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1
Jacob Ohrberg - Choreosexual
2
Jacob Ohrberg - No Respite
12"
GENRE:
Deep House
TRACKLISTS:
1. Choreosexual
2. No Respite
SHORT INFO:
The seventh excursion on our beloved Vessel and the joyful return of Jacob Ohrberg. Two lengthy deep tracks.
More
GENRE:
Deep House
TRACKLISTS:
1. Choreosexual
2. No Respite
SHORT INFO:
The seventh excursion on our beloved Vessel and the joyful return of Jacob Ohrberg. Two lengthy deep tracks.
More
2LP Maroon - both in Super-heavyweight gatefold jacket, and printed inner sleeves
In their first bout of new music since 2022’s critically celebrated Mondays at Enfield Tennis Academy, Jeff Parker and his ETA IVtet find themselves exploring the depths of improvised jazz grooves on The Way Out of Easy.
Tracklist
1.1Freakadelic
1.2Late Autumn
2.1Easy Way Out
2.2Chrome Dome
Listen: https://listen.k7.com/3b02e2f5-05af-484c-8bbe-5645f87763dc More
In their first bout of new music since 2022’s critically celebrated Mondays at Enfield Tennis Academy, Jeff Parker and his ETA IVtet find themselves exploring the depths of improvised jazz grooves on The Way Out of Easy.
Tracklist
1.1Freakadelic
1.2Late Autumn
2.1Easy Way Out
2.2Chrome Dome
Listen: https://listen.k7.com/3b02e2f5-05af-484c-8bbe-5645f87763dc More
1
Sébastien Tellier - La Ritournelle
2
Sébastien Tellier - La Ritournelle (Mr Dan's Magic Wand Mix)
3
Sébastien Tellier - La Ritournelle (Gilligan Moss Mix)
4
Sébastien Tellier - La Ritournelle (Tony Allen Bonus Beat)
(MR DAN'S MAGIC WAND, GILLIGAN MOSS MIX, TONY ALLEN BONUS BEAT, PLUS ORIGINAL) REPRESS OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE AND REMASTER OF 'LA RITOURNELLE' ALONGSIDE ITS TWO MOST SUCCESSFUL REMIXES AND TONY ALLEN'S ISOLATED DRUM TRACK FROM THE ORIGINAL SONG.
Tracklist
A1. La Ritournelle
A2. La Ritournelle (Mr Dan's Magic Wand Mix)
B1. La Ritournelle (Gilligan Moss Mix)
B2. La Ritournelle (Tony Allen Bonus Beat)
La Ritournelle is undoubtedly Sebastien Tellier's biggest song. Since its first release in 2003, it kept growing and circulating throughout the world year after year like a virus. Considered by many as the ultimate love anthem of the 21st century, the song has now infected numerous hearts and lovers, and gained a classic status.
The song is made of 7 epic minutes of a sensual and mesmerizing piano hook, with the late afro-beat maestro Tony Allen on drums, lush romantic strings, Philippe Zdar on the mix, and a heartbreaking lyric at the center of the song that goes: Oh nothing's going to change my love for you / I wanna spend my life with you So we make love on the grass under the moon / No one call tell, damned if I do Forever journey on golden avenues / I drift in your eyes since I love you I got that beat in my veins for only rule / Love is to share, mine is for you Since the release, we have received countless love messages.
One from a famous DJ who told us he heard the tune while driving on the freeway and had to stop on the side of the road, in tears. Many couples have asked whether Tellier would perform "La Ritournelle" at their wedding ceremony. It was sampled by The Weeknd for the song on "Kiss Land" (2013) and used in several long feature films. "La Ritournelle": often been copied and covered, but rarely equaled.
For the first time, Record Makers is releasing the song with its most successful remixes on one EP, and a special gift in memory of his genius: Tony Allen's bonus beat, the original drum track, a must have for DJs. Also included: Gilligan Moss' mix, an atmospheric remix and a streaming hit, and Mr Dan's Magic Wand mix, the chorus/verse version of "La Ritournelle", basically Unfinished Sympathy pt. II, according to the NME.
“Epic, gorgeous dance track we can't, can't, can't stop playing” - The Sunday Times
“A big balearic goosebump of stirrings, rolling pianos and funky drumming, No with this odd male vocal that heightens its strange psychedelic vulnerability. („) One day, Frenchman Sébastien Tellier's slow-burning club anthem "La Ritournelle" will be huge. (...) Basically, we're talking "unfinished Sympathy pt. II"." - NME (2005)
More
Tracklist
A1. La Ritournelle
A2. La Ritournelle (Mr Dan's Magic Wand Mix)
B1. La Ritournelle (Gilligan Moss Mix)
B2. La Ritournelle (Tony Allen Bonus Beat)
La Ritournelle is undoubtedly Sebastien Tellier's biggest song. Since its first release in 2003, it kept growing and circulating throughout the world year after year like a virus. Considered by many as the ultimate love anthem of the 21st century, the song has now infected numerous hearts and lovers, and gained a classic status.
The song is made of 7 epic minutes of a sensual and mesmerizing piano hook, with the late afro-beat maestro Tony Allen on drums, lush romantic strings, Philippe Zdar on the mix, and a heartbreaking lyric at the center of the song that goes: Oh nothing's going to change my love for you / I wanna spend my life with you So we make love on the grass under the moon / No one call tell, damned if I do Forever journey on golden avenues / I drift in your eyes since I love you I got that beat in my veins for only rule / Love is to share, mine is for you Since the release, we have received countless love messages.
One from a famous DJ who told us he heard the tune while driving on the freeway and had to stop on the side of the road, in tears. Many couples have asked whether Tellier would perform "La Ritournelle" at their wedding ceremony. It was sampled by The Weeknd for the song on "Kiss Land" (2013) and used in several long feature films. "La Ritournelle": often been copied and covered, but rarely equaled.
For the first time, Record Makers is releasing the song with its most successful remixes on one EP, and a special gift in memory of his genius: Tony Allen's bonus beat, the original drum track, a must have for DJs. Also included: Gilligan Moss' mix, an atmospheric remix and a streaming hit, and Mr Dan's Magic Wand mix, the chorus/verse version of "La Ritournelle", basically Unfinished Sympathy pt. II, according to the NME.
“Epic, gorgeous dance track we can't, can't, can't stop playing” - The Sunday Times
“A big balearic goosebump of stirrings, rolling pianos and funky drumming, No with this odd male vocal that heightens its strange psychedelic vulnerability. („) One day, Frenchman Sébastien Tellier's slow-burning club anthem "La Ritournelle" will be huge. (...) Basically, we're talking "unfinished Sympathy pt. II"." - NME (2005)
More
1
Obstructor - Taboo
2
Obstructor - Meursault
3
Obstructor - Delirium
4
Obstructor - Letting Loose
Tracklisting
A1 Obstructor - Taboo
A2 Obstructor - Meursault
B1 Obstructor - Delirium
B2 Obstructor - Letting Loose
Sales Note
Clever sonics, elegant chords, and dazzling color painted in broad strokes on Obstructor's Taboo. More
A1 Obstructor - Taboo
A2 Obstructor - Meursault
B1 Obstructor - Delirium
B2 Obstructor - Letting Loose
Sales Note
Clever sonics, elegant chords, and dazzling color painted in broad strokes on Obstructor's Taboo. More
1
Wally Badarou - Dance In The Dust
2
Wally Badarou - Amber Whispers
3
Wally Badarou - Where Were We
4
Wally Badarou - The Lights Of Kinshasa
5
Wally Badarou - Pictures Of You
6
Wally Badarou - Serendipity For Two
7
Wally Badarou - Smiles By The Millions
8
Wally Badarou - Higher Still
9
Wally Badarou - Oriental
10
Wally Badarou - Days To Wonder
11
Wally Badarou - Dawn Of Europa
12
Wally Badarou - Crystal Falls
13
Wally Badarou - Purple Lines
Territories: Worldwide no restrictions
Format Notes: First time vinyl release, 140g vinyl
Track List:
A1 Dance In The Dust
A2 Amber Whispers
A3 Where Were We
A4 The Lights Of Kinshasa
A5 Pictures Of You
----
B1 Serendipity For Two
B2 Smiles By The Millions
B3 Higher Still
B4 Oriental
B5 Days To Wonder
B6 Dawn Of Europa
B7 Crystal Falls
B8 Purple Lines
Release Notes:
Synth pioneer and musical polymath, Wally Badarou is a genius. But you know that already. A vinyl version of his majestic Colors Of Silence has been craved by the Balearic cognoscenti ever since its low-key 2001 release. Indeed, when we first started work on Be With, we asked some pals with exquisite taste what their dream release would be. We asked Balearic legend Moonboots and, without hesitation, he said Colors Of Silence by Wally Badarou. We didn't know Wally had made this album. And most still don't. But that's about to change.
Colors Of Silence is ostensibly a new age album. As ever though, Wally's sophisticated synth textures and expressive keyboard runs are so full of character, so full of life, that this work of art transcends any easy genre categorisation. It's simply stunning, throughout. It sounds like A.r.t. Wilson or Suzanne Kraft, with traces of CFCF and Jonny Nash. But it was made a good decade earlier than the work of these modern giants. Sometimes, it doesn't seem far from some Larry Heard albums.
Island Records founder Chris Blackwell's friend Nathalie Delon asked Wally to provide music for the yoga DVD she was to release. Lack of time on both sides made them agree on using "quality demos" Wally had in his ideas bank. It's understandable why Colors Of Silence remains somewhat of a lost gem. As Wally explains: "Total lack of promotion made it an 'intimate' release, which was exactly what I was looking for: just a buzz-maker and time-buyer that would allow me to concentrate on the real thing as soon as I'd have time, which could also turn into a rare collecting item later, once the final versions made their way to success. You never know."
Over the years, Colors Of Silence has become a true cult record for the ambient/Balearic heads.
The beguiling but brief "Dance In The Dust" is the shuffling, hyper-percussive, hypnotic opener. It gives way to the deep serenity of "Amber Whispers". It's a gliding, divine, mini melodic masterpiece. It'll make you swoon in its extreme beauty. The bright and breezy "Where Were We" follows, a tropical, reggae-tinged bounce through the islands.
The uptempo groove is maintained on the keys-drizzled soca-funk of "The Lights Of Kinshasa" before Side A is rounded out with "Pictures Of You". It starts with stately, melancholic, unadorned piano and this alone would make for a beautiful song. But Wally always gives us that bit extra and he effortlessly introduces warm, dreamy pads and minimal, slo-mo percussion to augment a frankly stunning piece of work.
Ushering in Side B, Wally's mesmeric piano playing is to the fore again, in the intro to uber-chilled "Serendipity For Two". The playing becomes more mellifluous as the track progresses and adds warmth through exotic percussion, woodwind, sweeping synths and digi-drums. It has echoes of, er, Echoes. It segues seamlessly into the more propulsive, wavy "Smiles By The Millions". If you're not nodding and grinning along widely to the gently throbbing bassline underpinning this, we can't help you. The meditative "Higher Still" follows, cinematic in feel and ever so slightly sinister with the strings. It sounds particularly Badalamenti-esque, if you ask us.
That unmistakable, almost peculiar Badarou funk - so lyrical, so texturally rich and so rhythmically spacious - is all over "Oriental". Next up, "Days To Wonder" brings the serenity back, insistent yet melodic keys, as if played in a place of worship, coupled with birdsong, conjure a kind of instant nostalgia for halcyon days of youth. The contemplative "Dawn Of Europa" is a sombre, beatless, ambient journey whilst the glorious, too-brief "Crystal Falls" features soft percussion and sparkle before fully glistening with some gentle head-nod beats. Wally brings this incredible collection to a mellow, tender close with the graceful "Purple Lines".
There can be few artists more under-appreciated given their vast influence than Wally Badarou. His solo work practically defined the sound of the Balearic DJs of the 1980s, and thus the more sophisticated sound of dance culture thereafter. A synth specialist, Badarou was the long-time associate of Level 42. He was one of the Compass Point All Stars (with Sly and Robbie, Barry Reynolds, Mikey Chung and Uziah "Sticky" Thompson), the in-house recording team of Compass Point Studios responsible for a series of albums in the 1980s recorded by Grace Jones, Tom Tom Club, Mick Jagger, Black Uhuru, Gwen Guthrie, Jimmy Cliff and Gregory Isaacs. Badarou's keyboard playing could also be heard on albums by Robert Palmer, Marianne Faithfull, Herbie Hancock, M (Pop Muzik), Talking Heads, Manu Dibango and Miriam Makeba. He also produced Fela Kuti. Phew!
Meticulously remastered and cut by both Simon Francis and Cicely Balston respectively, it has been pressed to the highest possibly quality at Record Industry in Holland. Special thanks must go to Apiento from Test Pressing who first introduced us to Wally and facilitated all those early zoom meetings. It couldn't have happened without his help. Not least on pulling the art together, too, which features striking original photography by Mads Perch. Benji Roebuck of Roebuck Press did his thing brilliantly in art working the whole package to completion. All in all: essential. More
Format Notes: First time vinyl release, 140g vinyl
Track List:
A1 Dance In The Dust
A2 Amber Whispers
A3 Where Were We
A4 The Lights Of Kinshasa
A5 Pictures Of You
----
B1 Serendipity For Two
B2 Smiles By The Millions
B3 Higher Still
B4 Oriental
B5 Days To Wonder
B6 Dawn Of Europa
B7 Crystal Falls
B8 Purple Lines
Release Notes:
Synth pioneer and musical polymath, Wally Badarou is a genius. But you know that already. A vinyl version of his majestic Colors Of Silence has been craved by the Balearic cognoscenti ever since its low-key 2001 release. Indeed, when we first started work on Be With, we asked some pals with exquisite taste what their dream release would be. We asked Balearic legend Moonboots and, without hesitation, he said Colors Of Silence by Wally Badarou. We didn't know Wally had made this album. And most still don't. But that's about to change.
Colors Of Silence is ostensibly a new age album. As ever though, Wally's sophisticated synth textures and expressive keyboard runs are so full of character, so full of life, that this work of art transcends any easy genre categorisation. It's simply stunning, throughout. It sounds like A.r.t. Wilson or Suzanne Kraft, with traces of CFCF and Jonny Nash. But it was made a good decade earlier than the work of these modern giants. Sometimes, it doesn't seem far from some Larry Heard albums.
Island Records founder Chris Blackwell's friend Nathalie Delon asked Wally to provide music for the yoga DVD she was to release. Lack of time on both sides made them agree on using "quality demos" Wally had in his ideas bank. It's understandable why Colors Of Silence remains somewhat of a lost gem. As Wally explains: "Total lack of promotion made it an 'intimate' release, which was exactly what I was looking for: just a buzz-maker and time-buyer that would allow me to concentrate on the real thing as soon as I'd have time, which could also turn into a rare collecting item later, once the final versions made their way to success. You never know."
Over the years, Colors Of Silence has become a true cult record for the ambient/Balearic heads.
The beguiling but brief "Dance In The Dust" is the shuffling, hyper-percussive, hypnotic opener. It gives way to the deep serenity of "Amber Whispers". It's a gliding, divine, mini melodic masterpiece. It'll make you swoon in its extreme beauty. The bright and breezy "Where Were We" follows, a tropical, reggae-tinged bounce through the islands.
The uptempo groove is maintained on the keys-drizzled soca-funk of "The Lights Of Kinshasa" before Side A is rounded out with "Pictures Of You". It starts with stately, melancholic, unadorned piano and this alone would make for a beautiful song. But Wally always gives us that bit extra and he effortlessly introduces warm, dreamy pads and minimal, slo-mo percussion to augment a frankly stunning piece of work.
Ushering in Side B, Wally's mesmeric piano playing is to the fore again, in the intro to uber-chilled "Serendipity For Two". The playing becomes more mellifluous as the track progresses and adds warmth through exotic percussion, woodwind, sweeping synths and digi-drums. It has echoes of, er, Echoes. It segues seamlessly into the more propulsive, wavy "Smiles By The Millions". If you're not nodding and grinning along widely to the gently throbbing bassline underpinning this, we can't help you. The meditative "Higher Still" follows, cinematic in feel and ever so slightly sinister with the strings. It sounds particularly Badalamenti-esque, if you ask us.
That unmistakable, almost peculiar Badarou funk - so lyrical, so texturally rich and so rhythmically spacious - is all over "Oriental". Next up, "Days To Wonder" brings the serenity back, insistent yet melodic keys, as if played in a place of worship, coupled with birdsong, conjure a kind of instant nostalgia for halcyon days of youth. The contemplative "Dawn Of Europa" is a sombre, beatless, ambient journey whilst the glorious, too-brief "Crystal Falls" features soft percussion and sparkle before fully glistening with some gentle head-nod beats. Wally brings this incredible collection to a mellow, tender close with the graceful "Purple Lines".
There can be few artists more under-appreciated given their vast influence than Wally Badarou. His solo work practically defined the sound of the Balearic DJs of the 1980s, and thus the more sophisticated sound of dance culture thereafter. A synth specialist, Badarou was the long-time associate of Level 42. He was one of the Compass Point All Stars (with Sly and Robbie, Barry Reynolds, Mikey Chung and Uziah "Sticky" Thompson), the in-house recording team of Compass Point Studios responsible for a series of albums in the 1980s recorded by Grace Jones, Tom Tom Club, Mick Jagger, Black Uhuru, Gwen Guthrie, Jimmy Cliff and Gregory Isaacs. Badarou's keyboard playing could also be heard on albums by Robert Palmer, Marianne Faithfull, Herbie Hancock, M (Pop Muzik), Talking Heads, Manu Dibango and Miriam Makeba. He also produced Fela Kuti. Phew!
Meticulously remastered and cut by both Simon Francis and Cicely Balston respectively, it has been pressed to the highest possibly quality at Record Industry in Holland. Special thanks must go to Apiento from Test Pressing who first introduced us to Wally and facilitated all those early zoom meetings. It couldn't have happened without his help. Not least on pulling the art together, too, which features striking original photography by Mads Perch. Benji Roebuck of Roebuck Press did his thing brilliantly in art working the whole package to completion. All in all: essential. More
1
Lego Edit & Scruscru - Jazzy Touch (Lego Re-edit)
2
Lego Edit & Scruscru - Slow Dat Tempo (Scruscru feat. S. Timoshenko)
New smooth edition of the Jazzfloor Edits series, this time on 7". A pleasure for your ears!
More
1
V.A. - Pete Blaker
2
V.A. - Correlations
3
V.A. - Dr. Dunks
4
V.A. - A.M.
5
V.A. - Pete Blaker (Digital Bonus)
12" incl dl code containing the four vinyl tracks as well as the digital bonus track.
GENRE/S: (Nu)Disco
TRACKLIST:
A1. Pete Blaker
A2. Correlations
B1. Dr. Dunks
B2. A.M.
Digital Bonus - Pete Blaker
SHORT INFO:
After a long time XXX the label returns with the third and final part of their edit series.
More
GENRE/S: (Nu)Disco
TRACKLIST:
A1. Pete Blaker
A2. Correlations
B1. Dr. Dunks
B2. A.M.
Digital Bonus - Pete Blaker
SHORT INFO:
After a long time XXX the label returns with the third and final part of their edit series.
More
1
Marcio M. - Cyclone Modulator
2
Unnamed - Dehors C'est Chaud
3
Bad Boy Pete - Am A Funk Soul Brother
4
Bad Boy Pete & SamDFL - Purge
Tracklisting
E1 Marcio M. - Cyclone Modulator
E2 Unnamed - Dehors C'est Chaud
K1 Bad Boy Pete - Am A Funk Soul Brother
K2 Bad Boy Pete & SamDFL - Purge More
E1 Marcio M. - Cyclone Modulator
E2 Unnamed - Dehors C'est Chaud
K1 Bad Boy Pete - Am A Funk Soul Brother
K2 Bad Boy Pete & SamDFL - Purge More
1
Jun Sato - Lorang
2
Fumihiro Murakami - Miko
3
Tadahiko Yokogawa - Stop Me
4
Love Peace Trance - Yeelen
5
Ichiko Hashimoto - Lete
6
Yosui Inoue - Pi Po Pa
7
Eiki Nonaka - Phlanged Vortex Clip
8
X Cara - Night In Aracaju
9
Poison Girl Friend - Nobody
10
Dream Dolphin - Take No Michi
11
Keisuke Sakurai - Harai Cd Version
12
Hiroki Ishiguro - Unity
13
Dido Shizuru Ohtaka Michiaki Kato - Mermaid
14
Keisuke Kikuchi - Retro Electric
Repress!
Music From Memory is excited to announce a special compilation that they’ve been working on for some time now; MFM053 – VA – Heisei No Oto – Japanese Left-field Pop From The CD Age (1989-1996). Compiled by long-time friends of the label, Eiji Taniguchi and Norio Sato, Heisei No Oto delves into a world of music released almost exclusively on CD and brings together a fascinating selection of discoveries from a little known and overlooked part of Japan’s musical history.
The last ten or so years have seen a global wave of interest in Japanese music encompassing ambient, jazz, new wave and pop records from the 1980s, some of which is increasingly considered the most innovative and visionary music of that time. Although some music from this period, in the form of ‘City Pop’ or ‘rare groove’ records, had been coveted by collectors and DJs for a number of years, most Japanese music from the time was little known outside and often even within Japan.
Sometime around the mid 2000s, two Osaka record store owners, Eiji Taniguchi of Revelation Time and Norio Sato of Rare Groove, along with a handful of deep Japanese diggers such as Chee Shimizu of Organic Music records in Tokyo, began to explore beyond the typical ‘grooves’ or ‘breaks’. Much like their counterparts in Europe and the US, they began delving into home-grown ambient, jazz, new wave and pop records, discovering visionary music, often driven by synthesizers or drum computers, that broke beyond the typical confines of their genres.
Spending tireless hours in local record stores and embarking on digging trips across the country, Eiji Taniguchi and Norio Sato, much like Chee Shimizu, have been at the forefront of unearthing and introducing many of the very Japanese records now loved and sought after around the world. Yet as YouTube algorithms and vinyl reissues would transport such music into the global consciousness and demand and therefore scarcity intensified for such records, so Eiji and Norio have recently begun to turn their attention to CDs.
The title of the compilation Heisei No Oto refers to the sound of the Heisei era, which began in 1989 and corresponds to the reign of Emperor Akihito until his abdication in 2019. Marking the culmination of one of the most rapid economic growths in Japanese history, 1989 also coincided with the music industry’s final shift away from vinyl in favour of CDs. And, although compact discs were first introduced seven years earlier it wasn’t until late into the ‘80s that, beyond dance music labels, CDs became the exclusive format for major and independent labels in Japan and throughout the world.
This however didn’t signal the end of the innovation in Japan. Many of those same musicians who have become known for their work in the ‘80s would continue to produce outstanding music well into the mid ‘90s, as greater innovation and advances in musical equipment allowed Japanese musicians and producers to refine and explore new sounds. While musicians such as the seminal Haruomi Hosono, whose productions feature on a number of tracks, would continue to push the boundaries of these new technologies, these technological advances also meant less established musicians were able to make use of increasingly affordable but state-of-the-art equipment.
Including music by Haruomi Hosono as well as Yasuaki Shimizu, Toshifumi Hinata and Ichiko Hashimoto who have become known and loved around the world in recent years, Hesei No Oto also features Japanese pop star Yosui Inoue, producers Jun Sato and Keisuke Kikuchi in aaddition to less established artists from the contemporary, jazz, new wave, pop and dance music scenes. Bringing together a selection of tracks that seem to define these specific genres and in fact move fluidly between a number of them, the music on the compilation is again underscored by experimentations with synthesizers and drum computers though with something of a gentle Pop sensibility. Reimagined here then under the encompassing term ‘Left-field Pop’, this is an exciting chapter in Japanese musical history that has only just begun to be fully explored.
VA - Heisei No Oto - Japanese Left-field Pop From The CD Age (1989-1996) is a 2xLP/2xCD that includes liner notes by Chee Shimizu and artwork by Hagihara Takuya and is released on February 28th. More
Music From Memory is excited to announce a special compilation that they’ve been working on for some time now; MFM053 – VA – Heisei No Oto – Japanese Left-field Pop From The CD Age (1989-1996). Compiled by long-time friends of the label, Eiji Taniguchi and Norio Sato, Heisei No Oto delves into a world of music released almost exclusively on CD and brings together a fascinating selection of discoveries from a little known and overlooked part of Japan’s musical history.
The last ten or so years have seen a global wave of interest in Japanese music encompassing ambient, jazz, new wave and pop records from the 1980s, some of which is increasingly considered the most innovative and visionary music of that time. Although some music from this period, in the form of ‘City Pop’ or ‘rare groove’ records, had been coveted by collectors and DJs for a number of years, most Japanese music from the time was little known outside and often even within Japan.
Sometime around the mid 2000s, two Osaka record store owners, Eiji Taniguchi of Revelation Time and Norio Sato of Rare Groove, along with a handful of deep Japanese diggers such as Chee Shimizu of Organic Music records in Tokyo, began to explore beyond the typical ‘grooves’ or ‘breaks’. Much like their counterparts in Europe and the US, they began delving into home-grown ambient, jazz, new wave and pop records, discovering visionary music, often driven by synthesizers or drum computers, that broke beyond the typical confines of their genres.
Spending tireless hours in local record stores and embarking on digging trips across the country, Eiji Taniguchi and Norio Sato, much like Chee Shimizu, have been at the forefront of unearthing and introducing many of the very Japanese records now loved and sought after around the world. Yet as YouTube algorithms and vinyl reissues would transport such music into the global consciousness and demand and therefore scarcity intensified for such records, so Eiji and Norio have recently begun to turn their attention to CDs.
The title of the compilation Heisei No Oto refers to the sound of the Heisei era, which began in 1989 and corresponds to the reign of Emperor Akihito until his abdication in 2019. Marking the culmination of one of the most rapid economic growths in Japanese history, 1989 also coincided with the music industry’s final shift away from vinyl in favour of CDs. And, although compact discs were first introduced seven years earlier it wasn’t until late into the ‘80s that, beyond dance music labels, CDs became the exclusive format for major and independent labels in Japan and throughout the world.
This however didn’t signal the end of the innovation in Japan. Many of those same musicians who have become known for their work in the ‘80s would continue to produce outstanding music well into the mid ‘90s, as greater innovation and advances in musical equipment allowed Japanese musicians and producers to refine and explore new sounds. While musicians such as the seminal Haruomi Hosono, whose productions feature on a number of tracks, would continue to push the boundaries of these new technologies, these technological advances also meant less established musicians were able to make use of increasingly affordable but state-of-the-art equipment.
Including music by Haruomi Hosono as well as Yasuaki Shimizu, Toshifumi Hinata and Ichiko Hashimoto who have become known and loved around the world in recent years, Hesei No Oto also features Japanese pop star Yosui Inoue, producers Jun Sato and Keisuke Kikuchi in aaddition to less established artists from the contemporary, jazz, new wave, pop and dance music scenes. Bringing together a selection of tracks that seem to define these specific genres and in fact move fluidly between a number of them, the music on the compilation is again underscored by experimentations with synthesizers and drum computers though with something of a gentle Pop sensibility. Reimagined here then under the encompassing term ‘Left-field Pop’, this is an exciting chapter in Japanese musical history that has only just begun to be fully explored.
VA - Heisei No Oto - Japanese Left-field Pop From The CD Age (1989-1996) is a 2xLP/2xCD that includes liner notes by Chee Shimizu and artwork by Hagihara Takuya and is released on February 28th. More
1
Admin - A Three Eight Four
2
Admin - B Ionosphere
No Return / Vinyl Only!
Admin's 'Mystical Circles 02' delivers two vibrant tracks that embody the essence of dancefloor-ready disco and funk. On Side-1, 'Three Eight Four' kicks off with infectious tribal drum fills and funky bass licks, accentuated by a commanding saxophone that invites listeners to groove. Its lively energy makes it a standout choice for any party. Flipping to Side 2, 'Ionosphere' continues the momentum with wicked bass notes and a stunning groove, complemented by powerful horn arrangements that elevate the track's dynamic feel. This release perfectly blends disco house with jazz funk elements, making it an essential addition to any DJ's set. Mystical Circles 02 is a celebration of sound that is sure to get everyone on their feet. More
Admin's 'Mystical Circles 02' delivers two vibrant tracks that embody the essence of dancefloor-ready disco and funk. On Side-1, 'Three Eight Four' kicks off with infectious tribal drum fills and funky bass licks, accentuated by a commanding saxophone that invites listeners to groove. Its lively energy makes it a standout choice for any party. Flipping to Side 2, 'Ionosphere' continues the momentum with wicked bass notes and a stunning groove, complemented by powerful horn arrangements that elevate the track's dynamic feel. This release perfectly blends disco house with jazz funk elements, making it an essential addition to any DJ's set. Mystical Circles 02 is a celebration of sound that is sure to get everyone on their feet. More
1
Da Lukas & Massimiliano Troiani - Bad Duna
2
Da Lukas & Massimiliano Troiani - Afro Panda
Legofunk 12" series is back in action with this fantastic 2 tracks Ep from Da Lukas & Massimiliano Troiani.
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Aristidez - Gastonia Dub
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Aristidez - Spiritual Playboy
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Aristidez - Mendoza's Flight
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Aristidez - Kaleisthenics
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Aristidez - Origin
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Aristidez - Make Flutes With My Bones
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Aristidez - Amniotico
DJ Support: DJ Sabo, Gordon Invisible Inc, Ground Chill Mountain, Roe Deers, Thomas Von Party, Vidis
Multi Culti serve up a full-length treat from Peruvian artist Aristidez. Cofounder of Lima-based party collective Casa Locasa and the non-profit label Behua Icara (translated as Healing Rhythms), in support of indigenous culture, Aristidez has recently relocated to Berlin. With releases on Calypso, Disque-Discos, and Kebrada, as well as remixes for Amplio Espectro, Ida Sound, Discos Aquelarre, Rotten City Files, and Playground Records, Aristidez has quietly made a name for himself with a growing catalog of low-key dance tracks that have been championed by the likes of Matias Aguayo, Andrew Weatherall (RIP), and Inigo Vontier, to name a few. With an emphasis on the hypnotic power of rhythm, Aristidez channels indigenous influences in subtle fashion, alluding to visionary experience without resorting to pastiche or obvious tropes. There are freaky tribal rhythms but no shaman samples, just expertly produced tracks than reveal an expansive set of electronic influences that range across tempos and decades, from breaky 90s rave, 80s proto-trance, cult dub, downtempo and more. It’s listenable, danceable, heady and kaleidoscopic stuff that should stand the test of time. More
Multi Culti serve up a full-length treat from Peruvian artist Aristidez. Cofounder of Lima-based party collective Casa Locasa and the non-profit label Behua Icara (translated as Healing Rhythms), in support of indigenous culture, Aristidez has recently relocated to Berlin. With releases on Calypso, Disque-Discos, and Kebrada, as well as remixes for Amplio Espectro, Ida Sound, Discos Aquelarre, Rotten City Files, and Playground Records, Aristidez has quietly made a name for himself with a growing catalog of low-key dance tracks that have been championed by the likes of Matias Aguayo, Andrew Weatherall (RIP), and Inigo Vontier, to name a few. With an emphasis on the hypnotic power of rhythm, Aristidez channels indigenous influences in subtle fashion, alluding to visionary experience without resorting to pastiche or obvious tropes. There are freaky tribal rhythms but no shaman samples, just expertly produced tracks than reveal an expansive set of electronic influences that range across tempos and decades, from breaky 90s rave, 80s proto-trance, cult dub, downtempo and more. It’s listenable, danceable, heady and kaleidoscopic stuff that should stand the test of time. More