- CD
- Recommended
Inryu-Fuen
Early Works 1980-82
Em Records - Cat No: EM1127CD
- updated:2014-08-28
Formed in 1978, they released their first new album in 29 years in 2014 *Dakugaku* [EM1125CD], the Yokohama-based improvisational trio Inryō Fuen is considered an extreme left-wing, heretical presence even within Japan’s underground music scene—and this collection thoroughly reveals the reasons behind that reputation.
Taking as their starting point the concept of “the transformation of Surrealism’s ‘automatic writing’ into sound,” they were active in the Tokyo/Yokohama underground music scene and energetically recorded and released works from 1980 to 1982. This “Early Works Collection” is the definitive edition, featuring high-quality remastering of nearly all of those works, transferred directly from the master tapes, with expanded versions including previously unreleased sections that had been edited out. Additionally, for this release, “song titles” have been assigned for the first time to the five works other than “Without Compromise” (see the work commentary for the reason).
Taking as their starting point the concept of “the transformation of Surrealism’s ‘automatic writing’ into sound,
The opening track, “No Compromise,” is a bizarre masterpiece that put Inryo Fuan on the map; it was also the first release from the prestigious ’80s indie label, Kurageil Records, known only to those in the know. According to the band, it was “a cover of Tony Conrad & Faust,” but during the performance, a student activist stormed the stage and began a rousing speech. The band continued playing in silence, the activist egged them on half-jokingly, and the sound engineer playfully applied electronic modulation (!) to the mic in an attempt to cut off the speech—just what was the outcome of this three-way showdown?!?! This edition is the complete version, capturing every moment of this “legendary” event.
“Hammer Clock” and “Aiming Cat” (included only on the CD version), which unleash frenzied electronic percussion pulses, are tracks from the 7-inch EP that’s been forcibly nicknamed “Shinajina” based on the symbol of three connected squares on the cover.
The 23-minute epic “Grand Rock,” showcasing the band’s signature stream-of-consciousness style, and the masterpiece “That Which Descended from the Sky,” where heavy, massive percussion shakes and tears through the space—both are eerie and unsettling “Record of the Forest” (CD edition only)—a track from their first album—features a completely white jacket with no band name, song titles, or catalog number listed, and was declared “not for distribution” by the distribution company.
CD Edition:
+ CD with 2 bonus tracks
+ Standard jewel case / liner notes included
+ Commentary by Jun Harada (Inryo Fuen)
+ Text in both Japanese and English / Features rare photographs