1
Dip In The Pool - What About This Love
2
Dip In The Pool - What About This Love (Chaos In The CBD Remix)
Japanese legendary experimental pop duo “Dip In The Pool” comes back with a brand new song.
This time they made a cover version of their beloved larry heard’s house classic “What About This Love”.
Their original version is oriental synth pop style and UK based deep house new talent chaos in The CBD made a more electronic house version. More
This time they made a cover version of their beloved larry heard’s house classic “What About This Love”.
Their original version is oriental synth pop style and UK based deep house new talent chaos in The CBD made a more electronic house version. More
More records from Studio Mule
1
Nobuo Yagi - Mi Mi Africa
2
Nobuyuki Shimizu - Silver Spot
3
Piper - Samba Night
4
Haruko Kuwana - Akogareno Sundown
5
Aru Takamura - Koi Wa Saikou
6
Honma Express - What The Magic Is To Try
7
Colored Music - Colored Music
8
Shohjo-Tai & Red Bus St Project - Electric City
9
Hitomi Tohyama - Love Is The Competition
10
Yumi Murata - Krishna
11
Eri Ohno - Live Hard, Live Free
12
Minnie - Rocket 88
13
Shoody - Tokyo Melody
Repress!
at mule musiq, we’ve focused on shining light on the many aspects of what electronic music can be, putting out house, techno and ambient releases on our main label, while releasing alternative-leaning dance music through our endless flight imprint. but with the launch of our new label, studio mule, we are stepping away from electronic club music for a bit. the label will not be tied to a specific genre, as we will instead focus on releasing any kind of music that we feel is a little bit different and interesting, but somehow make sense in this day and age. for our first batch of releases, we will be focusing on japanese music.
to be honest, i have been watching the recent rise of global interest in japanese music with a skeptical eye, not sure of how to feel about all these labels overseas licensing great albums that were birthed in our country. but then, i was told by somebody i greatly respect that i should do something similar with mule, and put our own spin on it, which sounded like a good idea to me. after a period of procrastination, i finally got around to doing it. we are starting things off with a compilation of japanese disco, boogie and soul music that we selected from a modern dance music perspective — the kind of songs that we feel would intrigue music fans across the world.
at first, i started seeking authentic-sounding disco that sound like it could have been recorded in the states, but after struggling to get licensing rights for many of those tracks, i started to wonder if that was really the direction we should be going in. when we start new labels or projects, we often come up with the title or artwork first, before deciding on the actual music. we came up with the title midnight in tokyo first, which dictated that we needed to find music that would be a perfect soundtrack to listen to at night in tokyo. we ended up compiling a selection of tracks that you could both listen to at home, and play in clubs at certain time slots. the compilation also ended up sounding a lot more pop than we initially imagined…
during the selection process, we did not care whether the tracks have been reissued already or not, and how rare the original copies of the records were. our sole purpose was to gather a handful of songs from across labels, major or otherwise, that we felt could be listened to for many years to come — even after this whole japanese music trend dies down. although we put together this release mainly for listeners outside of japan, the compilation can also be a chance for japanese music lovers to rediscover the greatness of domestic music, as we did during the process.
the compilation starts off with the afro disco classic “mi mi africa” by harmonica player nobuo yagi, which was also included in the compilation mastercuts.
“silver top” is a jazzy fusion disco taken from composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist nobuyuki shimizu’s first album, which he released when he was 19. the track features singer epo, whom he worked with many times over the years as an arranger.
“samba night” is by vocalist keisuke yamamoto and his band piper, from their masterpiece second album summer breeze. a delightful city pop number that should appeal to tatsuro yamashita fans.
“akogareno sundown” is a japanese soul classic, sang by singer haruko kuwana (the sister of well-known musi-cian masahiro kuwana). recorded in hawaii and produced by mackey feary band, known for the soulful classic “a million stars.”
“koiwa saiko (i’m in love)” is a mellow and groovy track by singer aru takamura, the great-grandchild of sculptor kouun takamura, whose son kotaro takamura is a famed poet and sculptor. can be thought of as japan’s answer to cheryl lynn’s “got to be real.”
“what the magic is to try” is a cult electropop track by honma express, a project helmed by producer kanji honma. hailed as japan’s trevor horn, he is also known as the producer of legendary techno pop band tpo.
“colored music” is a song by colored music, a duo of pianist ichiko hashimoto and her partner atsuo fujimoto, who have gone on tour with ymo. taken from colored music’s sole album, the japanese rare groove treasure is a mesh of new wave, synth pop and jazz influences.
the dubby electronic new wave disco “electric city” is a b side of pop idol group shohjo-tai’s debut 12” single, but the girls aren’t actually singing on it, making the instrumental one of japan’s greatest ’80s dance tracks.
“love is the competition” is a breezy disco jam by okinawa-born bilingual artist hitomi tohyama. featured on her album next door, the song’s melody seems like an interpolation of the whispers’ “it’s a love thing.”
taken from mariah project’s diva yumi murata’s first album, “krishna” is a funky and soulful rockin’ disco cut.reminiscent of chaka khan’s “i know you, i live you,” “live hard, live free” is a song by jazz vocalist eri ohno who is known for her work with dj krush and singing on the soundtrack to anime rupin the third.
“rocket 88” is a melancholic disco number by singer minnie. though the track was released through sapporo’s independent label paradise records, the superb production quality suggests otherwise.
closing out the 13-track compilation is japanese disco staple “tokyo melody,” sang by half african and half swedish american singer shoody and backed by tetsuji hayashi’s disco band the eastern gang. More
at mule musiq, we’ve focused on shining light on the many aspects of what electronic music can be, putting out house, techno and ambient releases on our main label, while releasing alternative-leaning dance music through our endless flight imprint. but with the launch of our new label, studio mule, we are stepping away from electronic club music for a bit. the label will not be tied to a specific genre, as we will instead focus on releasing any kind of music that we feel is a little bit different and interesting, but somehow make sense in this day and age. for our first batch of releases, we will be focusing on japanese music.
to be honest, i have been watching the recent rise of global interest in japanese music with a skeptical eye, not sure of how to feel about all these labels overseas licensing great albums that were birthed in our country. but then, i was told by somebody i greatly respect that i should do something similar with mule, and put our own spin on it, which sounded like a good idea to me. after a period of procrastination, i finally got around to doing it. we are starting things off with a compilation of japanese disco, boogie and soul music that we selected from a modern dance music perspective — the kind of songs that we feel would intrigue music fans across the world.
at first, i started seeking authentic-sounding disco that sound like it could have been recorded in the states, but after struggling to get licensing rights for many of those tracks, i started to wonder if that was really the direction we should be going in. when we start new labels or projects, we often come up with the title or artwork first, before deciding on the actual music. we came up with the title midnight in tokyo first, which dictated that we needed to find music that would be a perfect soundtrack to listen to at night in tokyo. we ended up compiling a selection of tracks that you could both listen to at home, and play in clubs at certain time slots. the compilation also ended up sounding a lot more pop than we initially imagined…
during the selection process, we did not care whether the tracks have been reissued already or not, and how rare the original copies of the records were. our sole purpose was to gather a handful of songs from across labels, major or otherwise, that we felt could be listened to for many years to come — even after this whole japanese music trend dies down. although we put together this release mainly for listeners outside of japan, the compilation can also be a chance for japanese music lovers to rediscover the greatness of domestic music, as we did during the process.
the compilation starts off with the afro disco classic “mi mi africa” by harmonica player nobuo yagi, which was also included in the compilation mastercuts.
“silver top” is a jazzy fusion disco taken from composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist nobuyuki shimizu’s first album, which he released when he was 19. the track features singer epo, whom he worked with many times over the years as an arranger.
“samba night” is by vocalist keisuke yamamoto and his band piper, from their masterpiece second album summer breeze. a delightful city pop number that should appeal to tatsuro yamashita fans.
“akogareno sundown” is a japanese soul classic, sang by singer haruko kuwana (the sister of well-known musi-cian masahiro kuwana). recorded in hawaii and produced by mackey feary band, known for the soulful classic “a million stars.”
“koiwa saiko (i’m in love)” is a mellow and groovy track by singer aru takamura, the great-grandchild of sculptor kouun takamura, whose son kotaro takamura is a famed poet and sculptor. can be thought of as japan’s answer to cheryl lynn’s “got to be real.”
“what the magic is to try” is a cult electropop track by honma express, a project helmed by producer kanji honma. hailed as japan’s trevor horn, he is also known as the producer of legendary techno pop band tpo.
“colored music” is a song by colored music, a duo of pianist ichiko hashimoto and her partner atsuo fujimoto, who have gone on tour with ymo. taken from colored music’s sole album, the japanese rare groove treasure is a mesh of new wave, synth pop and jazz influences.
the dubby electronic new wave disco “electric city” is a b side of pop idol group shohjo-tai’s debut 12” single, but the girls aren’t actually singing on it, making the instrumental one of japan’s greatest ’80s dance tracks.
“love is the competition” is a breezy disco jam by okinawa-born bilingual artist hitomi tohyama. featured on her album next door, the song’s melody seems like an interpolation of the whispers’ “it’s a love thing.”
taken from mariah project’s diva yumi murata’s first album, “krishna” is a funky and soulful rockin’ disco cut.reminiscent of chaka khan’s “i know you, i live you,” “live hard, live free” is a song by jazz vocalist eri ohno who is known for her work with dj krush and singing on the soundtrack to anime rupin the third.
“rocket 88” is a melancholic disco number by singer minnie. though the track was released through sapporo’s independent label paradise records, the superb production quality suggests otherwise.
closing out the 13-track compilation is japanese disco staple “tokyo melody,” sang by half african and half swedish american singer shoody and backed by tetsuji hayashi’s disco band the eastern gang. More
1
Genji Sawai - Hikobae
2
Today's Latin Project - Danza Lucumi
3
Shigeru Suzuki - On The Coast
4
Air Suspension Club Band - In The Hot City
5
Yasunori Soryo & Jim Rocks - So Long America
6
Jugando - Twisty
7
Kingkong Paradise - Smarkand
8
Katsutoshi Morizono With Bird's Eye View - Imagery
9
Om - Windmill
10
Parachute - Mystery Of Asian Port
11
Yuji Toriyama - Bay/Sky Provincetown 1977
12
Keiichi Oku - Heat Wave
13
Safari - Day Dream At The Bob's Beach
Repress!
Midnight In Tokyo 2, the second installment to the compilation series that rounds up hidden gems by Japanese artists that's perfect for listening at night in Tokyo, is here. This time the collection brings together some tasty electric jazz fusion from the '80s , compiled by Dubby, the man behind the online record store Ondas.
The compilation begins with "Hikobae," a dark and slow cosmic jazz by saxophonist Genji Sawai, followed by "Danza Lucumi," an odd Caribbean-style jam by Today's Latin Project, a band fronted by Tadaaki Misago of Tokyo Cuban Boys, with arrangements by Yasuaki Shimizu. "On The Coast" is a soulful and mellow vocal track arranged by Ryuichi Sakamoto, from guitarist Shigeru Suzuki's album White Heat, and fusion boogie cut "In The Hot City" is by Mr. Theodore, which was a one-off project by a mysterious artist.
The melancholic soul jazz number "So Long America" is the title track from the album Yasunori Soryo released in '82, following a stint in America with the band Brown Rice. "Twisty" is a tropical reggae tune from the album Samba Kathy, an underrated classic by Jugando which was released on Trash, a sublabel of one of Japan's finest jazz labels, Trio. "Samarkand" is an electric Latin jazz jam that sounds like something Miles Davis and Santana could have played on, performed by a Latin funk band from Fussa. "Imagery" is a primal African fusion track by Katsutoshi Morizono, a member of the prog rock band Yoninbayashi.
"Windmill" is the most acoustic sounding tune on this compilation, a breezy Brazilian affair with a Hermeto Pascoal feel. "Mystery Of Asian Port" is by the band Parachute, which consisted of Japa-nese fusion giants like Akira Inoue, Tatsuo Hayashi and Masaki Matsubara. The cosmic jazz record sounds like something Daniele Baldelli would play in his sets. "Bay Sky Provincetown 1977" is a classic Japanese fusion tune by guitarist Yuji Toriyama.
The set also features the mellow but danceable "Heatwave" by keyboardist Keiichi Oku, featuring a female vocalist (which some have identified as Rie Ida), and last but not least, closing out the 13 track compilation is "Day Dream At The Bob's Beach," a wonderful urban fusion with a beautiful vibraphone melody, from the Japanese fusion classic album that was a one-off project by studio musicians More
Midnight In Tokyo 2, the second installment to the compilation series that rounds up hidden gems by Japanese artists that's perfect for listening at night in Tokyo, is here. This time the collection brings together some tasty electric jazz fusion from the '80s , compiled by Dubby, the man behind the online record store Ondas.
The compilation begins with "Hikobae," a dark and slow cosmic jazz by saxophonist Genji Sawai, followed by "Danza Lucumi," an odd Caribbean-style jam by Today's Latin Project, a band fronted by Tadaaki Misago of Tokyo Cuban Boys, with arrangements by Yasuaki Shimizu. "On The Coast" is a soulful and mellow vocal track arranged by Ryuichi Sakamoto, from guitarist Shigeru Suzuki's album White Heat, and fusion boogie cut "In The Hot City" is by Mr. Theodore, which was a one-off project by a mysterious artist.
The melancholic soul jazz number "So Long America" is the title track from the album Yasunori Soryo released in '82, following a stint in America with the band Brown Rice. "Twisty" is a tropical reggae tune from the album Samba Kathy, an underrated classic by Jugando which was released on Trash, a sublabel of one of Japan's finest jazz labels, Trio. "Samarkand" is an electric Latin jazz jam that sounds like something Miles Davis and Santana could have played on, performed by a Latin funk band from Fussa. "Imagery" is a primal African fusion track by Katsutoshi Morizono, a member of the prog rock band Yoninbayashi.
"Windmill" is the most acoustic sounding tune on this compilation, a breezy Brazilian affair with a Hermeto Pascoal feel. "Mystery Of Asian Port" is by the band Parachute, which consisted of Japa-nese fusion giants like Akira Inoue, Tatsuo Hayashi and Masaki Matsubara. The cosmic jazz record sounds like something Daniele Baldelli would play in his sets. "Bay Sky Provincetown 1977" is a classic Japanese fusion tune by guitarist Yuji Toriyama.
The set also features the mellow but danceable "Heatwave" by keyboardist Keiichi Oku, featuring a female vocalist (which some have identified as Rie Ida), and last but not least, closing out the 13 track compilation is "Day Dream At The Bob's Beach," a wonderful urban fusion with a beautiful vibraphone melody, from the Japanese fusion classic album that was a one-off project by studio musicians More
1
eiji nakayama - aya’s samba
2
eiji nakayama - yellow living
3
eiji nakayama - see sea town
4
eiji nakayama - far-away road
Repress!
johnny’s disk record is an independent jazz label run by the owner of jazz cafe kaiunbashi no johnny located in rikuzentakata city in iwate prefecture, japan.
the legendary label released a string of albums of high quality but down-to-earth music, spanning from modern jazz, avant-garde jazz to left-field pop. albums such as “farewell my johnny / left alone” and “aya’s samba” has reached cult status among fans as some of the best works to come out of the japanese jazz scene.
another japanese jazz classic, aya’s samba was a debut effort by bassist eiji nakayama, who played as part of elvin jones’ jazz machine and toured with don friedman.
this album is an important release in the johnny’s disk catalogue, not only because it is the first ever release, but also because the owner hearing the band play was the reason why the label came to be.
“aya’s samba” is a mellow jazz samba in minor key that’s considered a japanese jazz classic. slow ballad “yellow living” is drenched in melancholy with emotive keys and sax notes, while the dreamy “sea sea town” impresses with a captivating, expressive sax solo. the 4 tracker ends with “far-away road,” an uptempo tune with rhythmic keys. More
johnny’s disk record is an independent jazz label run by the owner of jazz cafe kaiunbashi no johnny located in rikuzentakata city in iwate prefecture, japan.
the legendary label released a string of albums of high quality but down-to-earth music, spanning from modern jazz, avant-garde jazz to left-field pop. albums such as “farewell my johnny / left alone” and “aya’s samba” has reached cult status among fans as some of the best works to come out of the japanese jazz scene.
another japanese jazz classic, aya’s samba was a debut effort by bassist eiji nakayama, who played as part of elvin jones’ jazz machine and toured with don friedman.
this album is an important release in the johnny’s disk catalogue, not only because it is the first ever release, but also because the owner hearing the band play was the reason why the label came to be.
“aya’s samba” is a mellow jazz samba in minor key that’s considered a japanese jazz classic. slow ballad “yellow living” is drenched in melancholy with emotive keys and sax notes, while the dreamy “sea sea town” impresses with a captivating, expressive sax solo. the 4 tracker ends with “far-away road,” an uptempo tune with rhythmic keys. More
1
Kaoru Inoue - Malam
2
Kaoru Inoue - Selva
3
Kaoru Inoue - Kamui
4
Kaoru Inoue - Sphere
5
Kaoru Inoue - Etenraku
6
Kaoru Inoue - She Was In Ecstasies
7
Kaoru Inoue - Escape Dub
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Kaoru Inoue - Healing Force
kaoru inoue is a japanese veteran producer and dj since late 90’s. he has been releasing from his own label “seeds and ground” and some other labels like mule musiq,groovement. the original release of this album was released in 2013 in only japan. it’s a very own style mix of world music, field recording, ambient and electronic music. the album is started by minimal gamelan ambient “malam”,the second track “selva” is minimal afro brazilian house which reminds us early luciano or villalobos. third track “kamui fuchi” is electric jazz fusion house, fourth track “sphere” is like joan bibiloni in late 80’s. on b side,”etenraku” is avant-garde tribal break beats,”she was in ecstasies”&”escape dub” are typical his style balearic slow house. the album is closed with beautiful melancholic new age music “healing force”. this album is a timeless masterpiece for us.
More
1
Shinsuke Honda - For the Golden Star
2
Shinsuke Honda - Tasogare
3
Shinsuke Honda - Yumeya
4
Shinsuke Honda - Puenosu Honoo
5
Shinsuke Honda - Winter Space
6
Shinsuke Honda - Yubae
7
Shinsuke Honda - Byakuya
8
Shinsuke Honda - Asa
Originally released in 1983 through Apollon Music industrial corp’s alty sublabel, Mule Musiq sub-label Studio Mule presents the first official digital reissue of Shinsuke Honda ????’s rare silence = ????? (???) album. recorded as part of alty’s resort mind music series, Honda-san’s contemplative guitar instrumentals tint the air with nostalgia, longing and a gentle sadness at the impermanence of all things, transporting the listener to an eternal sunset of the mind.
A masterful guitarist and composer with a well-listened ear, Honda-San grew up in Hiroshima during the middle years of the 20th century, eventually making his way to Tokyo in the early 1970s, where he spent several years as a member of the pioneering japanese language folk-rock group Hachimitsu Pie. after they disbanded, Honda-San spent some time in Japan’s jazz and experimental rock scenes before turning his hand to film and television soundtrack work in 1978.
Five years later, as new age and kankyo ongaku (environmental music) became commercial record label concerns, alty offered him a record deal. over silence = ????? (???)’s eight songs, Honda-San collapsed time and space, effortlessly integrating his sepia-toned memories of the rock instrumentals of his childhood with his adult love of jazz, minimalism, electric blues and soundtrack composition.
Although Honda-San went on to have an accomplished career in soundtrack work, along the way scoring the japanese films Target of Lust (1979), Koichiro Uno's shell competition (1980) and Moonlight Whispers (1999), and working on the theme music for the Fuji tv travel program Kazemakase Shin Shokoku Manyuuki, his early work spent decades languishing in obscurity, until it was rediscovered in recent years by record diggers like Tsunaki Kadowaki (sad disco) and Diego Olivas (fond/sound).
Forty years on, Mule Musiq and Studio Mule are very pleased to be able to contribute to the critical re-evaluation of Shinsuke Honda ????’s silence = ????? (???) album as an essential desert island disc for lovers of ecm contemporary jazz, steel-string blues and balearic guitar bliss. More
A masterful guitarist and composer with a well-listened ear, Honda-San grew up in Hiroshima during the middle years of the 20th century, eventually making his way to Tokyo in the early 1970s, where he spent several years as a member of the pioneering japanese language folk-rock group Hachimitsu Pie. after they disbanded, Honda-San spent some time in Japan’s jazz and experimental rock scenes before turning his hand to film and television soundtrack work in 1978.
Five years later, as new age and kankyo ongaku (environmental music) became commercial record label concerns, alty offered him a record deal. over silence = ????? (???)’s eight songs, Honda-San collapsed time and space, effortlessly integrating his sepia-toned memories of the rock instrumentals of his childhood with his adult love of jazz, minimalism, electric blues and soundtrack composition.
Although Honda-San went on to have an accomplished career in soundtrack work, along the way scoring the japanese films Target of Lust (1979), Koichiro Uno's shell competition (1980) and Moonlight Whispers (1999), and working on the theme music for the Fuji tv travel program Kazemakase Shin Shokoku Manyuuki, his early work spent decades languishing in obscurity, until it was rediscovered in recent years by record diggers like Tsunaki Kadowaki (sad disco) and Diego Olivas (fond/sound).
Forty years on, Mule Musiq and Studio Mule are very pleased to be able to contribute to the critical re-evaluation of Shinsuke Honda ????’s silence = ????? (???) album as an essential desert island disc for lovers of ecm contemporary jazz, steel-string blues and balearic guitar bliss. More
1
Soshi Takeda - Analog Photography
2
Soshi Takeda - Blues Dress
3
Soshi Takeda - Peninsula
4
Soshi Takeda - Same Place, Another Time
5
Soshi Takeda - Two Weeks Later
6
Soshi Takeda - Flower
1
Sakura Tsuruta - C/O
2
Sakura Tsuruta - Human Energy
3
Sakura Tsuruta - Hide & Seek
4
Sakura Tsuruta - Kaleidoscope
5
Sakura Tsuruta - Yin Yang
6
Sakura Tsuruta - Double Standard
7
Sakura Tsuruta - Flowers Of Gold
8
Sakura Tsuruta - Feels Like... (Short Edit)
Tenderly propelling and full of haunting melodies: Studio Mule re-issues Sakura Tsuruta’s so far digital only, self-released debut album “c / o” from november 2022.
An evocative first long player by Tokyo based artist, who was trained in classical piano during childhood, played with brass instruments, studied music production, and is today active as a composer, live performer, and versatile dj.
With “c / o” she expressed her personal history in a fluid, around 43-minute long light flooded, yet dark-ish musical vision. eight profoundly composed tracks, melding complex rhythms with emotional airs, tripping arpeggios, and ghostly sounds, slightly influenced by some of her fa-vorite artist like björk, holly herndon, or kaitlyn aurelia smith.
“c / o is a love letter for the experiences, people, and memories i had in the last two years that i spent producing this album. i also like that the letter “c” looks like an incomplete circle, whereas the letter “o” is a full circle. More
An evocative first long player by Tokyo based artist, who was trained in classical piano during childhood, played with brass instruments, studied music production, and is today active as a composer, live performer, and versatile dj.
With “c / o” she expressed her personal history in a fluid, around 43-minute long light flooded, yet dark-ish musical vision. eight profoundly composed tracks, melding complex rhythms with emotional airs, tripping arpeggios, and ghostly sounds, slightly influenced by some of her fa-vorite artist like björk, holly herndon, or kaitlyn aurelia smith.
“c / o is a love letter for the experiences, people, and memories i had in the last two years that i spent producing this album. i also like that the letter “c” looks like an incomplete circle, whereas the letter “o” is a full circle. More
1
Moogroove - Groover Hot Mix
2
Moogroove - Female II
3
Moogroove - Blue Acid
4
Moogroove - Deep Bleep
Moogroove is a self unit of Japanese house music producer “Kenji Eto”.
This release was originally released in 1994 on Mo rhythm records.
It’s a first class 90’s deep house and it’s quite hard to find out the original copy.
Enjoy! More
This release was originally released in 1994 on Mo rhythm records.
It’s a first class 90’s deep house and it’s quite hard to find out the original copy.
Enjoy! More
1
Eiki Nonaka - Phlanged Vortex (Faze Action Remix)
2
Eiki Nonaka - Pyramidal View (Simone De Kunovich Remix)
the remix release of japanese jazz fusion masterpiece of eiki nonaka which was released in the last summer.
uk balearic master “faze action” chosen one of the best track “flanged vortex” from the album(this track is licensed for great compilation “heisei no to” on music from memory). the result is timeless summer feel balearic slow house.
our new favorite artist in milano “simone du kunovich” chosen very emotional tune which is remind us pat metheny. his remix is stripped down no beats emotional house music. it will be your all time favorite closing track! More
uk balearic master “faze action” chosen one of the best track “flanged vortex” from the album(this track is licensed for great compilation “heisei no to” on music from memory). the result is timeless summer feel balearic slow house.
our new favorite artist in milano “simone du kunovich” chosen very emotional tune which is remind us pat metheny. his remix is stripped down no beats emotional house music. it will be your all time favorite closing track! More
A pure journey inward into the headspace of an artist, that reveals his gaze at the earth-ly zones he walks in: “Song for Joni”, the new album by Japanese musician Shunji Mori, brings pure natural music full of artificial nuances who create in conversation with ana-logue tones a new kind of musical nature, loaded with vibrant seasons, unknown to us, the unwise humans. moreover, the album is a fine continuation of Japan’s rich ambient leaning music traditions, carrying them into Lorren Connor’s like pending guitar galaxies.
In the 1990s Tokyo based Mori was part of the trip hop, nu-jazz, deep house, and down-tempo duo natural calamity, releasing a string of albums and EP’s on labels like legend-ary London based imprint Nuphonic, Japanese Idyllic Records or Down 2 Earth Record-ings.
In 2003 he launched the instrumental guitar duo Gabby & Lopez with his buddy Masayuki Ishii. Together they created three albums and performed live. Additionally, Mori plays improvisational concerts with Japanese musician, multi-instrumentalist, and stage direc-tor Daiho Soga and finds time to invent his very own, charismatic guitar music.
His solo work now finally gets introduced with a full-length album for Studio Mule, con-sisting of recent and a decade ago compositions, all merely recorded with the electric guitar, pedals, and field recordings.
In the center of “Song for Joni” is the guitar, spreading longing, drifting melodies. Free floating, yet deeply felt compositions, performed in an accurate journey music style. around the string notes, ambient landscapes soar and vanish.
In some moments, the guitar works like a slow-mo yacht rock lead, flying speed less over and under imaginative sonic clouds. Then, Mori’s music distributes psychedelic ef-fects in the tradition of krautrock legends like Günter Schickert, just without the echo fuzz.
Additionally, in warm vibrating seconds, his creations remind on the calm flashes in the musical work of English photographer, musician, and artist designer Steve Hiett, while Mori’s ambient spheres come close to the magic vibe of records like “Pier & Loft” by his fellow countryman Hiroshi Yoshimura.
A mixture, that transports considerate listeners into the meditative world of Shunji Mori, a calm island of bliss, made for all those that follow the heedful path of life.
TRACKLIST
1: Tale Of Mountain
2: Brown Rice
3: Island
4: Next Time You See Me
5: Eleven
6: Room For South
7: Water Song
8: Grip
9: Fog
10: Pale Midnight Lamp
11: Song For Joni
12: Sweet Havoc More
In the 1990s Tokyo based Mori was part of the trip hop, nu-jazz, deep house, and down-tempo duo natural calamity, releasing a string of albums and EP’s on labels like legend-ary London based imprint Nuphonic, Japanese Idyllic Records or Down 2 Earth Record-ings.
In 2003 he launched the instrumental guitar duo Gabby & Lopez with his buddy Masayuki Ishii. Together they created three albums and performed live. Additionally, Mori plays improvisational concerts with Japanese musician, multi-instrumentalist, and stage direc-tor Daiho Soga and finds time to invent his very own, charismatic guitar music.
His solo work now finally gets introduced with a full-length album for Studio Mule, con-sisting of recent and a decade ago compositions, all merely recorded with the electric guitar, pedals, and field recordings.
In the center of “Song for Joni” is the guitar, spreading longing, drifting melodies. Free floating, yet deeply felt compositions, performed in an accurate journey music style. around the string notes, ambient landscapes soar and vanish.
In some moments, the guitar works like a slow-mo yacht rock lead, flying speed less over and under imaginative sonic clouds. Then, Mori’s music distributes psychedelic ef-fects in the tradition of krautrock legends like Günter Schickert, just without the echo fuzz.
Additionally, in warm vibrating seconds, his creations remind on the calm flashes in the musical work of English photographer, musician, and artist designer Steve Hiett, while Mori’s ambient spheres come close to the magic vibe of records like “Pier & Loft” by his fellow countryman Hiroshi Yoshimura.
A mixture, that transports considerate listeners into the meditative world of Shunji Mori, a calm island of bliss, made for all those that follow the heedful path of life.
TRACKLIST
1: Tale Of Mountain
2: Brown Rice
3: Island
4: Next Time You See Me
5: Eleven
6: Room For South
7: Water Song
8: Grip
9: Fog
10: Pale Midnight Lamp
11: Song For Joni
12: Sweet Havoc More
1
Moogroove - Dark Room
2
Moogroove - Moogroove Pt.2
3
Moogroove - Out Of Control
4
Moogroove - Out Of Time
Moogroove is a self unit of Japanese house music producer “Kenji Eto”.
This release is originally released in 1994 on Mo Rhythm Records.
It was a top secret 90’s Japanese house record until Danilo Plessow aka Motor City Drum Ensemble selected “Dark Room” from this EP for his Fabric compilation.
First straight reissue with great artwork from Lily Fei.
All tracks are first class underground deep house.
Enjoy. More
This release is originally released in 1994 on Mo Rhythm Records.
It was a top secret 90’s Japanese house record until Danilo Plessow aka Motor City Drum Ensemble selected “Dark Room” from this EP for his Fabric compilation.
First straight reissue with great artwork from Lily Fei.
All tracks are first class underground deep house.
Enjoy. More
1
Fumio Itabashi / Henrik Schwarz / Kuniyu - Watarase (Joe Claussell Remix)
2
Fumio Itabashi / Henrik Schwarz / Kuniyu - Watarase feat.Yuki Kaneko Symphonic Poem
Repress!
after great rework of jan jazz classic “watarase” by fumio itabashi,henrik schwarz,kuniyuki, joe claussell reconstructed “watarase”.
it’s an epic cosmic jazz fusion.joe claussell meets kuniyuki are always best.
on b side, it’s a rare minyo(japanese folk song) version of watarase. it’s a live version that fumio itabashi played with the local orchestra and minyo singer. a lot of diggers have been wishing to be released on vinyl.
so this release is one of the most important catalogue on studio mule. More
after great rework of jan jazz classic “watarase” by fumio itabashi,henrik schwarz,kuniyuki, joe claussell reconstructed “watarase”.
it’s an epic cosmic jazz fusion.joe claussell meets kuniyuki are always best.
on b side, it’s a rare minyo(japanese folk song) version of watarase. it’s a live version that fumio itabashi played with the local orchestra and minyo singer. a lot of diggers have been wishing to be released on vinyl.
so this release is one of the most important catalogue on studio mule. More
1
Eiki Nonaka - Phlanged Vortex
2
Eiki Nonaka - Splash
3
Eiki Nonaka - Absolute Domino
4
Eiki Nonaka - Pyramidal View
5
Eiki Nonaka - Sango
6
Eiki Nonaka - Is This How It Feels
7
Eiki Nonaka - Gorby's Blues
Once again Studio Mule dives deep into the music history of Japan, unearthing the multi-colored album “A-Key” by Eiki Nonaka, released as CD only on the short living japanese label Sun & Moon Records in 1995. An album, that uniquely unifies global ethnic music styles, the playfulness of Jazz, innovative electronic soundscapes, and the winding per-sonality of spiritual music.
It’s the only solo album of a musician, that is triggering the advanced electrified japanese music culture since the early 1980ees. Eiki Nonaka was part of electronic New Age quartet interiors, releasing the two minimalistic, synth-pop leaning albums “Interior” and “design” in 1982 and 1987. likewise, he was a member of Haruomi Hosono’s band friends of earth, playing, voicing, and tuning the drum machine, guitar, synthesizers, and mi-crophone on their second landmark experimental Pop Electronic album “Sex, Energy and Star”, released Hosono’s outstanding non-standard label in 1986.
His one and only solo album “A-Key” features the essence of all his musical journeys until 1995, bringing, as he puts it on his blog http://www.viewz.jp, “all my musical career up to that point designed in sounds that were ringing in my head at that time. It's extremely introspective, but the various mental landscapes of that time are still vibrating fresh and acoustically new.” More
It’s the only solo album of a musician, that is triggering the advanced electrified japanese music culture since the early 1980ees. Eiki Nonaka was part of electronic New Age quartet interiors, releasing the two minimalistic, synth-pop leaning albums “Interior” and “design” in 1982 and 1987. likewise, he was a member of Haruomi Hosono’s band friends of earth, playing, voicing, and tuning the drum machine, guitar, synthesizers, and mi-crophone on their second landmark experimental Pop Electronic album “Sex, Energy and Star”, released Hosono’s outstanding non-standard label in 1986.
His one and only solo album “A-Key” features the essence of all his musical journeys until 1995, bringing, as he puts it on his blog http://www.viewz.jp, “all my musical career up to that point designed in sounds that were ringing in my head at that time. It's extremely introspective, but the various mental landscapes of that time are still vibrating fresh and acoustically new.” More
1
Fumio Itabashi / Henrik Schwarz / Kuniyu - Watarase (Henrik Schwarz Version)
2
Fumio Itabashi / Henrik Schwarz / Kuniyu - Watarase (Kuniyuki Version)
Repress!
best japanese jazz pianist “fumio itabashi”,german house producer “henrik schwarz”, one of best japanese electronic music producer “kuniyuki” made the re-recording of japanese jazz classic “watarase” together in japan few years ago. they have played together at montreux jazz festival in tokyo and everyone thought we should make the record together. now finally we’re going to release this excellent record. henrik schwarz and kuniyuki made the own version. the musics are simply gorgeous! More
best japanese jazz pianist “fumio itabashi”,german house producer “henrik schwarz”, one of best japanese electronic music producer “kuniyuki” made the re-recording of japanese jazz classic “watarase” together in japan few years ago. they have played together at montreux jazz festival in tokyo and everyone thought we should make the record together. now finally we’re going to release this excellent record. henrik schwarz and kuniyuki made the own version. the musics are simply gorgeous! More
Birds are singing, a soft female voice embraces the stars, then the funk hits the fan: the second album of mysterious Japanese singer Nadja haunts immediately and marks one of the most exquisite reissues in the ever-growing catalogue of Studio Mule. Originally released in 1989 as promo only CD on the Japanese label Polystar, the album features some of the finest eighties pop funk fusion arrangements of the era. A deeply enchanting lost gem, that gets listeners instantly into heavy repeat addiction.Ten arrangements by a bunch of high-grade arrangers, that all left Nadja’s voice enough space to widespread her talent as a supremely seducing singer, who wrote all lyrics, vocals and chorus by herself in order to present her touching vocal class in a vivid, bewitching timeless style. Come in and get ensnared!
More
More
1
Takayuki Shiraishi - Distant Thunder
2
Takayuki Shiraishi - Birds In Paradise
3
Takayuki Shiraishi - Flicker
4
Takayuki Shiraishi - Lapis Lazuli
5
Takayuki Shiraishi - A Voyage
6
Takayuki Shiraishi - Nocturnal Tribes
7
Takayuki Shiraishi - Shifting Sand
8
Takayuki Shiraishi - Green On Green
Studio Mule drops “Anthologia”, the final chapter of a close look on the work of the Tokyo born DJ and producer Takayuki Shiraishi, a jack of all trades, that sways through Tokyo’s vast music scene since the late 70’s, a time when post punk grooves called the tune. As part of the band BGM he released in 1980 the album “Back Ground Music” on the legendary Osaka based underground label Vanity. Last October Studio Mule reissued BGM’s no wave, free funk mini-mal treasure. A few Month earlier Studio Mule already published “Missing Link”, a thrilling retrospect on Takayuki Shiraishi's unreleased material from the late 1980s, a creative period of which only a little ever saw the light of the day. And now “Anthologia”, a record that is dedicated to his work during the years 1990 to 1996, a time span, in which Shiraishi moved on to produce house, downbeat and playful electronica. In 1995 he released the ambient/techno 12inch “Spectral Colours” on the R&S sublabel Apollo under the alias Planetoid. Two years later he manifested his techno leaning creativity under his given name on the album “Photon”, a record that helped launching Japan’s techno scene. It was followed by two more long players, that display his wide musical taste with ambient, house, breakbeat and other genre blending styles. Besides producing, Shiraishi was also a prominent figure of Tokyo’s club nightlife, DJing alongside Jeff Mills as well as Krautrock icons like Holger Czukay. “Anthologia” features three unreleased tunes of this lapse of time, as well as highlights some work Shiraishi produced together with his friend Jun Sonohara as Musica Nova and a hidden gem he tuned in for the “Isolated Audio Players 1” compilation, published by the Tokyo based Pickin' Mushroom Recordings label in 2000.
More
1
Yukihiro Fukutomi - It’s About Time
2
Yukihiro Fukutomi - It’s Gonna Bealright
3
Yukihiro Fukutomi - Facing Up
second reissue of japanese house music legend “yukihiro fukutomi” on studio mule. title track on a side “it’s about time” was included to the compilation “remix trax vol.6- japanese new vibes”. “it’s gonna be alright” on b1 is e2-e4 influenced deep house and “facing up” reminds us danny tenaglia’s harmonica track. both tracks on b side are taken from his 2nd album which is released on only cd in 1993.
More
1
Atsuko Nina - Teibou
2
Atsuko Nina - Wonderland Yuuyami City
it’s a second reissue of japanese singer songwriter “nina atsuko” on studio mule. “teibou” on a side is our most favorite song of nina atsuko. the album “fluorescent lamp” which “teibou” is included is very hard to find out. nobody is selling it on discogs…. “teibou” is not only rare,it’s one of the most beautiful city pop song. “wonderland yuuyami city” is also beautiful city pop song. limited reissue, don’t sleep!
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Chaos In The CBD - Intimate Fantasy
2
Chaos In The CBD - Club Miyako
“They say the soul cannot rest until it finds its match, then it ignites”
Chaos In The CBD put forward two intriguing, sensual and romantic tracks, aimed at audiophiles who celebrate their beauty and cherish their fantasies.
The Intimate Fantasy EP opens with the title track. A deep house cut with a groove like a single flower blooming in an endless desert. The drums are warm, comfortable and smooth and the track is decorated with irresistible guitar licks.
Flip the record over to find "Club Miyako", a cut that is alive with enchantment and rich with the thrill of the chase. An intoxicating bassline weaves through the pads and piano stabs to form a love potion of sweet temptation and sensuality.
IDWT012, a new fragrance by Chaos In The CBD in stores Nov 21st More
Chaos In The CBD put forward two intriguing, sensual and romantic tracks, aimed at audiophiles who celebrate their beauty and cherish their fantasies.
The Intimate Fantasy EP opens with the title track. A deep house cut with a groove like a single flower blooming in an endless desert. The drums are warm, comfortable and smooth and the track is decorated with irresistible guitar licks.
Flip the record over to find "Club Miyako", a cut that is alive with enchantment and rich with the thrill of the chase. An intoxicating bassline weaves through the pads and piano stabs to form a love potion of sweet temptation and sensuality.
IDWT012, a new fragrance by Chaos In The CBD in stores Nov 21st More
1
Chaos In The CBD - Emotional Intelligence (ft. Nathan Haines & Dave Koor)
2
Chaos In The CBD & Lee Pearson Jnr Colle - It's Up To Me (Vocal) (ft. Joe-Armon Jones & K. LaDawn)
3
Chaos In The CBD & Lee Pearson Jnr Colle - It's Up To Me (Instrumental) (ft. Joe-Armon Jones & K. LaDawn)
Repress!
The dynamic NZ brother duo known from Mule Musiq, Rhythm Section and their own In Dust We Trust impresses with a superb collaborative EP of highly emotional music!
‘Emotional Intelligence’ fills the A side seeing them team up saxophonist and fellow kiwi jazz legend Nathan Haines and South London’s own Dave Koor aka. Modified Man. On the flipside they join forces with Chicago’s Lee Pearson Jnr (known for his writing for Larry Heard), K. LaDawn on vocals and rising star Joe Armon-Jones on keys. A blissful experience throughout and another demonstration of Chaos In The CBD’s maturing, amazing production skills. More
The dynamic NZ brother duo known from Mule Musiq, Rhythm Section and their own In Dust We Trust impresses with a superb collaborative EP of highly emotional music!
‘Emotional Intelligence’ fills the A side seeing them team up saxophonist and fellow kiwi jazz legend Nathan Haines and South London’s own Dave Koor aka. Modified Man. On the flipside they join forces with Chicago’s Lee Pearson Jnr (known for his writing for Larry Heard), K. LaDawn on vocals and rising star Joe Armon-Jones on keys. A blissful experience throughout and another demonstration of Chaos In The CBD’s maturing, amazing production skills. More
1
Chaos In The CBD - Come Together
2
Chaos In The CBD - Digital Sound
Repress!
Peckham-based DJ and producer duo Chaos In The CBD have announced their new 12” ‘Come Together / Digital Sound’ on their In Dust We Trust imprint, out October 28th 2019.
Consisting of New Zealand brothers Ben and Louis Helliker-Hales, the duo’s new release features two excellently crafted club cuts that display their flair for creating deep house soundscapes, from the jacking, percussive heavy hitter ‘Come Together’ which features searing synths and a fierce bassline, to the expressive rhythmic stylings of ‘Digital Sound’, which features driving percussion and atmospheric synths.
Since moving to Peckham in 2012, the duo quickly became an integral part of the South London electronic community with their standout releases, including records on Rhythm Section, Mule Musiq and their own In Dust We Trust imprint, which they co-founded with fellow kiwi producer Jon Sable. This combined with the infectious energy of their magnetic and accomplished DJ sets have propelled them to play at some of the best clubs worldwide.
Chaos In The CBD say: “The purpose of IDWT has always been to serve as an outlet to release our own music without being at the mercy of external labels, whilst also retaining full control of the project both musically and aesthetically. Our goal has always been to release timeless music that we will be proud of for decades to come.”
With their new release, Chaos In The CBD continue their rise as refreshing producers in the electronic scene, and look set to close out 2019 on a high with a jam-packed worldwide tour ahead, including their In Dust We Trust label tour, and stops at Tokyo, Melbourne, Bali and London. More
Peckham-based DJ and producer duo Chaos In The CBD have announced their new 12” ‘Come Together / Digital Sound’ on their In Dust We Trust imprint, out October 28th 2019.
Consisting of New Zealand brothers Ben and Louis Helliker-Hales, the duo’s new release features two excellently crafted club cuts that display their flair for creating deep house soundscapes, from the jacking, percussive heavy hitter ‘Come Together’ which features searing synths and a fierce bassline, to the expressive rhythmic stylings of ‘Digital Sound’, which features driving percussion and atmospheric synths.
Since moving to Peckham in 2012, the duo quickly became an integral part of the South London electronic community with their standout releases, including records on Rhythm Section, Mule Musiq and their own In Dust We Trust imprint, which they co-founded with fellow kiwi producer Jon Sable. This combined with the infectious energy of their magnetic and accomplished DJ sets have propelled them to play at some of the best clubs worldwide.
Chaos In The CBD say: “The purpose of IDWT has always been to serve as an outlet to release our own music without being at the mercy of external labels, whilst also retaining full control of the project both musically and aesthetically. Our goal has always been to release timeless music that we will be proud of for decades to come.”
With their new release, Chaos In The CBD continue their rise as refreshing producers in the electronic scene, and look set to close out 2019 on a high with a jam-packed worldwide tour ahead, including their In Dust We Trust label tour, and stops at Tokyo, Melbourne, Bali and London. More
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Chaos In The CBD & Jon Sable - Mahia Madness
2
Chaos In The CBD - Coral Castle
3
Chaos In The CBD & Jon Sable - Te Puke Thunder
4
Jon Sable - Ascension Island
Repress!
Te Puke Thunder is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most sought after cannabis strains.
Hailing from the volcanic regions of New Zealand, Te Puke Thunder is prized for its larger buds and higher potency. Gaining popularity in the 70s, the polyploid plant succeeded in becoming a well renowned strain and was notably displayed in a number of Amsterdam coffee shops.
New Zealand authorities believe they have successfully wiped out the majority, if not all, possible trails for the whereabouts of the venerable strain. Some believe there may not be a single seed left with the unmatched genetics of the original Te Puke Thunder strain.
If any old timers are still growing it, please contact [email protected] - we would love to talk.
For now, the hunt for the elusive strain lives on…
More
Te Puke Thunder is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most sought after cannabis strains.
Hailing from the volcanic regions of New Zealand, Te Puke Thunder is prized for its larger buds and higher potency. Gaining popularity in the 70s, the polyploid plant succeeded in becoming a well renowned strain and was notably displayed in a number of Amsterdam coffee shops.
New Zealand authorities believe they have successfully wiped out the majority, if not all, possible trails for the whereabouts of the venerable strain. Some believe there may not be a single seed left with the unmatched genetics of the original Te Puke Thunder strain.
If any old timers are still growing it, please contact [email protected] - we would love to talk.
For now, the hunt for the elusive strain lives on…
More
After a year of sold-out tours, thousands of vinyl sales on their imprint In Dust We Trust, and their fifth Boiler Room set, New Zealand siblings Chaos In The CBD round off a decade-spanning career with a ‘fabric presents’ mix. The duo’s grasp of house music history is showcased as they create a slick and nostalgic journey through the genre’s hidden gems – making it fabric’s most challenging licensing project to date, with much of the music available digitally for the first time. Louis and Ben see the project as an ode to those underappreciated tunes that made a huge impact on them. Their exclusive ‘Higher Elevation’ blends in with the rest as an everlasting house cut with its delicate dreamy keys, fluffy bass and a groovy loop. The highlight-heavy comp boasts a personable album cover shot in Egypt, adding an extra layer of individuality to this stand out release.
Tracklisting:
A1. Chaos In The CBD - Higher Elevation [fabric Records]
A2. Ronin - Romantic Yearnings [Night Lights]
B1. J.D. Hall - Into You (Johnathan Morning Mix)
B2. Raymond Castoldi - The Jungle [X-Ray Records]
C1. Hanna - You & Me [Room Records]
C2. Miquifaye ft Javairia Ali - Never Let You Go (Cosmic Vision Vocal Pass) [Metaphor]
D1. Psychedelic Research Lab - Tarenah (Chill Mix) - 2021 Remaster [Gyroscopic Recordings]
D2. Z-Formation - Secret Departure [Hi-Bias Records] More
Tracklisting:
A1. Chaos In The CBD - Higher Elevation [fabric Records]
A2. Ronin - Romantic Yearnings [Night Lights]
B1. J.D. Hall - Into You (Johnathan Morning Mix)
B2. Raymond Castoldi - The Jungle [X-Ray Records]
C1. Hanna - You & Me [Room Records]
C2. Miquifaye ft Javairia Ali - Never Let You Go (Cosmic Vision Vocal Pass) [Metaphor]
D1. Psychedelic Research Lab - Tarenah (Chill Mix) - 2021 Remaster [Gyroscopic Recordings]
D2. Z-Formation - Secret Departure [Hi-Bias Records] More