Central do Prog: Providence – There Once Was A Night Of "Choko-Muro" The Paradise (1996, CD, Japan)

March 21, 2026

Providence – There Once Was A Night Of "Choko-Muro" The Paradise (1996, CD, Japan)

Tracklist:
1. HCHO 40 8:31
2. An Epilogue For Cajolement 7:53
3. There Once Was A Night Of "Choko-Muro" The Paradise 19:11
4. Erlio 2:02
5. A Breeze In The Dawn 10:53
6. "Choko-Muro" The Paradise 1:55
7. In The Moonlight 2:35

Musicians:
Bass – 中陳文敬 (Nakajin Fumitaka)
Drums – 杉山雄一 (Sugiyama Yuichi)
Guitar – 木ノ内亜土夫 (Kinouchi Ajio)
Keyboards – 塚田円 (Tsukada Madoka)
Saxophone – 斉藤孝男 (Saito Takao)
Vocals – 菅原貴子 (Sugawara Takako)

Hailing from Hokkaido, Japan, Providence is one of the most remarkable Symphonic Prog bands of the 90s. Led by the brilliant keyboardist Madoka (Tsukada) and the evocative vocals of Eriko (Kumazawa), this album is a cinematic journey into a high-fantasy world.

The music is characterized by complex, "Baroque" arrangements and lush synth layers, drawing comparisons to Renaissance and Early Genesis but with a distinct Japanese neoclassical flair. Originally released on the Made in Japan label (and later reissued by Musea), "Choko-Muro" is a rare masterpiece of technical precision and fairytale atmosphere, highly prized by fans of intricate, keyboard-driven progressive rock.