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 Continue Reading
Japan
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.
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.
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 Continue Reading
BLAK and MYY. – Void, along with me
Both Spain’s BLAK and Japan’s MYY. are both incredible instrumental post-rock bands. They don’t play the sometimes irritating metal variant. This is a more pure form of the genre. Rather gentle to the ears considering the power of each band.
United Future Organization Feat. Monday Michiru – My Foolish Dream
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
Shane Beck and mora-tau – Irrevocably Entwined
“The Last American Poet” Shane Beck collaborates with Japanese experimental composer mora-tau for an album of spoken-word-laden soundscapes.
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 Continue Reading
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.
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 Continue Reading