CORIN
Manifest

EM Records: ...Cool, sophisticated and melodically funky pop from Japan, recorded in 2014/15, six irresistible new songs from veteran members of 90s Tokyo underground pop bands like Love Tambourines, Arch and Bridge, all influenced by the Tokyo Neo Acoustic scene as well as early "club music" like Acid Jazz, Rare Groove and early Techno and mentored by Kenji Takimi of Crue-L Records. Bank formed in 2006 and have been assiduously honing their sound since then, distilling an elegant brew compounded of 80s dance music, the funkier elements of post-punk and the Factory Records roster, and other groups such as Young Marble Giants, Weekend and Duran Duran. A consummate blend. Vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Dai Nakamura is joined by guitarist Nobuyuki Ohashi, keyboardist Tadashi Kitami, with Fumio Hirami on bass and Bo Suzuki on drums. The contributions of the latter two are a key part of Bank's charm, with Hirami's funky bass laid over Suzuki's YMO-inspired grid-style drums. But make no mistake, these are true songs, not mere rhythmic exercises. Featuring memorable melodies, heavenly harmonies and attractive arrangements, these songs were mixed and mastered by Tomoki Kanda, a renowned member of the Shibuya-kei scene.

smilingc: ...Muž Ze Skla seems to be one of the few house records of its style coming from Czechoslovakia during the ‘90s, and with good reason. Labels like the government-run Supraphon dominated the electronic music industry during the communist party rule through the '70s & '80s, controlling the styles of music that artists were allowed to release. In 1990, Czechoslovakia had its first free elections in nearly 45 years. What came of it was the installation of a new democratic party, and new opportunities for artists like Jindřich Parma to release the music they wanted to.

Efficient Space honours the memory of producer and MC Ali Omar with Hashish Hits, a posthumous selection from the dub rebel’s self-released discography.One of ten children in working-class Liverpool, Omar drew deep influence from his father's Arabic heritage - a thread central to his identity and sample origins. After art school and a spell clubbing during Manchester's halcyon days, he relocated to Sydney, where he co-founded the blunted downbeat duo Atone with fellow British expatriate Andy Fitzgerald. As an MC, he infiltrated the city’s house, dub, jungle, and bass circuits, becoming a regular fixture at the Bentley Bar, where he commanded the mic with his versatile, rumbling baritone and charisma.Freakishly talented in the studio, Omar was a pioneer of the Akai sampler and Atari, deftly recording live sessions straight to DAT. Drawing on industry insights from his sister, Merseybeat firebrand Beryl Marsden - who supported The Beatles on their final UK tour and was signed to Decca and Columbia - the non-conformist sought to build a self-sufficient business model. Between 1998 and 2004, he independently issued four albums on CD through his Hashish Studios imprint, hustling copies directly to local record stores and live shows for instant returns, even hand-sewing screen-printed hessian sleeves for his final release.Uncompromising in his principles and refusing to suffer fools or charlatans, Omar relished the opportunity to collaborate with those who embodied the same spirit. Hashish Hits offers a snapshot of his inner sanctum - Fitzgerald on the opening track's billowing smoke stacks, the serpentine vocals of Gina Mitchell and the magic hands of mixer Louis Mitchell on 'On Release,' and Wicked Beat Sound System’s Kye on 'Poor Man Beggar Man Thief'. Meanwhile, 'Suicide Bomber' smoulders with the tension of a lost Muslimgauze relic, as the instructional 'Roll Up' and 'The Last Straw' spiral deeper into Omar’s signature production vortex - where space stretches in slow motion and walls reverberate with ricocheting delay.A true icon of Sydney’s underground scene, the larger-than-life Omar passed away on 23 June 2009 after a valiant battle with cancer. He is remembered for his assertive spirit, larrikin humour, wild anarchic personality, and enduring mantra: “Love and live your life”.

ORANGE MILK RECORDS: ... Annulus is Ryu Yoshizawa’s third release on Orange Milk as Koeosaeme. His 2019 LP Obanikeshi was a barrage of high resolution abstract compositions, and Annulus picks up from there, refining the style and adding an extra layer of inspiration from the Southeast Asian folk music of Burma, Thailand, China, etc. He inserts music concrete with silky repetition, making you feel as if you are walking through parts of Asia, contemplating experimental music. Annulus is peaceful, melodic, atonal, and flows together as one big piece. Part 1 of the record is concrete music, and Part 2 is described as abstract music. It is distinctly Japanese despite other western influences like Steve Reich and Jon Hassell; music meant for a documentary that will be made in the distant future. Annulus features collaborations with Hidekazu Sakamoto, Seth Graham, and LXV.Koeosaeme is Ryu Yoshizawa. From 2004, he has been a member of the sound artists group “OFFICE INTENZIO” under Yellow Magic Orchestra’s Yukihiro Takahashi. In addition, he is in charge of live event backup support and recordings for Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yukihiro Takahashi, Kyoka and many others. He also produces music commercially for Lotte and Square Enix.