Stomu Yamash'ta-Red Buddha

Here's one for everyone.  If you have spent any time digging through dusty records I'm sure you've seen this guy's name at some point.  Most of the time it's attached to crap and that has unfortunately led this album to become supremely neglected.  As far as I can recall (not going to look it up though) this was a solo affair where Yamash'ta plays a mountain of percussive and electronic instruments.  That might not sound like your slice of pie, but I'll tell ya this one works for many moods.  It's honestly that good.  Not sure what genre obsessives class this as.  Maybe it's new age (don't be scared) or psych or world music.  I really don't care.  Neither should you.

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David Sylvian-Blemish

Always the dapper gent, this cover illustration betrays Sylvain's charm by depicting him as some slackerish bum with bad fashion sense. Perhaps it was his transformation from the highly constructed elegance he advanced while fronting Japan. And while they had some moments, they were always a little too slick for mine ears (fretless bass, no matter how well played, is a no no). So how did this guy get from glam to new wave to what ever the hell this is? Not too sure, but he clearly got weirder and better with age. As most of us who actually know a thing or two actually do. For fans of late Talk Talk, late Scott Walker, all Martyn Bates. Basically, the type of music I am obsessed with but have the greatest difficulty finding. Sam, you will like this one.

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State Children-Bomb Shelter for Moneymaking! 7"

What a fucking brilliant mess this weirdo flexi is. Hard as shit to find pre-internet days, this mutato was destined to be a holy grail like record. I think most people can pick up instruments, having never played them, and instantly record this album verbatim. But guess what? You didn't do it, so don't cry that it's primitive and retarded and only a few minutes long. You're the same fucker who looks at a Rothko and says "I can do that" aren't you? You can probably also write The Sun Also Rises too, huh?

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Nobuko Hori-xtoyourmilkyhair

Readers know I'm a lazy man. The only things I put much time into is teaching and cooking. But the spirit and passion for both of those has been on the decline in recent months. That being said I can just do the whole lazy man music descriptors I've been reading about this album and just say it's a Japanese Bjork. But that just sounds really shitty and will most likely discourage downloads. So let's dig a little deeper with this one. Yes, there are some pretty idiosyncratic girly vocals. There's some electronic fuckery to boot. Maybe it's just me and my dislike of Bjork (okay, that weird folk album she made when she was like 7 was pretty cool) but I just don't want to make that analogy. Maybe your ears bend a bit differently than mine however. Negative point to Hori however for those gross pregnancy photos I discovered when trying to find some info on her. Keep that shit covered up.

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Teiji Ito-Meshes: Music for Films and Theater

You ever have crushes on dead people like me? Is that natural? I don’t mean some necrophilic desire but that feeling that you’re really not living in the right era. Well, Maya Deren was one of my long running crushes. Just look at her most famous photo of her looking out the window and tell me you don’t want to spend all day laying around in bed with her doing crosswords together. Lucky Teji Ito was not only a talented composer but was married to Deren at some point. All of her shorts are worth checking out, but I think it’s really Ito’s soundtrack work that affects me the most. Meditative, haunting, and definitely worth a listen. This means nothing to me but it might to a few of you, this was reissued by John Zorn at some point.

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Morita Doji-Mother Sky

Apparently, yesterday was supposed to be the saddest day of the year, but I just chalk that up to racists who still would rather work. I mean, barring a few brief interlude of happiness, I can say I felt as shitty as I did on any other day of the past 2 years. But here's something to soothe the wounds and broken hearts. Replete with a super fantastic cover. More Japanese psych folk stuff that aches with desperation and sorrow. The opening track "Our Failure" should clue you into what she's all about. And if that's not enough, there's some really great arrangements that employ a diverse selection of instruments. The Japanese girl version of Nick Drake? Perhaps. And rumor has it that her career was propagated by the death of a close friend. It sounds like that might be true. I have a feeling that this link will get pulled rather quickly so you might want to get it while you can. But then again, it's not like I'm all that popular, so who knows?

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Brast Burn-Debon

A few of you seemed to enjoy that Karuna Khyal post I did ever so long ago when this blog was still in it's formative stages. And who would have guessed that now this blog would have over 80 followers who can tolerate my bullshit antics (I know you really just ignore the writing and download the records)? Back to the point, this is the same band (as far as I know) who released that classic album. But it sounds different. And kinda the same too. Sorry to confuse you, but this is a confusing band. Great, but confusing. And worthy of some ear time.

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Sweet & Honey-Live at Your Cosmic Mind

Fuck it, every post today is coming from Japan. I could easily do a whole month drawing from that country but then I might start sounding like one of those creepy white guys with a weirdo Asian fetish (aka every one of my friends). I ripped this off my vinyl copy long ago, so it's probably not up to the high standards that many of you demand. My apologies but I really don't know what the fuck I am doing. I'm not even sure what a bit rate is. I guess higher is better, right? Well, this, I assume, must be super low unless I by chance figured it out unbeknownst to me. What I do know is that this record is great, especially if you're in the mood for some Japanese psych rock. It's Masaki Batoh (from my beloved Ghost) and maybe a guy or two from White Heaven (can't confirm or deny this one), and it will fill that missing gap in your Hawkwind catalog.

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Zeni Geva-Nai Ha

Might as well stay in virtual Japan after that last post as it will allow me to post a band that we've all heard for many years, but always seem to forget. And it's a shame really since KK Null and cohorts have been churning out the metal/industrial/psych/noise/prog/experimental/alien sounds for numerous decades now. You know you're getting old when this band becomes a vague memory that, in discussion, takes several moments to recall. So from one old miserablist to another, maybe we should work on forgetting the insurmountable disappointments we've had and instead remember the great music we once used to enjoy.

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Tetuzi Akiyama-Route 13 the Gates of Hell

Have to thank my good pal Ryan for turning me on to this one (miss you buddy). I can't say I know too much about this dude. I know he was in a band with Keiji Haino (ten million points for looking like some super awesome Japanese warlock, but why all the obsessive fans), and I guess that's enough for some people. This album comes in two parts: 1.) the front loaded acoustic section that is good, but not the reason I am posting this, and 2.) the weird ass, minimalist, zz topped boogie rock of the second half. It's a sound I've often dreamt of but I can't seem to locate. It's just representative riffs that make you want to shake you ass or at least snatch a granny's purse. None of the other nonsense that mires down many albums of previous eras that Akiyama draws from (you know, histrionic vocals, absurd solos (on every instrument), excessively tight trousers, etc).

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Confuse-Spending Loud Night

Sometimes I get bored and do a google search to see if anybody links to my blog (oddly enough, I've never actaully searched for my own name). Maybe it's just me, but it seems like this site is getting lumped in with some pretty strange things. Here's the top five:

1.) Band Member Names | Linkin Park Band Member Names
2.) Mississippi | World of juggling News
3.) Debby - Indonesian Blog Directories
4.) The Sex Creep Sex, World's Worst Voyeur Sexsite Voyeur And Spy Cam
5.) Prevent Breast Cancer:Secret of Ki(Qi) Energy Master from Japan Part2

I don't know what I'm supposed to make of this list, but it is enjoyable. That's the same feelings I get from this classic Japanese punk nightmare. It's brilliant, but I'm still not sure if I'm absorbing it all since every listen provides more and more pleasure. Not a grower album, but something that just keeps improving. Kinda like those weird little crystals you would grow under water when you were a kid.

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Corrupted-Se Hace Los Suenos Aseinos

Some seriously heavy and lumbering shit. Not too surprising that it's from Japan, right. I mean, there's already a precedent for that. Sung in Spanish though. Vuh? Not sure how that came to be. Not really to interested in doing that quick google search to find the answer because it really doesn't matter. Regardless of their motives, the decision pays off. I think this one might be a Thanksgiving hit to play as your family gathers around the fire and plays Jenga. Rumor has it that this band has a big granny following., and you know those Q-Tip heads are real fans.

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Coma-In a Coma 7"

Here's another in the series of albums I love but know almost nothing about. Try searching for Coma or "In a Coma" tell me what you can dig up. All I know is it's the last album released on the ADK label (bonus points if you're familiar with their catalog). It's Japanese. It's punk. Those three things should compel you to download this immediately.

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People-Ceremony-Buddha Meet Rock/People

What the hell is the "Lover Creation Series?" If you know divulge this information forthwith. I assume it must be something weird and Japanese. Probably some bad engrish or something. Despite the cumbersome appellation, this album should be considered a masterpiece in the pantheon of Japanese psych records. It can be a little experimental, but for the most part, it's plaintive, meditative, groove driven, and peaceful. It's all over the place, but great for that reason alone.

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Shonen Knife – Minna Tanoshiku (Everybody Happy)

It's been years since I've seen anything by these ladies, until recently when I came across a photo of them in a magazine. They still are really cute and all, but they had a kinda hip makeover that just didn't sit too well with me. I want to remember them as these nerdy office workers who got together to play some really shambolic pop nonsense. I mean, I'm still having a hard time understanding how this band was signed to a major label and had videos on mtv. But the 90s were a weird time I guess.

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Tatsuya Yoshida-Drums, Voices, Keyboards, & Guitar

I think I can argue that Yoshida is the best living drumming. I think I can win that argument. I don't want to fight you or anything, unless, that is you happen to be that stupid fake punk with that ridiculous goatee (instantly lame) and terrible haircut that works down at pleasant street. If that is you then I want to hit you in the mouth with a hammer since you are a dumb motherfucker. Time to grow up you clown. But if you are not that cretin, then I think the album title suggests what you are bound to hear on this disk.

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DJ Scotch Egg-KFC Core

What evil fiend concocted this double down sandwich I've been hearing about? If you haven't seen the commercials or heard the hype it's basically a sandwich that replaces the bread with fried chicken and is full of bacon and cheese. Despite looking absolutely disgusting, I'm oddly compelled to try one of these monstrosities. Until that day (I'm sure I'll have to be quite drunk) I'll just enjoy DJ Scotch Egg's homage to the Colonel. Don't think that this is some lame turntablism. I don't even think he has a turntable. I believe that all the sounds produced here are either a product of his deranged yelps or his circuit bent gameboy. And it's pretty obvious that he's playing a gameboy. Of course, he's Japanese.

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Toru Takemitsu-Film Music 4 (Teshigahara Films Soundtracks)

Pittfall, Women of the Dunes, The Face of Another...all fucking classic films. Teshigahara is someone I expect to come up more often in discussions on film, yet he never seems to. Too bad because those three are absolutely essential viewings. And his choice of having Takemitsu soundtrack them was equally brilliant. The music fits so perfectly that I suggest watching the movies first just to experience the interplay of sound & image, then if you like it download this.

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Taj Mahal Travellers-July 15 1972

Why not a little more Japanese psych? And this has got to be one of the better ones. I've previously mentioned Kosugi in my Astroboy soundtrack post and his awesome fluxus work. He's another group he was affiliated with. And it sounds much more like some contemporary hippie collective than some 70s Japanese rock. It's experimental and weird, for sure, but if that isn't necessarily your thing, there's no need to avoid this. The fantastic website Ubuweb has the entire documentary made on their 1973 tour. You should check it out here. And while you're there, you might as well check out all the other amazing treats to be found there as well.

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Les Rallizes Dénudés-Blind Baby Has Its Mothers Eyes

Umm...can this be the most influential band that no one has heard? It's taken me years to find albums by these guys (all of dubious legality), and while I've got a ton of their shit, I know there's still some super limited cdrs and cassettes that I'll never see. To me, they've always have been this mythical band everyone likes talking about but, pre-internet mind you, were nearly impossible to find. It seems like if you know this band (and have actually heard them) you probably already have this one, seeing as it's the one with probably the widest distribution (thanks Julian Cope). If you haven't given them a listen then imagining a Japanese version of V.U. wouldn't be that far off. The history of this band is pretty sketchy, but one thing everyone mentions is their affiliation with the Japanese Red Army and their hi jacking of a plane. So there I mentioned it. If you want some awesome psych/noise/distorto mess, then prick up your ears.

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