Back catalogue:

Review: Percussionist and singer-songwriter Mami Kakudo returns with her latest album, Contact. A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts' Department of Instrumental Music, Kakudo has gained recognition in Japan and internationally for her expressive use of marimba, percussion, voice and music boxes. Four years after her debut album, Oar (featuring covers of Maki Asakawa's 'My Friday' and Fishmans' 'Ikkareta Baby'), Contact showcases her signature sound again here in all its glory. Recorded with a talented ensemble-including Mugi Furukawa on guitar, Akita Goldman on bass, Wataru Mitsunaga on drums, and Yumiko Iwao on cello-Contact highlights Kakudo's ethereal voice, poetic lyrics and whimsical arrangements.

Review: The debut album Approach to Anima by Maya Ongaku landed originally in May 2023 but sold out quickly so is now being reissued. Initially available as a rare import, the album features Sonoda's fluid guitar and vocals, Takano's undulating bass, Ikeda's ethereal woodwinds and delicate synths and percussion to create a calm yet unsettling atmosphere. Tracks like 'Approach' and 'Water Dream' showcase their diverse influences by blending "Neo-Dada and Fluxus" with 1960s recording advancements. Based in serene Enoshima, the trio's music is free-spirited and reveals hidden depths and untamed vitality which reflect their ongoing creative journey.

Review: Melanie's extensive six-CD boxed set, Neighbourhood Songs, is an extensive look into her career for fans and music historians alike. With over 100 tracks, most previously unreleased, this collection offers a comprehensive journey through Melanie's music, meticulously curated by Melanie herself and her team. The painstaking audio restoration ensures that even lo-fi recordings shine, bringing out the essence of Melanie's folk and pop repertoire. The accompanying 20-page booklet, adorned with unseen photographs and insightful essays from fans and experts like Mark Paytress and Dave Thompson, enriches the experience further. For enthusiasts, the bonus CD 'Centre of the Circle' adds another layer of discovery, featuring tracks that couldn't fit into the main set. Overall, Neighbourhood Songs is a definitive showpiece of Melanie's enduring impact and musical evolution. Melanie's passed away early this year of 2024. What better way to celebrate her music then to get a copy of this.