Stubbs - The Idyll Party + The Prime Moving Lumps (1984/85, Tapes, Japan)

STUBBS was an obscure and very interesting Japanese group consisting of Kamon Ryo, Konno Kazuhiko, Kasai Ken and Yamashita Kojiro. Allegedly naming themselves after a song by HATFIELD AND THE NORTH, the group was creating music in the Canterbury scene vein during the late 80's over a couple of albums of which besides the debut "The Idyll Party" and the next 'The Prime Moving Lumps'. Pure Canterbury music!

The Idyll Party (1984)

Side A

A1. First meeting

A2. Why do you go to mindless?

Side B

B1. Idyllcrity

B2. With Music Language

Line-up/Musicians

Kamon Ryo: bass

Konno Kazukiko: drums

Kasai Ken: guitar

Yamashita Kojiro: organ, pianet, synthesizer

Yorino Runchiee: voice

Lol Coxhill: wind (track 4)

The Prime Moving Lumps (1985)

Side A

A1. The Prime Ultimate 6:16

A2. Jean Frazier 6:54
A3. The Land Of Yellow Leaves 4:55
A4. Pondes Ete 3:48
Side B

B1. Under Pebble Wood 9:56
B2. Eternity is Infinity 14:09 

Line-up/Musicians

Kamon Ryo: bass

Konno Kazukiko: drums

Kasai Ken: guitar

Yamashita Kojiro: organ, pianet, synthesizer

Yorino Runchiee: voice

The turn of the new decade, the eighties, marked the end of the glory days for Canterbury scene. However, the influence that the sub-genre had on many generations to come is undeniable. Stubbs were an incredibly obscure Japanese band, which recorded only one official album, Prime Moving Lumps before completely disappearing into the underground. The band's name is a clear inspiration of a piece by Hatfield and the North, "The Stubbs Effect". There is proof that the band members sent their album to the legendary keyboard virtuoso, Dave Stewart (who played in Hatfield and the North), who explained the history of the name "Stubbs". It was allegedly the last name of his schoolmate, who could not sing and when the tune got higher, his voice would get louder. Stewart called it "The Stubbs Effect".

The music of Prime Moving Lumps would not be out of place on a Canterbury scene album released circa 1975 or so. The inspiration of Hatfield and the North, National Health, and even Gilgamesh is evident. Stubb's material is entirely instrumental and their pieces rely strongly on showcasing the band members' musical skills. The recording quality is really a big downside of the album, which often makes it really unpleasant. In addition to gloomy and "blurry" sound, some very odd effects appear, sounding a bit like the introduction to a Soviet TV show in the early 80's. The album cover seems to share affinity with Caravan's In the Land Of Grey and Pink.

Yamashita Kojiro, the Stubbs' mastermind, is definitely a very good keyboardist with a strong influence of the previously mentioned Dave Stewart as well as Mike Ratledge. He often uses the fuzz organ sound that Ratledge pioneered as well as synthesizers and an electric piano. Kasai Ken's guitar tone and playing influences can be traced to those of Phil Miller of Hatfield and the North and National Health and Phil Lee of Gilgamesh with their fuzz guitar timbre that seems to sustain for days. The rhythm section of Kamon Ryo on bass and Konno Kazuhiko does not seem to stand out in any way, but makes time signatures seem very smooth and natural. All things considered, all of the basic Canterbury ingredients are there.

The album consists of six tracks. Side A consists of shorter ones, while Side B includes two longer pieces, both above eight minutes. The tunes do not have a lot of variety and diversity between one another. They often follow a simple structure of presenting the main theme and falling into improvisational madness.

All in all, Prime Moving Lumps is a very decent effort. It is very hard to be the first reviewer of any work by the band. We can only wonder what Stubbs would have been able to do if they had found themselves in a more favorable environment. Although it does not emerge in any way whatsoever, it should be an enjoyable listen for fans of the jazzy side of Canterbury scene. progarchive