Hiruko Records / France / 2012 / LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release
Compilation of Japanese wave and synth pop tracks. Includes Ryuichi Sakamoto & Phew.
Holy Tokyo flashback, Batman. “Ongaku” == music in Kanji.
KFJC definitely had a solid connection to the Japanese underground in the 1990’s, and this impressive collection shows the breadth of sound going on back then. In part, this is a holy God Mountain flashback, as E*Trance and Demi Semi Quaver show up with tracks KFJC has thanks to fine fancy work of Hoppy Kamiyama ran that label. If you have never encountered the hi-powered, hijinx of Emi Eleonola (her vocals can fry you like Magma on meth) have fun here with the album closer. E*Trance has a killer operatic collage that works into a driving rock number (with a kinda 80’s guitar solo). Ghost’s “Moungod Te Deum” is reprised here as well, organic forest psyche, that could have gone on longer, deeper, greener. As impressive as the variety here is, it’s also remarkable (and a little sad) that we don’t have some of these artists in KFJC’s library at all. Phew, her gasping punk vocals over a pummelling beat on “Being.” Jun Miyake has that cool mutated trumpet kinda reminscent of Toshinori Kondo, but it’s tucked behind a sort of taiko procession. Idiot O’Clock apparently only
had one full release (on the mighty Alchemy label) the leadoff track from that is here wth a swinging side to side rock number that recalls Japan’s Stars and adds in some
hovering organ to the groove. That track “Shinzu” is also known as “X Runner From the Way.” Idiot O’Clock evolved (or is it devolved?) into the Japanese skiffle band
Maher Shalal Hash Baz. Takako Minekawa surprised with a beat bouncer, where despite the “Cloud Ships” title it feels more grounded in a PacMan DanceOff. Riyuichi Sakamoto provides a slice of Beauty, Arto Lindsay fans take note.
The Gerogerigegege provide a work in progress, that recalls a Japanese Kathy McGinty versus a heavy breathing salariman. Is it a love story? And lastly “Magic V” by a band that might translate as “Not Lost Person” and thanks to this comp, that is true. Listen to ’em all to (re)find yer fave!
-Thurston Hunger