Trio96 culls some of the best elements from midperiod and more recent King Crimson and delivers them in a retouched improvisational blitz. Guitarist Ishikawa Kenji and drummer Tanaka Yasuhiro also handle the Roland "V" counterparts of their instruments, as with a ProjeKct or two. No gratuitous note-flurries or aimless diatonic noodling here; there's a decidedly calculated ring to the randomness. No bass-tracking, either — just guitar and drums. For such minimal representation, Kenji & Yasuhiro generate quite the pristinely-recorded racket. Words aren't going to work here as well as a set of ears, and while the proceedings are not as dense or complex as anything by Ruins or Bi Kyo Ran, it's reasonable to assume fans of both bands will enjoy this. The novelty does wear off a bit by the end of Duo'03; for the next outing, let's hope Trio96 gets that third member back. Improvisation is wonderful, but won't always supplant composition. Highlights: "Curriculum," "Improvisation (Braford)," "Improvisation (Distance, Perspective)."
Tracklist:
1. Left-Handed Rotation
2. Kerenmi Afureru Pray
3. Curriculum
4. Improvisation (Braford)
5. Hommage à A&G
6. Improvisation (Distance, Perspective)
Total time – 42:32