cover art by Jeff Velker (SC / Twitter) I’m very pleased to finally share Volume 2 of the OMG Japan mix via Self-Titled Mag. That proclivity towards inventive genre splicing is all over this mix, actually, perhaps most noticeably as a reggae influence in three very different incarnations. First, Akiko Yano’s steel drum-flecked synth-reggae cupcake “Ashkenazy … Continue reading [Mix for Self-Titled] OMG Japan 2: Japanese Pop 1980-1989
A classic. While Hosono needs no introduction around here, I’m realizing that Tatsuro Yamashita has perhaps not been given enough air time. For the unfamiliar, Yamashita is iconic in his own right, not just because of his classic Japanese Christmas favorite “Christmas Eve” or his enormous output but also because of his signature early-80’s take on … Continue reading Haruomi Hosono, Shigeru Suzuki & Tatsuro Yamashita – Pacific, 1978
Listen to my newest mix for NTS Radio below. Moody slow-burners, futuristic textures, and a few anachronisms. If you like it, you can download an mp3 version here. Enjoy! Tracklist: 1. Владимир Леви & Ким Брейтбург – Не Уходи, Дарящий (thanks David!) 2. Susumu Yokota – King Dragonfly 3. Roberto Musci & Giovanni Venosta – Water Music … Continue reading [Mix for NTS Radio] Getting Warmer Episode 14
Ouch, so beautiful. Seigén Ono’s debut album was released when he was 26 years old, though he had already worked with David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto, and went on to become one of Japan’s most sought-after producers and engineers. I feel as if this record has been steadily opening up for me over the past … Continue reading Seigén Ono – Seigén, 1984
As the title suggests, this is a record about love, but in typical Bill Nelson fashion, it’s neither saccharine nor sentimental. It’s full-blooded, angsty, and churning, and the song titles are unabashed: “Eros Arriving,” “The Bride Of Christ In Autumn,” “Flesh,” “Flaming Desire,” and my favorite, “The Crystal Escalator In The Palace Of God Department … Continue reading Bill Nelson – The Love That Whirls (Diary Of A Thinking Heart), 1982
Not for the faint of heart, although I think the cover art should give you a pretty good sense of what you’re in for. Iconic jazz pianist Akiko Yano covers a lot of ground here, ranging from bubblegum reggae to pure, high-toned J-pop to the spronky sample relentlessness of new wave contemporaries like Devo, “Little … Continue reading Akiko Yano – Tadaima, 1981
I’m so excited to share my first episode of “Getting Warmer” for NTS Radio. If you like it, you can download an mp3 version here. Enjoy! Tracklist: 1. Mark Isham – Raffles In Rio 2. Yas-Kaz – The Gate of Breathing (Excerpt) 3. A.r.t. Wilson – Rebecca’s Theme (Water) 4. Double – Naningo (Lexx Edit) … Continue reading [Mix for NTS Radio] Getting Warmer Episode 1
The third solo release from YMO member Yukihiro Takahashi, with appearances from Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Andy Mackay of Roxy Music, and Tony Mansfield, who’s worked with Lio, the B-52s, New Musik, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. Assistance from Steve Nye of Penguin Café Orchestra, Chris Mosdell, and Hideki Matsutake, who has computer programmed many of the greatest … Continue reading Yukihiro Takahashi – Neuromantic, 1981
cover image by whtebkgrnd We’re so excited to release this mix of experimental Japanese pop, up today on Self-Titled Mag. “This is a mix of Japanese pop songs, most of them with a synth funk backbone. The most exciting aspect of this era of music, though, is how unafraid these musicians were to push the … Continue reading [Mix for Self-Titled] OMG Japan: Rare & Experimental Japanese Pop
Mariah was the brainchild of saxophonist Yasuaki Shimizu, who is most well-known for his solo performances of Bach’s cello suites in acoustically interesting spaces (he recorded in a mine, he did some work with Ryuichi Sakamoto, we love him, etc.). His work with Mariah was a far cry from the rest of his career, though–Utakata … Continue reading Mariah – うたかたの日々 (Utakata No Hibi), 1983