LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Ex-Foodbrain guitarist Shinki Chen, bass player Masayayoshi Kabe (also know as M Glue) and Phillipino Vietnam war veteran Joey Pepe Smith, who doubled as both the trios drummer and vocalist, released two legendary albums in the early 70s. Eve, the earlier of the bands two efforts, was probably the bands only "real" recording as the self-titled 2nd release in 1972 was put together by Smith from studio outtakes of Chens guitar playing and tracks omitted from 'Eve'. 'Eve' is a bluesy, psychedelic album, with Chen's Hendrix-style guitar playing firmly underpinned by Smiths insistent percussion style modelled on the playing of his idol, Ginger Baker. The band dissolved immediately after the release of 'Eve' as the other two members found Smiths drug-fuelled lifestyle (he was a huge fan of amphetamines and diligently applied himself to establishing a prodigeous habit) decidedly unappealing. Chen decided he didnt want to record again, and became a successful live artist, Joey went back to the Philippines and started the power trio Juan de la Cruz Band, and Masayoshi Kabe would win fame with the band Pink Cloud. In spite of their short-lived activity, Speed, Glue and Shinki were important, first and foremost as pioneers of the Japanese psychedelic rock scene."