 31st: Tokyo (night session) [This work CD3-4] …and it looks like this. Two performances will be held in Osaka and Tokyo, one in the evening and one in the evening, for a total of four performances. The Osaka 2 performances of this work are one that summarizes the whole day, which is the latter half of the visit to Japan. Now, this is the second installment. The quality is superb! As mentioned in the explanation of the first edition “OSAKA 2018”, it is a complete collection by the same recording artist and the same equipment by the masters of the masters, but in terms of sound, this work edited in Tokyo is one step better. No, the Osaka version is also an amazing sound, and the individuality is very similar because it is the same recording artist. The size of the club, the feeling of being in a closed room, and the feeling of close contact with no sense of distance are the same. However, this work has an even brighter atmosphere. It is crystal clear, and the performance sound that is played there is glaring all the way to the edges. The cymbals have a metallic luster, and the saxophone has a luster like gold polished with silk. Its transparency has increased to the point of three-dimensionality, and the silent parts are full of jet-black depth, and even the moment of silence with each stroke that is sucked into that darkness is delicate. The drums are especially overwhelming. The structure of the kit has a three-dimensional feel that you can see, and it is so delicate that you can even feel the vibe of the trembling skin. “OSAKA 2018” was also at the sound board level, but this work has an ultra-clear sound that makes you wonder, “Isn’t this a line recording?” Moreover, this remains unchanged throughout the evening and night sections. However, that doesn’t mean “OSAKA 2018” is unnecessary. There are differences in improvisation, but the key point in terms of sound is the floating feeling. GONG, the main character of this work, boasts fierce battles and sudden song developments, but at the same time, it also creates a humorous otherworldly atmosphere. Although this work is the pinnacle in terms of vivid battles and developments, “OSAKA 2018” is half a step ahead in terms of the feeling of being immersed in a different space. “If you have to choose one, I would recommend this one, but you can only get close to the true value of GONG by having both of them together.Then at the show, the ensemble is sharp, perhaps because of the sound!The set is the same as the Osaka version, and it is also the same that “The Eternal Wheel Spins” is added in the night part. It is truly the essence of “70s + modern times.” However, the performance that depicts that world is unusually high tension. The key players are the five current members. Particularly impressive is Cheb Nettle on drums. The storm-like number of moves and steps is extremely sharp. It’s hitting with frightening force, but it’s not like it’s going crazy, it’s flexible and slow and slow. Even though it seems to be powerful from start to finish, it is exquisitely divided by the feeling of breathing with other members, and the dynamism is greatly improved (the cymbal work is too amazing!). Of course, the other members are also great. Dave Sturt is a bassist who was active in JADE WARRIOR from the 90’s onwards, and his line is mostly lead instruments. He doesn’t stop at Cheb’s partner, who hits him furiously, and uses challenging phrases that include slapping. The rhythm section alone is filling, but the quality section is also beautifully separated with super clear sound. Ian East’s saxophone has dancing phrases reminiscent of Didier Malherbe, and the tone is full of sexiness. The guitar corps, consisting of Iranian-born Qavous Torabi and Brazilian-born Fabio Golfetti, also showed off their baka-technique in handling complex GONG numbers with ease, and Fabio in particular created a spacey acoustic space by rubbing the strings with a metal rod. During this visit to Japan, Steve Hillage’s accompanying became a hot topic (and he actually gave a great performance), but Hillage is by no means the only one doing a great job. In fact, it is precisely because the five members of the multinational force are impregnable that they are able to create a sound space that is typical of GONG. Anyway, you can enjoy the latest GONG with a transcendent sound. Despite the audience recording handed down by the recorder, it is a masterpiece recording that is not only a sound board but also a masterpiece even by official standards. If possible, I would like to complete the Japanese performance in conjunction with “OSAKA 2018”, but this work alone is a super masterpiece that will surprise enthusiasts all over the world. Tokyo, Japan 31st October 2018 ULTIMATE SOUND(from Original Masters) 1st show Disc 1(54:36) 1. Intro. 2. You Can’t Kill Me 3. Kapital 4. I Never Glid Before Gong 5. Hiram Afterglid Meets The Dervish (Solar Musick Suite) 6. Rejoice 7. Master Builder Disc 2(30:27) 08. You Never Blow Yr Trip / Tropical Fish / Selene (encore) 09. Insert Your Own Prophecy 2nd show Disc 3(52:09) 1. Intro. 2. You Can’t Kill Me 3. Kapital 4. I Never Glid Before Gong 5. Rejoice 6. Master Builder Disc 4(50:23) 1. The Eternal Wheel Spins 2. Hiram Afterglid Meets The Dervish ( Solar Musick Suite) 3. You Never Blow Yr Trip / Tropical Fish / Selene (encore) 4. Kavus Torabi solo 5. Insert Your Own Prophecy Kavus Torabi – Guitar, Vocal Fabio Golfetti – Guitar Dave Sturt – Bass Ian East – Saxophone, Flute Cheb Nettles – Drums Special Guest Steve Hillage – Guitar