Jade Warrior

Get Jade Warrior merchandise here: www.cafepress.com/jadewarrior
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NEWS = NEWS = NEWS = NEWS
The new Jade Warrior website is now up and running here - www.jadewarrior.com
There is loads of info, tracks off the new album, podcasts and a store - check it out.
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Recent news: The band are currently working on a new album with a line up that includes the return of vocalist Glyn Havard. The music incorporates elements of the Vertigo, Island and Red Hot/Voiceprint eras and is sounding fresh and inspiring. We will put up preview tracks on this site from time to time.
The four Island era albums are being re-mastered and re-released on Eclectic http://www.eclecticdiscs.com/
Some of the Vertigo era albums have recently been re-released on Repertoire http://www.repertoire.de/cgibin/catalogframeset.php
Jade Warrior
Floating World (ECLCD 1045) * * * Kites (ECLCD 1043) * * * * Waves (ECLCD 1046) * * * * Way of the Sun (ECLCD 1044) * * *
Their ethereal period.
These four reissues are taken from the bands mid 70’s period, where they eschewed vocal fronted prog/art – related rock and followed a more instrumental/ambient route. In pursuit of this new direction they changed labels, from Vertigo to Island. They were still the samurai, sword – wielding culture vultures of yore, however, which explains the oriental cover art.
Their first Island release Floating World, consists of dreamy electric guitars (such as on the excellent Fruit and Flowers), flutes, harps and oriental percussion. But the band still rock on the contrasting Red Lotus.
There are some beautiful and intense ambient structures on Kites, which features Henry Cow’s Fred Frith. The album is well paced with progressive time signatures that ebb and flow nicely. In Waves they turn to the concept album with the help of Steve Winwood. The title track is the only track, split into two parts for two side vinyl, with an Eno-like soundscapes feel.
Way of the Sun was released during the height of punk, but rightfully ignores the fashions and ploughs its own field. Very much in the ‘soundtrack for an imaginary film’ vein, the album completes Jade Warrior’s Island ‘cycle’. It’s an experiment that’s well worth investigating.
Paul Rigby, Record Collector, Nov 06.