• Music

    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.

  • Music

    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.

  • Music

    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…

  • Music

    Hatis Noit – Aura

    Compared to the human voice, everything else is mimicry.  Hatis Noit is an Japanese artist working out of London whose experimental vocal works compare favorably to artists like Laurie Anderson and the ever-wonderful Anna Homler.  It’s a strangely soothing listen.

  • Music

    WaJazz: Japanese Jazz Spectacle Vol.I – Deep, Heavy and Beautiful Jazz from Japan 1968-1984 – The Nippon Columbia Masters – Selected by Yusuke Ogawa (Universounds)

    From the Wajazz Series Bandcamp page: “Universounds, HMV Record Shop and 180g team up for an exceptional release: from blazing hard bop to free jazz, to introspective saxophone solos and massive big band sounds, renowned Japanese jazz expert Yusuke Ogawa presents an essential 14 track collection of “WaJazz” music taken from the Nippon Columbia vaults. Featuring Jiro Inagaki, Minoru Muraoka, Hiroshi Suzuki, Hozan Yamamoto, Count Buffalo, Takeshi Inomata, and much more!”

  • Music

    Norio Maeda “Rock Communication Yagibushi” LP – Gatefold sleeve and 2pp Insert (Black Vinyl)

    Folks, this is another stunner from our friends at Wewantsounds!  Norio Maeda’s sound crosses funky Blaxploitation grooves with music you would find from a 70s ‘krimi’ soundtrack out of Italy or Germany.  Expect to find heavyweight vinyl with gorgeous packaging.  This one is NOT to be missed!  Check out the Youtube link above to get a taste of what is coming your way.