http://www.discogs.com/Susumu-Yokota-Sakura/release/33523
http://www.discogs.com/Prism-Fallen-Angel/master/34749
http://www.discogs.com/Ebi-Zen/release/1165283
Three very different, but brilliant faces of the same man albeit several years apart starting with EBI in 94- through the Sakura on the leaf label within 2000. Susumu Yokota has been incredibly prolific over his time and still makes music for various labels today (albeit not for sublime records (one of my personal fave labels)) none is unfortunately released on vinyl. While I have a few of his other works (boy and tree also being notably good) I feel the selection here in my own opinion reflects his best and most diverse work and this seems to be widely voiced on internet forums and other reviews. Each of these is a corker in it's own right but as a cross section displays his unique ability to perfect musical styles that others have spent a musical lifetime trying and failing to replicate. First is...
EBI-Zen
One of S.Y's first incarnations just as he was moving around in the acid house phase heading toward ambient (and later latino infused part house such as 1999 and Zero which never agree'd with me much). This album is a blisteringly good ambient acid fusion. I would easily compare it to early +8/and Hawtins '93 work, just as much character, but dare I say it, even more tuneful and elegant. Each track meanders through a different acid dimension, always meditational, often unnerving but very uplifting. Despite sparse instrumentation (fairly standard delay TB303, TR606/ bit of paino/Elka style stings) and sticking to a rigid formula (acid loops,off sync staunch delay, other instrumentation adds backdrop and complimenting phrase and response style melody with repetition), the tracks never get stale (at least to someone who already likes this sort of genre, otherwise it may sound very repetitive), bolstered substantially in this fact by SY inbuilt musicianship. This does nothing but add to the music in a world of techno where it's easy to overdub layer after layer and restraint is often a forgotten word, especially in these radio "EDM" laden days. Overall this album is pure and refreshing and a very "Zen" experience as the name would suggest. lovely (if odd to a western perspective) design, the coloured edition is a lovely press, I have to say. This album ends on The highlight, Chuu. Probably, the best ambient acid track I own - hands down. lately, I cannot stop listening to this track. It builds purposefully and slowly in a hypnotic slow groove to an enormously lush and soothing string section with which climaxes to the eventual fade out. Other highlights include Zen and Sou but only for their particular character than standing out as intrinsically better for any reason.
PRISM-Fallen Angel
Then he dabbled in good ol' Detroit inspired techno and Chicago inspired house in the same release (a mad concept, I know). This release contains competent and much sought after reproductions of both in equal measure, especially the the track 4degrees/Decalogue which is a homage clone of the classic track Berry-TC or heard-esque, "house music, But with soul." The design is a bit psychedelic and doesn't really fit with the music - sublime teams design is usually pretty top notch, so the intern probably got a chance to crack the whip rather than the usual coffee duty that day.) This release falls a bit short of the faux tag "IDM", the musical concepts hold up very well ~(always a strong point of S.Y compositions) but rhythmically it could be called a rather standard affair. It is true one of the tracks (Tears of Nymph) has a uniform metronome line that falls in and out of the main beat set at a relative time which is a nice touch. With all the above sounding quite negative, you may feel it is surprising I list this as one of his best albums, despite some flaws, this album is a true underground classic (just check the prices on Discogs) and one that most "old-skool" DJ's wouldn't know about if it slapped them with a Monty Python wet fish. It has a healthy minimal soul and intricacy in equal measure with never sounding overly repetitive. The odd ambient track thrown in just to mix things up. Just listen and see if you agree! (other stand-out tracks; massife ol' skool Drum n' Bass moment dabbled in Black or Colour _not quite A.G.C.G - B.S.T. territory but much better than a lot; Honeybee Whisper.)
S.Y- Sakura
A lucky stumble in mint at a London second hand shop, this remains one of my best ever finds. I knew little about the music when picking it up other than the cover and the concept. but upon seeing it for sale at a barmy price couldn't resist. My S.Y, love affair started there! Expertly crafted, ambient, unnerving but inspiring in equal measure, songs like Kodomotachi leak into your subconscious, demand a replay for days and slowly wanders off in your dreams to greet the faces you used to know in those holiday sunset snaps.
(maybe I'm being a bit dramatic.) Nice jazz interludes and strong S Reich moments (a few music for 18 musicians rip off but luckily in context, adapted as so not to appear as direct plagiarism- Hell "the Orb" got away with it right?) A strong few openers with tribal samples cleverly intertwined to the melody. This is a sparse release but intensely musical and for this reason often finds its way onto adverts and the such. I know people go on about this one, but I feel it really does deserve the attention! All tracks are great but especially the A side and the C side through to Tobiume.
(maybe I'm being a bit dramatic.) Nice jazz interludes and strong S Reich moments (a few music for 18 musicians rip off but luckily in context, adapted as so not to appear as direct plagiarism- Hell "the Orb" got away with it right?) A strong few openers with tribal samples cleverly intertwined to the melody. This is a sparse release but intensely musical and for this reason often finds its way onto adverts and the such. I know people go on about this one, but I feel it really does deserve the attention! All tracks are great but especially the A side and the C side through to Tobiume.
No comments:
Post a Comment