MANDRAKE was a short-lived progressive music project from the composer Susumu Hirasawa, well-known as an innovator in Japan but largely unheralded in the western world. The band was formed in the mid-seventies, and was one of the early pioneers of native original symphonic rock music in Japan. The band's sound was heavily influenced by ELP, particularly in the elaborate, drawn-out keyboard constructions. The band's sound has also been compared to early KING CRIMSON and OUTER LIMITS. The band has little recorded history outside of Japan, and their two lone recordings were not released until the early nineties, well after the band's demise. These releases seem to be largely in response to the popularity of Hirasawa's work since MANDRAKE and in a renewed interest in early Japanese progressive recordings.
After MANDRAKE's demise in 1978 Susumu Hirasawa formed a new band under the name P-MODEL which plays primarily electronic techno music. Hirasawa has also recorded with WIZARD HOWL, SYUN, GLOBAL TROTTERS, as well as recording a number of solo albums and soundtracks. He is also known for his innovative and interactive live performances, which have included using cell phone ringtones, Amiga computer devices, and alternate themes based on audience participation.
MANDRAKE deserve consideration for inclusion in the archives for their short-lived but historically important contribution to the early symphonic and progressive movement in Japan.
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