Cosmos Factory

Label: Express
Country: Japan
Released: 1977
Format: Vinyl,LP,Album

Exploring "Metal Reflection" by Cosmos Factory

"Metal Reflection" (嵐の乱反射), released in July 1977, is the fourth and final studio album by Japan's Cosmos Factory. This album marks a distinct shift in their musical direction, moving away from the gothic Mellotron space-rock of their earlier work. Instead, it embraces a punchy, riff-driven sound typical of 1970s progressive hard rock and glam rock, infused with high-energy funk-rock elements.

Production and Recording

The album was recorded at Toshiba-EMI Studios in Tokyo during the spring of 1977. The production was a collaborative effort led by Naoki Tachikawa and Nobu Yoshinari, under the supervision of Kei Ishizaka and Kazu Nitta. This environment allowed the band to experiment with a range of instruments, emphasizing the rich textures of Tsutomu Izumi's keyboards, which include the Hammond organ, Minimoog, and Fender Rhodes. The album features a dual-drummer setup that contributes to its dynamic sound.

Musical Composition

"Metal Reflection" consists of nine tracks, each showcasing the band's versatility. The opener, "Down The Highway," sets an energetic tone for the album. The song "Shades Of Time" explores melodic depth, while "Violent Heat" delivers a fiery performance. The funk-infused "Sexy Cats" stands out for its rhythmic groove. Additionally, tracks like "White Moon" provide a more atmospheric touch, contrasting with the hard-driving energy of others.

The album's sound draws comparisons to prominent rock acts of the era, including Deep Purple and Queen, highlighting the band's ability to craft engaging rock music with complex arrangements. Tsutomu Izumi's lead vocals and guitar contributions, along with the harmonies provided by Hisashi Mizutani and Toshikazu Taki, create a rich vocal landscape throughout the album.

Release Information

Released under the Express and Toshiba-EMI labels, "Metal Reflection" came in both vinyl and LP formats, cataloged as ETP-72258. The album represents a culmination of Cosmos Factory's evolving sound and their exploration of diverse rock genres. It reflects the band's unique position in the Japanese rock scene of the late 1970s. The recording took place in Tokyo, Japan.

Tracklist

A1	Down The Highway = ダウン・ザ・ハイウェイ Written-By – Taki*
A2	Shades Of Time = シェイズ・オブ・タイム Written-By – Izumi*
A3	Violent Heat = バイオレント・ヒート Flute – Yoichiro KikuchiWritten-By – Taki*
A4	Rainy Day Dreams = レイニー・デイ・ドリーム Written-By – Izumi*
B1	A Glass Of Happiness = グラス・オブ・ハッピネス Written-By – Taki*
B2	Sexy Cats = セクシー・キャット Alto Saxophone – Yoichiro KikuchiWritten-By – Izumi*
B3	Strato-Dynamite = ストラト・ダイナマイト Written-By – Cosmos Factory
B4	White Moon = ホワイト・ムーン Written-By – Izumi*
B5	Metal Reflection = メタル・リフレクション Written-By – Taki*

Credits

Coordinator – Kazu Nitta
Design [Back Cover] – Kuni Shuto
Drums, Percussion – Kazu Okamoto*
Drums, Percussion – Kuni Toyoda
Engineer [Recording, Mixing] – Ken Kosuge*
Engineer [Recording, Mixing] – Masakazu Kawamura
Executive-Producer – "Big" Tats Nagashima
Liner Notes – 吉成伸幸*
Producer – Naoki Tachikawa
Producer – Nobu Yoshinari*
Supervised By [Production Supervision] – Kei Ishizaka*
Vocals, Bass, Guitar [Guitars] – Toshikazu Taki
Vocals, Electric Guitar [Electric Guitars], Acoustic Guitar [Acoustic Guitars] – Hisashi Mizutani
Vocals, Organ [Hammond], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Keyboards [Solina], Clavinet, Keyboards [Yamaha CP-30, Mini Moog], Piano [Steinway], Harpsichord [Cembalo], Guitar [Guitars] – Tsutomu Izumi