1
Ground - Kaukiji
2
Mori Ra & Ground - Mountain Disco (feat AFROBABES)
3
Akira Arasawa - Savannah Old Man Story
4
Hutte Sound System - Hutte Life In Future
5
Ground - Enjoy Your Self (edit)
Especial Specials completes its series of releases with Osaka's
Chillmountain Recordings, again including label head Ground and friends to present a showcase of their music from 110 bpm Beatdown stomps to an uplifting collaboration with edit supremo Mori Ra, rising star Akira Arasawa to two perfect closing Balearic sunset jams.
Starting with Ground's Kaukiji. Inspired by local folklore of his hometown, this is an exemplary take on the quirky looped, locked acid house meets psychedelic live grooves their productions and DJ sets are known for. A wonky, wobbly, perky mix of house and tribal techno.
Following is a quirky detour with Ground teaming up with Japan's own edit whiz extraordinaire Mori Ra in a grooving, growing, whirl of floating kalimba, timbales, carnival whistles, rainforest squawks and shrieks, aptly titled Mountain Disco
Akira Arasawa returns for the finale with a twist, eschewing the dancefloor bombs this series has presented from a rising star for some a tantric, dubbed-out Balearic sonics.
Hutte Sound System then return. A project born in Osaka a decade ago, Ground first developing a studio craft with producer Absolute Time, naming the results after the location it was made - Hutte. Hutte Life In Future ios the results, a slice of slo-mo motorik that finds an anthemic funk.
Enjoy Your Self closes. Originally, released, as with all the music present in the series via Chillmountain's Bandcamp, on vinyl it is chopped from a long form ambient digi-swirl to be presented as a cheeky closing edit, a goodbye and arigato !! More
Chillmountain Recordings, again including label head Ground and friends to present a showcase of their music from 110 bpm Beatdown stomps to an uplifting collaboration with edit supremo Mori Ra, rising star Akira Arasawa to two perfect closing Balearic sunset jams.
Starting with Ground's Kaukiji. Inspired by local folklore of his hometown, this is an exemplary take on the quirky looped, locked acid house meets psychedelic live grooves their productions and DJ sets are known for. A wonky, wobbly, perky mix of house and tribal techno.
Following is a quirky detour with Ground teaming up with Japan's own edit whiz extraordinaire Mori Ra in a grooving, growing, whirl of floating kalimba, timbales, carnival whistles, rainforest squawks and shrieks, aptly titled Mountain Disco
Akira Arasawa returns for the finale with a twist, eschewing the dancefloor bombs this series has presented from a rising star for some a tantric, dubbed-out Balearic sonics.
Hutte Sound System then return. A project born in Osaka a decade ago, Ground first developing a studio craft with producer Absolute Time, naming the results after the location it was made - Hutte. Hutte Life In Future ios the results, a slice of slo-mo motorik that finds an anthemic funk.
Enjoy Your Self closes. Originally, released, as with all the music present in the series via Chillmountain's Bandcamp, on vinyl it is chopped from a long form ambient digi-swirl to be presented as a cheeky closing edit, a goodbye and arigato !! More
More records from Ground
1
Ground - Ozunu
2
Ground - Kanu
3
Ground - Kibun Ebun
A three track EP by Ground, a DJ and producer based in Osaka, Japan.
He has released his debut album on ESP institute and other works on Jin, Multi Culti, SVS, Bokeh Version and his own label Chillmountain Rec.
Ozunu is a three-track single cut, including the title track, from an album released digitally on Chillmountain Rec last year in 2021.
Inspired by the old tales of South Osaka, the EP is full of twisty, acidic house, rickety percussion, psychedelic overdubs, and ridiculously fat bass. Chugging synthesizers and squidgy bass notes form a bright, meandering groove. More
He has released his debut album on ESP institute and other works on Jin, Multi Culti, SVS, Bokeh Version and his own label Chillmountain Rec.
Ozunu is a three-track single cut, including the title track, from an album released digitally on Chillmountain Rec last year in 2021.
Inspired by the old tales of South Osaka, the EP is full of twisty, acidic house, rickety percussion, psychedelic overdubs, and ridiculously fat bass. Chugging synthesizers and squidgy bass notes form a bright, meandering groove. More
1
Ground - Osakacid
2
Ground - Osakacid (Long Flight Version feat. Mayuko)
3
Ground - Stone Bridge
4
Ground - Stone Bridge (Mogambo 4AM Psy Dub)
JIN 03 EP presents a 4 track EP from Osaka's Ground. True to his unique soul that's reminiscent of a nomad, traversing the planet, befriending kindred spirits found in humans and various environments, this EP presents 4 pieces of unique grooves that ranges from the more euphoric vibe to both daytime & night time of a winter season surrounding a temple.
On A side "Osakacid" comes in two versions : A1 original version is a slow motion acidic tripper under the winter street of Osaka city lights. Long Flight Version features Mayuko, 1/2 of ambient, electronica duo Synth Sisters. Soothing melody layered with Ground's goofy acidic flavor compliments perfectly with each other.
B1 turns to the pure creative side of Ground. "Stone Bridge" is based on a local bridge that connects to a temple nearby his country side home outside of Osaka. Mystic and minimalistically punchy, this cut digs deep into the soulful side of Ground's ever nomadic approach. B2 comes in a complete shock: Ground's longtime friends in Thailand - Mogambo twists up "Stone Bridge" into a psychedelic, GOA fused floor shaker that takes you to an imaginary zone of raving inside the temple late into early morning. More
On A side "Osakacid" comes in two versions : A1 original version is a slow motion acidic tripper under the winter street of Osaka city lights. Long Flight Version features Mayuko, 1/2 of ambient, electronica duo Synth Sisters. Soothing melody layered with Ground's goofy acidic flavor compliments perfectly with each other.
B1 turns to the pure creative side of Ground. "Stone Bridge" is based on a local bridge that connects to a temple nearby his country side home outside of Osaka. Mystic and minimalistically punchy, this cut digs deep into the soulful side of Ground's ever nomadic approach. B2 comes in a complete shock: Ground's longtime friends in Thailand - Mogambo twists up "Stone Bridge" into a psychedelic, GOA fused floor shaker that takes you to an imaginary zone of raving inside the temple late into early morning. More
1
Ground - Wakusei A
2
Ground - Wakusei Y (ft Sinkichi & Kabamix)
3
Ground - Hayabusa
When the world slipped into madness last month, the ESP Institute put most releases on the back-burner to await brighter days, but then we thought again; why not approach these odd circumstances the way we do most realities, positively and head-on? We’re committed to a community that builds new worlds — this is fundamental to our creative and spiritual relationship with Osaka-born, cosmos-straggling artist, Ground — and while temporarily we can’t physically congregate to uplift each other, its our responsibility as an institution to maintain a platform for prolific creative pioneers, our cherished cartographers of cognitive escape. 'Wakusei' is wonderfully confusing and disorienting music, a follow-up EP to 2018’s critically acclaimed album 'Sunizm', not created specifically for life under lockdown, but nonetheless aptly suited to help release angst, guide meditation, and assist in making this moment in history more interesting if not transcendental. Whereas 'Sunizm' relied on field recordings gathered from rainforests, percussions learned from imaginary ancient civilizations, and the somehow organic freneticism of a mission control meltdown, the aesthetic of 'Wakusei' reduces this abstract instrumentation one step further to a more base-level array of gurgling synth scraps, accelerating engine friction and static-bound phonetic mistakes, all scrubbed into dust by a Brillo pad of white noise. The cliché of “great art is born out of hard times” is not lost upon us — of course the world will look back to this turmoil and its residual contributions to culture — but we see today's art as an immediate coping mechanism, and artists like Ground helping to unlock and navigate internal utopias. We’re already indoors, let’s delve inside. TRACK LISTING: A1. Wakusei A, A2. Wakusei Y (ft Sinkichi & Kabamix), B1. Hayabusa
More
More
1
Ground - Follow Me
2
Ground - Follow Me (Jay Glass Dubs Mix)
3
Ground - Ozone House
Ground is an Osaka native, but his soul is truly that of a nomad, traversing the planet, befriending kindred spirits found in humans, animals and plants. He is exceptionally receptive to the beauty in everything that surrounds him—the incidental music of a city street, the orchestral chaos of a scrambling radio, the syncopated grace of migrating birds, the simplicity of an isolated hand clap—and as his roadmap continuously unfolds, he accumulates a vast catalogue of visceral tools to musically recount his experiences. 'Sunizm' is a cross section of the artist’s process—an array of complex microcosms overlapping to comprise a thematic whole—gathering field recordings, found instruments, jagged electronics, synthesized chanting, and weaving all into a dense narrative that appears obsessively constructed yet divinely improvised. 'Follow Me', the second of two singles surrounding the album, is complimented with a pseudo drum’n’bass treatment by enigmatic Greek artist Jay Glass Dubs, as well as a massively triumphant b-side entitled 'Ozone House', which is exclusive to this single release. Attention all humans, animals and plants, Ground and the ESP Institute present, 'Sunizm'.
More
Ground is an Osaka native, but his soul is truly that of a nomad, traversing the planet, befriending kindred spirits found in humans, animals and plants. He is exceptionally receptive to the beauty in everything that surrounds him—the incidental music of a city street, the orchestral chaos of a scrambling radio, the syncopated grace of migrating birds, the simplicity of an isolated hand clap—and as his roadmap continuously unfolds, he accumulates a vast catalogue of visceral tools to musically recount his experiences. Sunizm is a cross section of the artist’s process—an array of complex microcosms overlapping to comprise a thematic whole—gathering field recordings, found instruments, jagged electronics, synthesized chanting, and weaving all into a dense narrative that appears obsessively constructed yet divinely improvised. Logos is the first of two singles surrounding the album and is complimented with a monster remix by Bartellow (a fellow ESP artist, collaborator and good friend of Ground) as well as a secret weapon b-side entitled Discopazzle, which is exclusive to this single release. Attention all humans, animals and plants, Ground and the ESP Institute present, Sunizm.
More
1
ground - Osaka Native
2
ground - Logos
3
ground - Follow Me
4
ground - Lady Plants
5
ground - Hanasai
6
ground - Feel It
7
ground - Koot Works (Feat OR)
8
ground - Oenothera
9
ground - Sunizm
Ground is an Osaka native, but his soul is truly that of a nomad, traversing the planet, befriending the kindred spirits found in humans, animals and plants. He is exceptionally receptive to the beauty in all that surrounds him—the incidental music of a busy city street, the orchestrated chaos of a scrambling radio, the syncopated grace of a migrating flock of birds, the simplicity of an isolated hand clap—and as his map continuously unfolds, he accumulates a vast catalogue of visceral tools to complex musically recount his experiences. Sunizm is a cross section of the artist’s process—an array of complex microcosms overlapping to comprise a thematic whole—gathering field recordings, found instrumentation, jagged electronics, and synthesized chanting, to be woven into a dense narrative that appears both obsessively constructed and divinely improvised. With each consecutive track, the artist gradually constructs hypnotic patterns that 1-up the mind as it struggles to break free from a seduction of loops, steadily intensifying until reaching an apex of sound collage so cerebral that the listener might consider a post-album shower. But alas, the fourth quarter releases a bit of pressure, our gobs still lay smacked but there is a warm confidence as the psychedelic trial delivers us home to nod out. Dear humans, animals and plants, Ground and the ESP Institute present, Sunizm.
More
More records from Mori Ra
1
Mori Ra - Catharsis Edit
2
Mori Ra - Seinn O! Edit
3
Mori Ra - The Grandson Traveler
4
Mori Ra - That Star
Forest Jams continues the journey into the great beyond with Mori Ra’s Mantra–an EP composed of four edits created for any inquisitive earthling and forest wanderer. Mori Ra is a DJ based in Osaka, Japan his sets are a witches brew composed of balearic, cosmic, and electronic disco ingredients. He has released on other labels such as Rotating Souls, Macadam Mambo, Berceuse Heroique, MM Discos and more. In Mantra, Mori Ra acts as a mysterious wanderer who has stumbled upon the doors of our minds in the middle of the night. When we answer the door he is bearing gifts of creative glory and all we need to do is provide shelter in return. We invite him in so that he can rest, recharge, and continue his journey. During his visit in our minds Mori Ra shares “Mantra” the secrets of the universe disguised as parables packaged neatly into four tracks. Catharsis begins the journey and immediately throws us into a sound that feels like we are driving a spaceship in Gran Turismo 37, the spaceship simulator. Now that we have successfully crossed the plane and have entered the digital unknown, Seinn O! becomes the story of communication. Seinn O! gave the smoke leaving my mouth color and the shamanistic chants placed me in an atmospheric state with the ability to cross over and communicate in the digital space. Then comes ??? the Grandson Traveler, which embodies the story of the simulation. Imagine the sound of a bustling dystopian city in the matrix–neon signs, dancing billboards, talking vending machines, radioactive wildlife, and overgrown foliage leaking in from the jungle the city is carved into. Mori Ra seems to have melded all of those sounds together to create the soundtrack of the big city where everyone is lost. Finally, before leaving our minds Mori Ra offers the final parable, ??? That Star. Which becomes the story of realization, the journey back home from the exploration of the mind. That Star brought me into a cave and I could see the opening at the end of it, all I had to do was walk towards it. However, I couldn’t walk. I could only galumph forward, while bouncing up and down to the beat. My arms slivered and guided my body forward as the vocals came in. As I moved forward the opening, the clearing, the destination remained the same distance away. The endless tunnel of the mind gave me a feeling of comfort because I did not want this journey to end. The EP ends and we will never know who visited our minds that night, but we know we loved the journey. Mori Ra is the steward of our journey through consciousness, and the vessel is “Mantra”.
More
1
Mori Ra - Gaia Caos
2
Mori Ra - Goreate
3
Mori Ra - Gaia Disco
4
Mori Ra - Penguins Repair
Tracklist: 12":
A1) Gaia Caos 8:33
A2) Goreate 5:24
B1) Gaia Disco 5:04
B2) Penguins Repair 5:11
Mori Ra strikes back at MM Discos with "Gaia Edits", after the successful release back in May on the label of the "portuñol" duo, Da Silva and Dj Katah welcome again Osaka's best record collector with 4 new high quality editions.
Staying loyal to his eclecticism, Mori Ra approaches this time a lil more to the dancefloor by doing a more hedonistic work than his previous release on "MM Discos" , an exuberant "disco-no-disco" exercise mixed with ethnic references, wicked percussion, charming marimbas and an endless of psychedelic elements. A record done for the soul; spiritual, mystic, highly addictive and 100% danceable.
A very special release where the Japanese artist has involved his son who helped with choosing the sound source for this record.
Enjoy the trip! :)
More
A1) Gaia Caos 8:33
A2) Goreate 5:24
B1) Gaia Disco 5:04
B2) Penguins Repair 5:11
Mori Ra strikes back at MM Discos with "Gaia Edits", after the successful release back in May on the label of the "portuñol" duo, Da Silva and Dj Katah welcome again Osaka's best record collector with 4 new high quality editions.
Staying loyal to his eclecticism, Mori Ra approaches this time a lil more to the dancefloor by doing a more hedonistic work than his previous release on "MM Discos" , an exuberant "disco-no-disco" exercise mixed with ethnic references, wicked percussion, charming marimbas and an endless of psychedelic elements. A record done for the soul; spiritual, mystic, highly addictive and 100% danceable.
A very special release where the Japanese artist has involved his son who helped with choosing the sound source for this record.
Enjoy the trip! :)
More
1
Mori Ra - El Grito del Discos
2
Mori Ra - Tsimmairuudiralla
3
Mori Ra - Natural Kogili
4
Mori Ra - Der Hangebruckenlator's
Vinyl Only! lim to 300 Copies!
It's an honor for us to i ntroduce you to one of the artists that has i nfluenced us the most since we
started our story back i n 2015. I still remember l istening to the first edits that Mori-Ra posted on his
soundcloud page and since then, here at MM Discos we've always had an eye on every single thing
that he has put on the streets.
Obsessed digger and one of Japan's most esteemed collectors, Osaka's based dj Mori Ra must be
one of the most determinate artists on the scene. His Vast knowledge of l ocal and i nternational
music has developed his wide ranging style.
An artist that flees from fashions, vinyl l over and a true tastemaker. Eclecticism i s probably the word
that i t could define him better; Disco, Balearic, New Age, New Wave, Jazz, Rock, Experimental and
everything i n between should be expected on his sets and edits, blending all this genres and
breaking all the rules i n order to keep the dancers and music l overs on their toes and grooving.
Mori Ra's MM Discos 13 i s the result of the continuous and relentless exploration for years of
thousands of ( almost) forgotten records, regardless of genre and author. A work not suitable for all
tastes, unclassifiable and highly addictive.
A1) El Grito del Discos 5:14
A2) Tsimmairuudiralla 6:04
B1) Natural Kogili 5:29
B2) Der Hangebruckenlator's 6:00
More
It's an honor for us to i ntroduce you to one of the artists that has i nfluenced us the most since we
started our story back i n 2015. I still remember l istening to the first edits that Mori-Ra posted on his
soundcloud page and since then, here at MM Discos we've always had an eye on every single thing
that he has put on the streets.
Obsessed digger and one of Japan's most esteemed collectors, Osaka's based dj Mori Ra must be
one of the most determinate artists on the scene. His Vast knowledge of l ocal and i nternational
music has developed his wide ranging style.
An artist that flees from fashions, vinyl l over and a true tastemaker. Eclecticism i s probably the word
that i t could define him better; Disco, Balearic, New Age, New Wave, Jazz, Rock, Experimental and
everything i n between should be expected on his sets and edits, blending all this genres and
breaking all the rules i n order to keep the dancers and music l overs on their toes and grooving.
Mori Ra's MM Discos 13 i s the result of the continuous and relentless exploration for years of
thousands of ( almost) forgotten records, regardless of genre and author. A work not suitable for all
tastes, unclassifiable and highly addictive.
A1) El Grito del Discos 5:14
A2) Tsimmairuudiralla 6:04
B1) Natural Kogili 5:29
B2) Der Hangebruckenlator's 6:00
More
Cat-No:FJRS-01
Release-Date:10.04.2021
Configuration:2LP
Cat-No:FJRS-01
Release-Date:10.04.2021
Configuration:2LP
1
Mori Ra - Feel
2
Mori Ra - Starry
3
Mori Ra - Pygmy
4
Mori Ra - Caravan
5
Mori Ra - Magical
6
Mori Ra - Sky
7
Mori Ra - Mordern
8
Mori Ra - Suddenly
9
Mori Ra - Mood
10
Mori Ra - Bush
11
Mori Ra - Image
12
Mori Ra - Lyon
Mori Ra with the fastest diggers trigger in all the land completes a set of dancefloor ready edits of Japanese electronic & city-pop songs culled from his well-known Japanese Breeze mix series that he does with the Rotating Souls record label. Some of the tunes are familiar and some rare and unknown but Mori puts his own touch that can only come from years of experience and an extreme relationship to the originals. This record is a joint release between both Rotating Souls & Forest Jams.
More
1
mori ra - No Title
2
mori ra - No Title
After a killer 12 inch from Mori Ra, Jongno Edits is back with two tunes, blurring the lines between editing and sampling.
More
More
1
mori ra - Heavenly Me edit
2
mori ra - No One Knows edit
For its fourth release, Jongno Edits got two tracks of pure korean grooves by editing wizard Mori Ra. Two sides, two atmospheres: Side A is a boogie banger that embraces all the elements of the top tunes of that era: strong drum beat, slappy bass synth and violins break downs… Reinforced by killer funky guitars and congas that hold the groove tight! Side B is your perfect sunset Balearic cut for this summer.
The dreamlike bells match perfectly the suave voices to prepare your ascend to the clouds of delayed organs and acoustic guitar where Jeju becomes Ibiza…
More
The dreamlike bells match perfectly the suave voices to prepare your ascend to the clouds of delayed organs and acoustic guitar where Jeju becomes Ibiza…
More
1
mori ra - Wilderness
2
mori ra - Machinally City
3
mori ra - Candy Fllow
4
mori ra - Musically Time
Tracy Island, surrounded by natures greatest and ever rising force of the Ocean, is a place emanating peace and joy. The label is a concept representing the isolation and appeal of Island life, contrasted with thought provoking and mesmerising melodies to draw us away from main land mentality, offering feelings of tranquility and wonder. In these controversial times the necessity to escape or break away grows as we feel increasingly submerged by the world’s realities, now more than ever we should strive to protect both the environment and the purpose of this planet. Tracy Island will follow a 10 episode framework taking inspiration from Thunderbirds, all of which aptly named after the original series. The first episode welcomes Mori Ra of Osaka, with four old edits from way back when on “Trapped In The Sky”. “ Located in the South Pacific, the heavily camouflaged Island's ulterior function is to serve as the secret base of the International Rescue Organisation. Music For Hope. With love from Tracy Island. “
More
More records from Especial Specials
1
Akio Nagase - Mbira Dub
2
Akira Arasawa - Multi Gud Z
3
Akira Arasawa & Ground - Dolphin
4
Saeko Killy - Dancing Pikapika
Osaka based label Chillmountain's retrospective continues with Enjoy Your Self 3, as their deep, dubby and psychedelic electronic productions are examined and presented again on Especial's spin off label, Specials.
Star of both Chillmountain and now Especial (EES038 / EES042), Akio Nagase introduces possibly the stand-out track from the whole series with his Dub Techno meets Kalimba, Mbira Dub. A Basic Channel deep groove is twisted and mixed with pure Zimbabwe idiophone rhythm, the live Mbira bringing melody against bongos and cheeky repetitive vox for the ultimate dub house shuffle.
Label stars Akira Arasawa and Ground come together for a special one-off discoid beatdown. Acid bass, Fourth World samples, trippy fx and whistles'n' chants all lead to a psychedelic pot of chugging discoid heaven.
Akira Arasawa then goes solo with Dolphin, a driving club cut of wide and deep "proporpoises". His move from shamanic Psy-Trance to slower beats complete, creating a space inbetween of dub beats. A head down, basement joy.
Things slow to a Dancing Pikapika, as 'Tokyo to Berlin' based DJ, vocalist and producer Saeko Killy closes EP3. With a recent appearance on the ever-essential Sameheads club's compilation series and music upcoming with Sofa elsewhere (Emotional Response / Music From Memory), her closer is a leftfield, new wave turn of groovy, catchy, pop and acid bubbles. More
Star of both Chillmountain and now Especial (EES038 / EES042), Akio Nagase introduces possibly the stand-out track from the whole series with his Dub Techno meets Kalimba, Mbira Dub. A Basic Channel deep groove is twisted and mixed with pure Zimbabwe idiophone rhythm, the live Mbira bringing melody against bongos and cheeky repetitive vox for the ultimate dub house shuffle.
Label stars Akira Arasawa and Ground come together for a special one-off discoid beatdown. Acid bass, Fourth World samples, trippy fx and whistles'n' chants all lead to a psychedelic pot of chugging discoid heaven.
Akira Arasawa then goes solo with Dolphin, a driving club cut of wide and deep "proporpoises". His move from shamanic Psy-Trance to slower beats complete, creating a space inbetween of dub beats. A head down, basement joy.
Things slow to a Dancing Pikapika, as 'Tokyo to Berlin' based DJ, vocalist and producer Saeko Killy closes EP3. With a recent appearance on the ever-essential Sameheads club's compilation series and music upcoming with Sofa elsewhere (Emotional Response / Music From Memory), her closer is a leftfield, new wave turn of groovy, catchy, pop and acid bubbles. More
1
Ground - Utau Narukoyuri
2
Akio Nagase - Arauma (Kobato dub)
3
Jose Finagandara, Juan Diego Lllescas & - Something Sign
4
Akira Arasawa With KUN & FRANKY-CH - Yunnan
Especial Specials and Chillmountain Recordings present the 2nd EP in the Enjoy Your Self EP, diving deeper into the Osaka based labels music to showcase their roster in detail.
The EP starts with label head, Ground's mesmerising Beatdown meets Trance inducing Utau Narukoyuri. A slow burning, late night trip out for deep parties or 'afters'.
Next, Especial 'favourite' Akio Nagase appears for the first time in the series with the heavy, tribal percussives of Arauma (Kobato Dub). The original link between the Chillmountain and Especial, Akio's name is on the rise and here the heavyweight dub basslines and ethereal, new age flute is perfect for late night dark room, psychedelic adventures.
The label's collaborative approach shines as Equador duo Josefina Gandara and Juan Diego Illescas are welcomed. Members of electronic cumbia project, Categal, his backgrounds in film and sound composition, sound design and visual media, highlights Illescas' mastery of the conscious sounds of the pueblos, working with Ground's dub minimalism, all elevated with the awe and lanquitidy of Gandara's natural vocals.
To end Akira Arasawa returns, here with Kun and Franky-Ch, and a meandering Balearic journey of hazy beats, guitar, Hoomii (Mongolian) throat singing, found sound, bird song and folkloric strings, beautifully together for the perfect come down. More
The EP starts with label head, Ground's mesmerising Beatdown meets Trance inducing Utau Narukoyuri. A slow burning, late night trip out for deep parties or 'afters'.
Next, Especial 'favourite' Akio Nagase appears for the first time in the series with the heavy, tribal percussives of Arauma (Kobato Dub). The original link between the Chillmountain and Especial, Akio's name is on the rise and here the heavyweight dub basslines and ethereal, new age flute is perfect for late night dark room, psychedelic adventures.
The label's collaborative approach shines as Equador duo Josefina Gandara and Juan Diego Illescas are welcomed. Members of electronic cumbia project, Categal, his backgrounds in film and sound composition, sound design and visual media, highlights Illescas' mastery of the conscious sounds of the pueblos, working with Ground's dub minimalism, all elevated with the awe and lanquitidy of Gandara's natural vocals.
To end Akira Arasawa returns, here with Kun and Franky-Ch, and a meandering Balearic journey of hazy beats, guitar, Hoomii (Mongolian) throat singing, found sound, bird song and folkloric strings, beautifully together for the perfect come down. More
1
Akira Arasawa - Panorama New Touch
2
OR - Hammock Beats
3
Ground & MAYUKo - Liquidanz
4
Hutte Sound System - Fire Fly
Especial Specials returns after a 4-year hiatus with another series of releases bringing previously digital only tracks to vinyl, this time teaming up with Osaka based Chillmountain Recordings.
Compiled with DJ, Producer and label head, Ground, the 4 EP series presents a best of / cross section of the releases to date, highlighting their leftfield, psychedelic, ambient, trippy-pop, cosmic cumbia and dance floor electronics.
Featuring a mix of known producers like Akio Nagase (Especial), Mori Ra (Macadam Mambo / Hivern Discs) and Ground (ESP Institute), with the soon in-demand Akira Arasawa, as well as the new wave pop of Killy, the Balearic anthems of Hutte Sound System and more, Enjoy Your Self is just that, an uplifting view of a label forging its own path.
EP1 starts with possibly the most dance-friendly track of the whole series, Arasawa showing his Trance background with a driving psychedelic meets discoid bang. O.R. follows with laidback breaks of the aptly titled Hammock Beats, before label head Ground teams up with Synth Sisters (EM Records) member MAYUKo for a 100bpm mid-tempo bongo-laden, trippy-chugger that is highly representative of the Chillmountain sound. To finish the first EP, Hutte Sound System (aka Absolute Time and Ground) present a perfect downtempo, Balearic closing that encapsulates a snapshot of the label. More
Compiled with DJ, Producer and label head, Ground, the 4 EP series presents a best of / cross section of the releases to date, highlighting their leftfield, psychedelic, ambient, trippy-pop, cosmic cumbia and dance floor electronics.
Featuring a mix of known producers like Akio Nagase (Especial), Mori Ra (Macadam Mambo / Hivern Discs) and Ground (ESP Institute), with the soon in-demand Akira Arasawa, as well as the new wave pop of Killy, the Balearic anthems of Hutte Sound System and more, Enjoy Your Self is just that, an uplifting view of a label forging its own path.
EP1 starts with possibly the most dance-friendly track of the whole series, Arasawa showing his Trance background with a driving psychedelic meets discoid bang. O.R. follows with laidback breaks of the aptly titled Hammock Beats, before label head Ground teams up with Synth Sisters (EM Records) member MAYUKo for a 100bpm mid-tempo bongo-laden, trippy-chugger that is highly representative of the Chillmountain sound. To finish the first EP, Hutte Sound System (aka Absolute Time and Ground) present a perfect downtempo, Balearic closing that encapsulates a snapshot of the label. More
Emotional Especial comes together with Future Nuggets for a "Special" one-off collaboration. Reinterpreting the music of Steaua de Mare are four remixes from rising (Eastern) stars Khidja and Mehmet Aslan. The first in a short series of Especial "Specials" - where new artists are brought together for unique releases - we start by teaming up with Future Nuggets to present again the sonic offshoot in the unique band, Steaua de Mare. Returning in remix form, songs from their self-titled album, as well as extra additions, are specially reworked. First Khidja take album track Babadag to new psychedelic depths, adding multiple layers of guitar and synths, all inexhaustibly dubbed and re-dubbed until a whole new track emerges for the more discerning minds. Next Mehmet Aslan is focused on the dance-floor, carefully reconstructing new track Shop into a club orientated groove, aiming straight at the feet with inevitable results. On the flip, Mehmet then reworks album highlight, Doamne ce greseala am, amassing tension in careful, subtle ways, crafting a version that is a proper meeting of hearts and minds. To finish, Khidja return to remix the previously unreleased 1 Septembrie. Going to great lengths in managing a myriad of details, with balearic, kraut, pseudo-disco and exotica reverberations all pulsating, here then are on point examples of remix manipulation. A perfect way to start this series and showcase these wonderful artists.
More
1
jaakko eino kalevi - "No End" (Tom Noble Never-Ending Story remix)
2
jaakko eino kalevi - "Memories" (Heatstick Continental Drift remix)
3
jaakko eino kalevi - "When You Walk Through Them All" (Peaking Lights remix)
4
jaakko eino kalevi - "No End" (Vezurro remix)"
The limited Especial Specials continues with 4 remixes of Jaakko Eino Kalevi's Dreamzone EP. Featuring a heavy weight line up of Tom Noble, Heatsick, Peaking Lights and Vezurro, this is an all-bases-covered masterclass is taking Jaakko's pop leanings and giving them some boogie, dub and Italo sparkle. Hot on the heels of the Steaua de Mare Remixes comes 4 retakes of Jaakko Eino Kalevi's idiosyncratic pop stylings. Licensed from Weird World Records, this sees the multi-instrumentalist's original Dreamzone EP handed over for readjustment. The up, up boogie vibes of Tom Noble's calling card create his best remix to take. No Fun maybe Jaakko's 'ladies' love hymn, but with Tom's distinctive "never ending" bass and hats loops moving hips, a keys solo and vocal interplay ensure sublime perfection. Next Steven Warwick's superb Heatsick project implants his twisted casio-rawness in to Jaakko's world, marrying Memories ghostly vocals into a mix of afro-clipped beats and lo-fi melody that just fits. So happy to finally welcome in friends, family and inspiration, Peaking Lights in to the family. Aaron and Indra's uplifting dub love comes alive in this remix, with live bass grooves, vibing keys and Jaakko's unique vocal riding-a-riddim' all night long. To close up and coming Vezurro return to No Fun, providing an Italo love ode that can only move hearts into a true Rimini '84 summer affair. "Can't you see that I'm dancing?"
More