Description
After the release of the Challenge album in 1969 by the proto Flower Travellin' Band, Yuya Uchida brought in Kuni Kawachi, organist and leader of The Happenings Four. They spent the early part of 1970 putting together a series of recordings which were very melodic, but psychedelic and strung-out. This project surfaced as Kirikyogen by Kuni Kawachi & Friends, after the demise of The Flower Travellin' Band. Julian Cope rates Kirikyogen at number 25 in his top 50 Jap rock albums of all time: 'An entire album of classic songs, featuring the aforementioned Flower Gods in pole positions throughout. (Akira 'Joe' Yamanaka on lead vocal and Hideki Ishima on guitar). Moreover an early version of Flower's non-LP single 'Map' lurks within, hiding behind the title 'Music Composed Mainly By Humans.' While dry, spaced-out and highly original hard rocking ballads occupy side one, side two is possessed of a hitherto unseen acoustic side of Hideki Ishima's playing in the highly catchy 'Graveyard Of Love,' 'Classroom For Women' and the late Velvets-styled 'Scientific Investigation.' And while Joe's tonsils never get the same rigorous overhauling that his Flower cohorts demand, even his most gentle contributions herein showcase 'that' voice to perfection.'"
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