The excellent Love,Peace and Poetry series (put out by Shadoks or World In Sound, I think) fom the earlier noughties had a Japanese volume,I think it was vol.4.

Hi Stuart

The Japanese psychedelic scene is full of hidden treasures, however doubly frustrating for us who do not speak Japanese as it is hard work finding much information about it, let alone getting the music itself. What there has been has been focussed on groups such as the Flower Travelling Band, The Jacks, Apryl Fool and the Mops. But there is a lot extra to add. Many of us would not have been aware that groups like the Mops and the Spiders actually released more progressive second LPs -both a far cry from their garage-psych first LPs simply because those LPs have never been re released outside Japan.

I did have a Japanese kick about 5 years ago, and uncovered some great music and I will hunt round and refresh myself on some of my favourite artists, and do a bit of a spiel on each of them. Hopefully these will follow over the next few days as time allows. I have to correct Wallace (and how I hate doing that), there is some brit-styled pop psych from Japan, but its pretty scattered, and most people like us struggle to find it. Oh for a Japanese contributor to this forum.

Hello Daniel,
Look forward to reading your posts about Japanese psych,i have come across some good albums,but i really would like to know more,what to give a miss and what are recommended,i must say i dont mind the lyrics not being english,though there are songs in english on some cds i have.Its funny you mentioning that some bands second more prog infected follow ups are worth checking,i have not bought any Mops cds up to now,the debut album is full of covers which has put me off buying.Or am i wrong in doing this,are the covers changed beyond recognition which makes this album worthy hearing?Anyway im prattling on,look forward to some of your recommendations Daniel

Hi Stuart

The Mops second LP is much more american influenced. They do plenty of originals, but I do not care for it overmuch. It is not psychedelic, it's more reflecting post psychedelic rock, and there is little in the way of song craft. Some people might prefer it, but that was a direction away from my taste in music.

Anyway I have posted my first couple of favorites. I will do more tomorrow.