Vermilion Sands – Water Blue (1987, CD, Japan)

Very good Japanese band, propably from Tokyo, found in 1986 by female singer/flutist Yoko Royama and keyboardist Masahiro Yamada, featuring an original supporting crew of Masumi Sakaue on guitar, Kenji Ota on bass, Takafumi Yamazaki on drums and Hiroyuki Tanabe on flute/keyboards. They became instantly a favorite of the Silver Elephant live stage, before Ota, Tanabe and Yamazaki leave the band in 1987, replaced by Ryoji Ogasawara on bass and Hisashi Matoba on drums. The same year the debut of Vermilion Sands ''Water blue'' is released both in vinyl and CD on Made In Japan Records.

Vermilion Sands along with AUGUST were propably the only Japanese bands to make an attempt to recaptrure the smooth, female-fronted Symphonic Rock taste of the 70's with RENAISSANCE being the absolute reference point for a singer like Royama, who's voice recalled the chords of Annie Haslam, when singing in English.There is also some CAMEL and GENESIS influences in the sound of electric guitars and keyboards respectively, but the album follows basically the dreamy, RENAISSANCE-style of Orchestral/Melodic Prog Rock with hypnotic electric guitars, acoustic rhythms and symphonic keyboards in evidence. The tracks are long and well-crafted, full of ethereal melodies and atmospheric, super-clean female vocals, switching from synth passages to piano textures and maintaining a harmonic style of vocal arrangements throughout. Fairytale moods with mellow, symphonic orchestrations and beautiful soundscapes guarantee a fantastic reincarnation of the classic RENAISSANCE sound, even if the music is mostly relaxing, without signs of powerful themes.

The Musea CD reissue comes with four bonus tracks, two of them being captured in live performances, while ''The love in the cage'' was included in the 93' Musea compilation ''7 days of a life'' and ''In the night of ancient tombs'' being a leftover from the ''Water blue'' recordings. Both are great examples of Japanese Neo/Symphonic Prog, maybe with a bit more grandiose style and more pronounced keyboard moves, making this reissue definitely recommended.

So close to the style of RENAISSANCE and even more surprisingly created by a Japanese band. Succesful attempt on this particular style, characterized by fine arrangements and harmonic vocals. Strongly recommended. (apps79)