Yuka & Chronoship - The 3rd Planetary Chronicles

Yuka & Chronoship The 3rd Planetary Chronicles cover
Yuka & Chronoship
The 3rd Planetary Chronicles
Omp Company/Cherry Red Records
2015
8.5
Yuka & Chronoship took shape in 2009 by the talented female keyboardist, vocalist and composer Yuka Funakoshi. Yuka has also got Takashi Miyazawa on guitar, Shun Taguchi on bass and Ikko Tanaka on drums by her side. Since 2009, the band has released 3 full-length albums… “Water Reincarnation” in 2011, “Dino Rocket Oxygen” in 2013 and the newest “The 3rd Planetary Chronicles” this year.
 
Yuka & Chronoship play a 70s-based progressive rock music, which is mostly instrumental and it’s hard to put it under tags/labels. Were I to give a description of their music I’d say symphonic prog, neo-prog along with cinematic, classical, jazz-rock and atmospheric elements but that’s not the point here. The point is how rousing, well-crafted and complete the final outcome is… and it is indeed! The magnificent synth/piano textures/themes are wonderfully blended with the acoustic and electric guitars, the vocals (hardly any), the tight rhythm section and the ethereal voices which create beautiful soundscapes. The musicianship is as strong as it gets too. The production is kinda contemporary and full. Honestly, if it weren’t for the production, I would think that this album was released in the late 70s or early 80s.
 
Personally, I love instrumental music of any kind. Let alone instrumental prog rock music. “The 3rd Planetary Chronicles” is that kind of album which should be experienced on the whole. The listener’s attention should not be distracted at any point… that’s how the listener can focus on the marvelous melodies and the detailed orchestrations. Yuka and her guys have paid attention to every detail and they present a fully artistic, enthralling & stimulating album. “The 3rd Planetary Chronicles” will enthuse those progsters who fancy 70s & 80s prog rock music at large…