Flower Japan Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Last year long time Flower Records associates Masanori Ikeda and Takumi Kanedo (best known for his work as part of Cro-Magnon) released their debut album as Coastlines, a stunningly sunny, laidback affair that touched on everything from nu-jazz and nu-disco to dub, Latin rhythms and Balearic beats. Here they offer up a fresh double-header on a must-check 7" single. A-side "East Coast" is particularly alluring, with the duo joining the dots between Nils Frahm piano pieces, gentle nu-jazz grooves and wide-eyed Balearic ambience. The synths come to the fore on flipside "West Coast", an arguably even sunnier affair with slo-mo Latin beats, mazy solos and glistening guitars to the fore.

Review: While it's a cliche to describe Balearic-minded releases as being "sun-soaked" and "sunset-ready", they're both descriptors that accurately reflect the gorgeously warm, melodious and laidback sound of Japanese outfit Coastlines. Their second self-titled album is every bit as inspired as its predecessor and offers a range of tracks built around layered, intricate instrumentation, gently shuffling rhythms and vivid daydreams about beachside walks in sunnier climes. Our picks of a very strong bunch include the Andreas Vollenweider-inspired slo-mo Latin shuffle of 'Tenderly', the blazed deep jazz-funk of 'Alicia', the piano-laden early morning wonder of 'Night Cruise' and the squelchy future boogie of 'Sky Island'. In a word: sumptuous!

Review: Cruisic are a Tokyo-based two piece dealing in electronically-charged jazz fusion. Ryusuke Kakizawa and Yukinari Iwata kicked the project off in 2019 with a cover of 'Inspector Norse', while last year they did their own rendition of 808 State's 'Pacific-707'. This time around they've invited Baku Furukawa to lend some smooth singing to a cover of Tania Maria's classic 'Come With Me', taking the song into dreamy bossa nova territory and providing they can handle vocals just as delicately as the instrumentation with their on-point covers series.

Review: Given the popularity of Todd Terje's 2012 nu-disco anthem "Inspector Norse", it's a bit of a surprise that we've not seen more cover versions over the years. By our reckoning, this is only the second, following the release of The Gene Dudley Group's heavy funk take in 2015. Cruisic's version is very different in tone, re-imagining the Norwegian's spiraling dancefloor epic as a shuffling jazz-funk workout where Terje's spiraling synthesizer lead lines are replayed on electric piano and flute. There are plenty of synths involved, but it's an altogether warmer and looser take on the anthem-like original. Slowly provides the obligatory B-side remix, turning Cruisic's version into a jaunty summer synth-dub workout with a touch of dub disco flavour.

Review: Twilight is the latest piece by long time DJ, producer and remixer, Dominic Dawson. The Japanese label Flower, has released this single to 7" complete with a remix for the second side. The title track is a catchy and funky house track that while the remix is a bit more Balearic and beachy. Both versions have their place in any house setlist and will set the tone for any eclectic DJ set. With the DJing background Dominic has, he is a great guide to setting the mood with music. Like the title artwork suggests, this is perfect music to watch the sun go down to.

Review: So the legend goes: Tokyo dance music aficionados DJs Nori, Fukuba, Alex From Tokyo, and Kenji Hasegawa came together sometime in 2003, with but one ultimate goal: to bring together, in their own words, the best music, with the best sound system, the best hospitality, by the best management staff, in the best location. The result was Gallery Connection, a venue and soundsystem situated right next to Omotesando station, in the the heart of the city's upscale cultural rampart, Harajuku. Famously held on Sunday afternoons, this dream team's party is once again started with two reissued versions of their original CD fixture and DJ set go-to, 'Smile', flaunting its stylistic versatility: a signature Balearic-scenic Shibuya-kei track that resounds in memory as the time-honoured party's de facto theme tune.

Review: 'Before You Walk Out Of My Life' isa single taken from ONEGRAM's 2021 album Random Access Music. The album arrived exactly a decade after the Japanese reggae band first formed and is their fourth in all. This single shows off its most charming tune, with flowery motifs, sunny pads and a lazy and rolling reggae beat all topped by pure and innocent vocals. On the flip, DJ WATARAI remixes 'Ooo La La La' into a slightly more club-ready tune with fat broken beats.

Review: With big links to Giles P and the Soil & Pimp crew, Quasimode need no introduction. Fresh off touring their Magic Ensemble LP they're back with four brand new jazz workouts. Polished and primed with their trademark power-lounge flavour, each cut sizzles with off-beat soul and swinging grooves. "Summer Madness" freaks gently like a polite Fatback Band demo. "Give It Up Turn It Loose" rides with more of a boogie groove. "Los Conquistadores Chocolate" is the most purist jazz number of the set with epic vibraphone walks and endless weaves of heady percussion. "Slow Motion" ends on a jazz-pop note with some of the sweetest harmonies they've ever put to wax. A true delight!