For the fifth entry in our Collector`s Series we enlist the skills of Japan-based musical connoisseurs, Ken Hidaka, Max Essa, and Dr. Rob. Their compilation Oto No Wa sets out to map the evolution of chilled Japanese sounds across 3 decades, collecting 14 tracks, produced by a wide range of artists. From ambient pioneers to dance-floor veterans, to a 9-piece reggae band, Little Tempo, percussionist Kazuya Kotani, and organic, psychedelic collective, Olololop.
Beginning in the late 1980s, the era when “environmental music” became
prevalent, theres Yoshio Ojima
s cool computer-generated Sealed.
The compilation also includes later work by his contemporaries Takashi Kokubo,
and Yoshiaki Ochi. Theirs are compositions designed for art galleries and museum
installations. “BGM” built from emerging technology, and / or counterpoint
tapped out expertly on sticks and stones. The 90s give us the
seminal electronics of Susumu Yokota, and the solar-flare strut of Scha Dara
Parr – Japan’s answer to The Beastie Boys. Here, remixed by the legendary
Major Force. Moving into the 21st century we have the post-house productions of
Flower Records. Kentaro
Takizawas oceanic Gradual Life, and Little Big Bee
s colourful
coral reef-diving Scuba. Fellow traveller, Kaoru
Inoues “Kyushu kosmische”. Representing the next decade are Flower Records
current rising stars, Coastlines, who calmly combine classic fusion, library
music, and gentle nova bossa nova rhythms. Alongside them are the sunbaked
electro-acoustics of Karel Arbus & Eiji Takamatsu, plus Chillax` previously
unreleased epic analog / modular jam. All of these selections are the result of
some serious “digging” but more importantly they represent physical
connections made during
Kens 20-plusyear career in the “Biz”, Max
decade of DJing all
over Japan. Music made by folks interviewed by Rob at the websites, Test
Pressing and Ban Ban Ton Ton. Friendships forged at Lone Star – the
trio’s long-running party, which takes place every month at Bar Bonobo in
Harajuku.