VALENSIA – Valensia II K.O.S.M.O.S [Japan HR-HM 1000 reissue series] (2018)

Universal Music Japan has started this year a curious but more than welcomed campaign: the reissue of long time out of print albums from their catalog titled ‘HR/HM 1000‘, that meaning Hard Rock / Heavy Metal at the price of 1000 Yen = about 9,5 USD.
Into these series, appear the 2 more celebrated (out of print) albums by talent Dutch artist Valensia Clarkson.
Valensia’s second album “Valensia II” (also known as “K.O.S.M.O.S” in Japan) was the first Dutch surround sound CD ever made.

The album was, again, a success in Japan, but his Dutch record company didn’t want to promote it. Due to this fact, it received less attention than it perhaps deserved in the Netherlands and Europe.
K.O.S.M.O.S (Valensia often refers to it as “Costmost”) was the most expensive album in the history of the Netherlands.

Valensia said that people often forget that his first 2 albums were produced by “the best Dutch producers” (as Valensia himself said): John Sonneveld and Pim Koopman (Kayak’s drummer).

The majestic musicality and histrionics are even augmented on this second Valensia effort, an album clinically produced with attention to the minimum detail.
As happens with these ‘HR/HM 1000’ series, “Valensia II K.O.S.M.O.S” is not remastered, but this Japanese 2018 reissue sounds fantastic, more punchy and with better DR, thanks the new digital transfer technique – which augment the signal / Dynamic Range – so having this for less than ten bucks is a great deal.
Highly Recommended

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

Universal Music Japan ～ 【UICY-78637】
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01 – The Barely Acceptable Truth Of Knowing (Intro)
02 – The Barely Acceptable Truth Of Knowing II
03 – Thunderbolt
04 – Bleeding
05 – K.o.s.m.o.s
06 – The Polka
07 – Chique, Mystique & Excentrique
08 – Never Eyes
09 – Cassiopeian Sky Surveillance
10 – The Cassiopeian
11 – The Masquerade
12 – Blasphemian Charlatan
13 – Blue Rain

Valensia Clarkson – All Instruments, Vocals, Harmonies
Hans Eykmaar – Drums
Marcel Schimscheimer – Bass
Pim Koopman – Carillion, Grand Piano, Producer
Eddie Conrad – Percussion
Jel Jongen – Horns

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-78637
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