KALO - "Spiral Dream" 　Love at first listening ! this is the way I truly ought to refer myself toward this thundering surprise coming straight from Japan, that hit me last week, and really freaked me out. The band name is Kalo, and the album, which is its debut calls ‘’Spiral Dream’’. This project was previously accomplished some 20 years ago by the skilful multi-instrumentalist Masahiro Uemura, born in Osaka, and who began playing the guitars at sixteen ; Also, by the female vocalist Miori Naritomi, among other musicians not mentioned namely. Meanwhile Uemura was actively involved with other two successful bands as IO and Fairy, whose both bands, released an only album each‘’Glass Castle’’ and ‘’Hisperia’’. In 2001 Uemura and Miori Naritomi made up their mind about bringing their sleeping project back to life, and began buckling themselves to it again by re-recording the tracks and also working upon the artwork. Fortunately all this effort resulted in the release of a top-flight album, which sure as shooting I dare to say this album is one of the best releases out in 2004, and I’m sure that I’m not talking through my hat, seen that it has been issued by two renowned record labels, the InterMusic and also Musea; So that really clinches matter. ‘’Spiral Dream’’ consists of twelve wonderful songs, which only three of them are beautifully performed by Miori Naritomi, who is owner of a crystal clear voice, keeping in fact the very same tradition of the several japanese progressive rock bands that brightly use to opt for having a female singer as their leading vocals, and as usual, the vocals are originally enacted in their native language, which sounds fine indeed. The other remaining songs on the album are purely instrumental, featuring a lot of standout symphonic themes, really able to afford unmeasured delight and emotion to every kind of listener that truly appreciates a good quality music, such as that listener, who is more into the piercing compositions that use to go straight to the heart, by giving vent to the most beautiful feelings often held up inside himself. Since I got this album, it has been on for three times over, and this doesn’t only happen because I’m writing a review about it, the album is captivating in fact and also dynamic, making me realize I may go to the most fascinating spots in the world with no restriction at all. The opening song on the album is simply an epic, whose title is‘’Dharani’’ that soon features Uemura’s virtuosity in a clear way; obviously giving the listener a hint of what’s just about to come henceforth. 　Summing it up, the album is musically magnificent on all aspects, not letting at all any true fan of Progressive Rock music indifferent to it, and I’m sure on the long run that everybody is going to come to the same conclusion as I did, seen that the album is performed brillantly by a grade A quartet. The line-up of Kalo consists of the following musicians: Masahiro Uemura - Guitars, Keyboards & Programming, Yan - Bass, Koro Uemura - Drums & percussion and Miori Naritomi - Vocals. 　‘’Spiral Dream’’ is highly recommendable! 　06/06/2004 (Comments By Sergio Motta)