This is an excellent record from the early years of the current 2.0 version of the band with Jyonson Tsu on vocals. It’s mostly new improvisations and studio productions, aside from an acoustic La Novia (ft old vocals and probably other old samples) which closes the LP and sits in the middle of the CD/Digital version. I generally play the LP and I don’t miss the omitted first and last tracks, but they aren’t bad. Just a little more of the same, which none of the best parts of the record. 

The highlight of Either The Fragmented Body Or The Reconstituted Soul is the heavily electronic two part “Crystallized Encephalon.” I notice the drummer Nani has songwriting credits alongside Kawabata on those and it’s definitely audible. His performance as always is energizing and colorful. The busy, abstract drones and electronics on this track make for the most memorable and challenging portion of the album. I prefer the vinyl track listing which places the two parts of “Crystallized Encephalon“ in the middle of the album as the end of side a and beginning of side b. I think it’s well framed by the more conventionally psychedelic/kraut rock opening and closing tracks.

Of course it’s all relative and even a catchy guitar riff and beautiful vocals might not be enough to get every listener through the lengthy and intensely psychedelic first track (referring to the LP versions ‘Magic bohemian & mystic nuns.”) But if this obscure gem from Perus excellent Necio records has crossed your path at all, it’s probably the trip you’re looking for.