Fishmans - 空中キャンプ (Kuchu Camp) (Album Review)

 

Fishmans - 空中キャンプ (Kuchu Camp)

(1996)

My copy: 2007 Fishmans Rock Festival box set press by Universal Music and Polydor.

Translating to “Something In The Air,” 空中キャンプ (Kuchu Camp) was the Fishman’s first record with Polydor Japan. Though collaborators made appearances, the band had been solidified as a three piece, and began experimenting further into dreamy neo-psychedelia while retaining dub and reggae backbones. 空中キャンプ (Kuchu Camp) is lauded in their home country for its tranquil atmosphere, and while they were still toying about with new ideas, it is an impressive step into a new direction that would later lead to their best work. 

The gentle dub fusion of “ずっと前” saunters about like a cool breeze on a warm spring day, introducing quaint guitar pokes and an assortment of smooth synthesized tones. “BABY BLUE” dives headlong into reggae through plump bass melodies and syncopating keys. Sampled woodwinds add a sense of sophistication, though the relaxed vocals of Shinji Sato reassure listeners that all are welcome to the world of Fishmans. The structures are simple, though longer than typical reggae standards; this is due largely to their rather humble writing philosophy in which instruments appear for brief windows, falling away behind the rhythm section after shyly displaying a melody or two. 

While Fishmans are by no means an aggressive band per say, “SLOW DAYS” does include their sharpest guitar strut yet, with Sato dialing up his expressive performances through borderline seductive vocalizing - the track eventually opens up to psychedelic euphoria. “SUNNY BLUE” is the only moment that sounds outdated in hindsight, blending raunchy 90s drum loops and electronics with 70s disco guitar soloing. “ナイトクルージ”ング,” however is a dreamy and hypnotic groove that strengthens its spell with soothing harmonics and sweet guitar/piano compositions. 

“幸せ者” falls back into standard pop/dub, only introducing trippy sound experiments halfway through, coating most instruments in a healthy mesh of reverb. Crossing in samples from an American documentary, “すばらしくて Nice Choice” is slightly darker with a tighter focus on dynamics, even in Sato’s heavenly vocalizing, given that the rhythm section fully takes the reigns. While “新しい人” is softer and more stripped down, it relies on a series of samples (both environmental and melodic) to convey its atmosphere, eventually motivating the band to produce their career opus “Long Season.”

空中キャンプ (Kuchu Camp) is a simple yet elegant release, one that basks in lush arrangements patiently as the rhythm section falls mostly to repetition. While it may not be as sonically enriching as later prospects, their Polydor debut is still highly regarded for taking the Fishmans into a new world of effects. Even if Fishmans occasionally falter with dull moments, the genuine warmth and loving quality of their songwriting is usually enough to keep newcomers grinning.