Killing Time (originally 'Himatsubushi') is a seminal Japanese avant-garde unit formed in 1982 by members of the band Chakra. The group serves as a 'supergroup' of elite session musicians, including Bun Itakura, Kazuto Shimizu, and Jun Aoyama.
Their sound is a sophisticated hybrid of avant-garde jazz, progressive rock, and art-pop, characterized by the '80s Japanese production aesthetic of extreme clarity and lush synthesis. Unlike the aggressive New York hardcore band of the same name, this Killing Time focuses on fluid, free-form interplay and meticulous arrangements. Their discography, notably albums like 'BOB' and 'IRENE', is highly regarded by collectors of Japanese ambient and experimental music. They occupy a unique space in the Japanese music scene, bridging the gap between commercial session work and the radical underground. Their influence can be seen in the later 'J-Jazz' revival and the global interest in 'City Pop-adjacent' experimentalism. Critical consensus highlights their ability to maintain a 'pop' sensibility while engaging in complex rhythmic and harmonic experimentation.
Shares avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion, progressive rock, saxophone (signature)
Shares avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion, progressive rock, playful (subgenre)
Shares avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion, playful, saxophone (signature)
Shares avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion, progressive rock, saxophone (subgenre)
Shares avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion, playful, library (subgenre)
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