• Music

    Various Artists – Alex from Tokyo presents Japan Vibrations Vol.1

    February 5, 2024 - By 

    From the World Famous Records Bandcamp Site: “Dive into the exhilarating era of Japan’s electronic dance music scene from the mid ’80s to the mid ’90s with Japan Vibrations Vol. 1. The hand-picked collection by DJ and musical storyteller Alex from Tokyopays homage to the trailblazers and innovators who shaped the landscape. […] Experience the vibrations of pioneers Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yasuaki Shimizu. Of culture-shaping forces Hiroshi Fujiwara, Kan Takagi, Susumu Yokota, Silent Poets, Mondo Grosso and Kyoto Jazz Massive. And of new-generation artists CMJK (C.T. Scan), Mind Design, Okihide, and Hiroshi Watanabe. The evolution of a scene,…

  • Music

    Earthtones & Etsegenet Mekonnen – Selam

    November 20, 2023 - By 

    This is a rather glorious single pairing American DJ Earthtones with Ethiopian singer Etsegenet Mekonnen.  From the release’s Bandcamp site: “Selam is a vision of peace. This collaboration between producer/DJ Earthtones and Ethiopian musician/vocalist Etsegenet Mekonnen features haunting vocals sung in Amharic. Analog & semi-modular synths combine with 909 drums and afrobeats percussion by Earthtones, to weave grooves for Etsegenet’s depth in songwriting, voice and soul. The main version has a dancehall bassline that calls one to movement, while the dub versions evoke mystery amidst long modulated leads + filtered pads.”

  • Music

    Various Artists – Gl​ü​cklich VI – Compiled by Rainer Tr​ü​by

    July 14, 2023 - By 

    From his days as a member of the seminal A Forest Mighty Black to collaborations with the who’s who of downtempo music (think Kruder & Dorfmeister, Jazzanova and so many others, Rainer Tr​ü​by has been of Trip-Hop’s finest tastemakers.  We can celebrate today that after 20 years, there is a new installment, courtesy of the legends at Compost Records, of the Gl​ü​cklich series.  This one features a lot of latin-tinged marvels that will make you want to explore both Rainer’s back catalogue and Compost Records‘ release schedule much more deeply.

  • Music

    Sinners Club and Groove Paradise – CHROMESOUL

    May 18, 2023 - By 

    I have to admit ignorance to what is known as barber beats, a sub-genre of Vaporwave, but if Sinners Club and Groove Paradise out of Spain are an example of what can be done with the genre, I quite like it.  The beats are infinitely more sophisticated than what you hear on most vaporwave releases (why most of these are given away for free), and the bass-heavy sound and relaxed groove makes for a chilled-out listening experience.

  • Music

    Alister Fawnwoda – Night Bunny (feat. Suzanne Ciani) – [Carla Azar Reconstruction]

    May 4, 2023 - By 

    I’m new to the music of Alister Fawnwoda, but not to Suzanne Ciani, whose work is immeasurably important.  The thought of hearing these two collaborate was pretty intriguing, and the wait to hear this track was indeed rewarding. The track clocks in at just under 5 minutes, and is a gently sloping listen.  Adding to this particular recording is that it is reworked by Carla Azar of Autolux and Jack White’s backing band fame. After going through other tracks of Alister’s work, I have to say he’s earned a new fan.  His blending of ambient music, Americana and even a…

  • Music

    Groove Paradise – 欲望

    April 27, 2023 - By 

    I have to say that I know next to nothing about vaporwave and the history of the scene.  Most of what I’ve heard is, to put it mildly, awful.  However, Groove Paradise, a Spanish artist, left me with a more positive view of the genre.  The music sounds like something you would hear on 1980’s mainstream radio, with AOR, funk and soul influences, only underwater.  I was a teenager during the 80’s, so hearing the music left me with a very pleasant sense of nostalgia.  If this is truly representative of vaporwave, then then album is done well.

  • Music

    Akshin Alizadeh – Reasons

    April 23, 2023 - By 

    We have here a slab of R&B and modern soul courtesy of Akshin Alizadeh, the wunderkind originally from Azerbaijan who records for Cold Busted Records out of Oregon.  It’s strangely radio-friendly, but the funk is pleasant on this single

  • Music

    MOREGO – Fascination

    April 5, 2023 - By 

    Despite being in a very tough neighborhood, Iran’s new music scene is as healthy as ever, and thanks to Bandcamp, Soundcloud and social media in general, the wider world is finding out about what kind of talent is residing in the country.  Take our friend MOREGO, who produce an IDM-inflected psybient music.  There are gentle beats, floating interludes, and the album maintains a cinematic atmosphere throughout.  Great to chill out to.

  • Music

    Inkswel & Colonel Red – Holders Of The Sun, Vol. 1

    September 23, 2022 - By 

    Inkswel & Colonel Red hail from Australia and the United Kingdom respectively, but have been writing music together for over 10 years.  They blend a pretty heady mix of funk, soul, hip-hop and a touch of acid jazz in their stew, and the tracks on this upcoming dish are both enjoyable listening to deep music fans and those looking for more radio-friendly pop hooks.  The track Save Ya Self is the jewel of the album, being a timeless percussion-heavy dance track that would get people moving no matter the year. For those of you who need an introduction to both…