While it might be argued that something released in the classic Good Alchemy series of Alchemy Records shouldn't be labelled obscure, I'd still say that the term suits the sole, self-titled solo release by a project called Jurajium. I recently picked up this CD, recorded and released in 1997, and it's fantastic. His only other release, from 1980, is a split LP with Hijokaidan and NG. On the CD Jurajium Hatta plays synths, keyboards, tapes and electronics, and Jojo Hiroshige plays electric guitar. He plays his usual guitar noise, of which I'm not a fan normally, but here it gels wonderfully with Hatta's synths and electronics. The music, while noise, is not too harsh, and there is always something interesting going on, including elements that are unusual in noise (such as the synth melody in the first track, or the manipulated drum machine sounds in the other two tracks). Jojo's guitar shredding is embedded in electronics in varied and exciting ways. I love the opening of the album too, which sounds like some kind of machine gone haywire. The artwork/design is of the usual high quality one expects from Alchemy's releases, courtesy of designer Masahiko Ohno. All in all, a great (but short: only 35 minutes long), varied and unusual noise album. It's a shame Hatta apparently never did anything else afterwards.
