The latest band of the legendary Keichi Suzuki who back in 1972 formed Hachimitsu Pie, and in 1975 Moonriders, and has produced and collaborated with many musicians such as in the Beatniks with YMO's Yukihiro Takahashi. Second in the series of this project with Keichi Sogabe. Rock, 60s soul, dixie, ragtime, folk and more. 19 tracks.

1. Pirate Radio. seasick #12 & 35 2. Tokyo.5001.a.d. 3. Seasick.the No War Battleship 4. Da Da Da 5. My Name Is Burn 6. `Indy` Promotional Campaign Jingle.ynos Corp. 7. Scrap Atoll #5 8. Pirate Radio.seasick #61 Reprise 9. Lookin` For Miss Radio 10. Suite 11. Chic Pirates Forever 12. Sad Tambourine 13. The Moments Of Love 14. Suite 15. Pirate Radio.seasick 16. Help Wanted For Ynos Corp. `indy` Jingle 17. Gimme Gimme Waltz 18. The Ghosts Between Fm And Am 19. Joprs 5001.0

Recording of a concert that celebrated the 25th anniversary as a taiko player of the remarkable Eitetsu Hayashi, performed at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo in December 2007, under the subtitle 'Sora o Tateite Hikari Hajimete Shiroshi'. He performed four pieces by contemporary Japanese composers, together with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. They were also backed by various other instruments such as timpani and a pipe organ. On the last track, Monoprism, written in 1976 by Maki Ishii, Hayashi performed with six other taiko players plus the orchestra on what has been called the first ever taiko concerto. Groundbreaking stuff.


Price:   £23.99

Collaboration album between one of Japan's best young shakuhachi players, Dozan Fujiwara, and veteran electronic music pioneer Isao Tomita. Fujiwara studied under the master Hozan Yamamoto, in the Tozan school of which he is a qualified instructor. Like his teacher, he has developed a sense for experimentation and recorded with a wide range of artists both Japanese and foreign, including Ryuichi Sakamoto. Born in 1932, Tomita has been performing electronic music since the 1960s on Moog synthesizers. This is the first time Tomita has produced an entire album for a single artist. They first composed music for a film together which led to this project. Shakuhachi, koto and hichiriki are combined with Tomita's trademark synthesizer sounds.

First full new album from the fantastic Shibusashirazu for three years doesn't disappoint. High energy, organized chaos from the free jazz experimentalists. Most of these tunes have been tested out during their sensational live performances. Great sound from this SACD (Super Audio) Hybrid CD, which can be played on any CD player, although to appreciate the Super Audio layer bit, you'll need a Super Audio CD player.


Price:   £23.99

Buffalo Daughter's Europhorica is their fifth album and first for three years. German krautrock influenced funky electronica. At times haunting, other times disturbing, with monotone voices and odd harmnonization. An intriguing album of kitsch pop. Comes as SACD hybrid.

Taiko drumming groups of varying quality have now sprung up in many countries around the world. Contrary to popular conception, groups of taiko drummers in loin cloths is not some ancient Japanese tradition. One man, more responsible than any other, for creating this so-called 'tradition' is Eitetsu Hayashi, the best musician in the original Ondekoza, lead drummer with their off-shoot Kodo and for many years now, a solo musician. Unlike some of the groups he helped spawn, Hayashi is not style over substance, instead he continues to push the boundaries of taiko music with collaborations and innovations as well as being just about the best of the taiko players. On this album he is joined by a chorus group and guest vocalists and tackles some Middle Eastern rhythms and songs written by one time collaborator, the late Hamza El Din. 12 tracks. SACD Haybrid gives a fantastic sound quality.


Price:   £23.99