melatomania
| Format | CD |
| Country | Japan |
| Recorded | 2000/2001 |
| Issued | 2002 |
| Label | Mellow Records |
| Cat no. | MMP418 |
| Playing time | 51:54 |
| Reviewer | Trond Sætre |
| GROUP THERAPY melatomania |
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This six piece Japanese jazz-rock ensemble launches their second album headed by the producer, arranger, composer and guitarist Hiroyuki Kitada.
Group Therapy started more than ten years ago as jazz improvisers, but has since developed into a more streamlined band. The music on "Melatomania" is a cross between rock, fusion and big band music. The last mentioned genre appears through the use of trombone and soprano sax, and they put their clear mark on the sound, especially in the beginning. You can also hear traces of Jean-Luc Ponty (in spirit represented by a distinguished violinist on the opening track) and "Tower of Power".
Group Therapy's music is more about skill than creativity. They stick to the strict rules of jazz rock that have existed in three decades, and the tracks resemble each other a lot. However, since most of them are quite long, there is ample room for variation in rhythm, atmosphere and the use of instruments, which they profit from. The amount of time assigned to each musician is very democratically shared, each instrument is exposed for all it's worth. Definitely not boring!
In a progressive context, however, "Melatomania" might well have been background music. The borderline between progressive jazz rock and strict fusion is narrow. Group Therapy balances on the right side, but only barely.
© 2002 Tarkus Magazine