These recordings are a sample of a 2-disc CD which I am not sure is still available, but since the passing of Steve Albini recently, K.K. Null has done the world a service by publishing these two tracks from that vaunted release.
Tag: Japan
On October 11, 2024, a masterpiece will be released by our friends by Wewantsounds. We never doubt the impeccable quality of their releases, but as I am now the owner of a Rega turntable, I have more and more reason to eschew CDs and build up the vinyl collection. From the label’s press release:
“Wewantsounds is delighted to announce the release of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s classic LP “Coda”, issued in Japan in 1983 as a solo piano version of the “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” soundtrack. The album, which was never been released outside of Japan until now, sees Sakamoto on acoustic piano reinterpreting fascinating versions of his famous soundtrack including the classic theme and “Germination,” which was later used in the “Call Me By Your Name” soundtrack. This reissue has been remastered by Seigen Ono’sSaidera Mastering studio in Tokyo and boasts the original artwork plus a 4-page insert with new liner notes by Andy Beta.”
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Keiji Haino – Black Blues
I have to tip my hat in respect to Room 40 Records. The catalog is normally known for it’s shimmeringly gorgeous soundscapes and ambient music. This is, at least to my recollection, the first time I heard them delve into the weird, murky world of Keiji Haino. Slow, screamy, and not the sort of record you want to consume psychedelics to unless you like bad trips. Even so, it’s a stripped-down psych masterpiece.
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Morgan Fisher – Cracks In The Wall
Former Mott The Hoople member Morgan Fisher never stopped making great music. This is a recent release from August of this year intended to help fund Morgan Salon, his studio in Japan. It is, indeed, a worthy cause.
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Matryoshka – Laideronnette
Matryoshka are a band from Japan who play a nearly heartbreaking version of post-rock topped with gentle, almost drowned-out vocals. This adds to the character of the record. It’s one of the saddest albums I’ve heard in a while, but achingly so.
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Doltz – Koquu
This release by Doltz, a Japanese band released on the South Korean record label Huinali Recordings, came to me by sheer good fortune. The music is far more interesting than most ‘ambient’ or techno music these days namely due to it being played on what sounds like a combination of traditional instruments and some electronic processing, though if it is purely electronic, the band have done wonders with the sound.. The pulses are gentle, individual tones have a haunting quality, and this should pass muster with the hardest core aficionados of the genre. A stunningly good release.
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BLAK and MYY. – Void, along with me
Sad news to report. Yabe Tadashi of United Future Organization, one of the best nu-jazz bands of the last three decades, has passed away. This is one of his finest moments, collaborating with singer Monday Michiru. Memory eternal, Yabe-san.
HT: Rocco Pandiani
“The Last American Poet” Shane Beck collaborates with Japanese experimental composer mora-tau for an album of spoken-word-laden soundscapes.
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Paniyolo + Akio Watanabe – 家並み – Yanami
From the release’s Bandcamp site:
“A guitarist Paniyolo and a steelpan player Akio Watanabe are releasing a duo album “Yanami (The row of houses)”.
Based on the 11 sketches, they have painted a space kept in tranquil atmosphere with a guitar and a steelpan, each sketch has a glimpse of subject what could be found as you spent more time at home. Focused on the familiar daily life environment that we have overlooked, each piece of music is written with margins and lingering sound.
This album is released for the first time in four years, since their release of previous album “Sora Mo Sukoshi”, and both artist attempted to record from their own private studio. As words reflects the emotional movements, each musical notes from the sound of Paniyolo and Akio Watanabe can be felt from this album. They have created a music that breathes, based on the consistent concept, from the separated spaces.”