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Acid Mothers Guru Guru - 'Psychedelic Navigator' (Important

Mike Reed | USA | 01/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As most of you know, Guru Guru drummer / founder Mani Neumeier was in the states this last fall for a handful of tour dates with two members of Acid Mothers Temple, guitarist Kawabata Makoto and bassist Atsushi Tsuyama. This 'Psychedelic Navigator' CD release is a live show the three had played in Nagoya, Japan the previous year when this callaboration apparently first took place. I was utterly amazed at how great this disc is. Starts off with "Stonerrock Socks" that reminds me of a hard-to-find five-track Jimi Hendrix 'Early Instrumentals' EP, as "Bayangobi" (brings to mind a couple of similar Guru Guru classics - "LSD Marsch" or "Electric Junk") and "For Bunka-San" is where Mani steps out in from of his drum set to place a dozen pots, pans and cymbals to randomly hit on each piece of metal to create some over-the-top experimental sounds. Then there's the twenty-minute title cut "Psychedelic Navigator" with an almost Avant Garde vibe to it and the finale is the 1971 Guru Guru concert staple, the foot-stomping "Bo Diddley" which is a bit diiferent than their traditional version. Essentially, this is a Guru Guru show. Never thought a drummer could actually 'make' a band what it is. Highly recommended."

ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & GURU GURU...PERFECT TOGETHER

Walter Hillman | HAMILTON, NJ | 02/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The teaming of Mani Neumeier, Kawabata Makoto & Atsushi Tsuyama was definitely one of the best tours last year. I saw them in Philly at Johnny Brenda's, I had the pleasure to meet all three musicians and picked up this CD (among many others) from them at the show, plus I had them sign the awesome picture inside the gatefold sleeve. Mani is still the best, when he played "For Bunka-San" (his "pots & pans" drum piece) I was front and center keeping his "drums" on the stage as they continually flew off. That was phenomenal!!!!! During "Psychedelic Navigator" Kawabata (Speed Guru) would be still one second and the next be all over the place like he was having a seizure with his long hair flying all over the place than back to calm before lift off again. Atsushi is the best (Monster) bass player there is, just listen to this CD and judge for yourself, plus he really knows how to work the audience (Cosmic Joker). You can check out a few clips of the show on Youtube (you'll see me front and center at the Philly gig).



If you are reading this you must either be an Acid Mothers Temple fan, a Guru Guru fan and now you will be an Acid Mothers Guru Guru fan. If you are thinking about adding this CD to your listening library you will not regret it. Being a huge Guru Guru fan for the past 3 decades and an Acid Mothers Temple freak since first hearing their debut "Acid Mothers Temple and The Melting Paraiso U.F.O." I was a little skeptical when I first heard of this union, because alot of times when musicians of this caliber do these collaborations the music tends to go nowhere. This CD goes everywhere, and I do mean everywhere. I can't agree with the other review by (Mike Reed) where he says "essentially this is a Guru Guru show", you can definitely hear and feel Kawabata and Atsushi just as much as Mani. Do yourself a favor after digesting this CD. Go buy the following DVD: Acid Mothers Temple Festival Vol. 5! Recorded live at Tokuzo in Nagoya, Japan on December 9, 2006. The DVD features Mani, Kawabata, Atsushi, Higashi Hiroshi (Dancin' King), Kuriyama Jun, Kitagawa Hao & Tabata Mitsuru. You will see an excellent performance and how well they all work together on some killer AMT tracks. Some excellent Mani footage (including his "plate" solo) also you will see and hear how much Kawabata and Atsushi add to the show. But hurry the DVD is limited to 1000 copies only. Decent progrock sites should have it or eBay.

I'll see you at the next Acid Mothers Temple gig : )



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