Cristian Sarde
Last E EP

SAISEI founder Junki Inoue continues his vital archival work uncovering the riches of Japan’s distinctive electronic music scene and bringing them to new audiences around the world. The Sounds Of Transonic compiles six tracks recorded in Tokyo between 1991 and 1995 and released by the pioneering Transonic label, founded in 1994 by Kazunao Nagata and active until 2004.Transonic’s catalogue is a glittering roll call of the scene’s major players, whose inventive and genre-blending work established forward-thinking house and techno in Japan in a way that would shape the country’s electronic sound for years to come. Transonic was instrumental in giving exposure to the work of these artists with its emblematic series of CD compilations, released over a short couple of years in the mid 90s. Beginning with 970-1450km/h, Feedback and Range, the series also included The Roots Of Transonic, featuring music from parent label Trigger. Alongside these compilations came much sought-after solo albums each packaged with striking cover art that makes the discs a visual treat for collectors to this day.The Sounds Of Transonic brings together six tracks from the catalogue into one breath-taking package. The influence of hi-tech jazz and machine funk from Detroit is undeniable in ‘Dream Trance’ (Mind Design) and ‘Blasting Soul’ (Interferon), while ‘Under The Ground’ (Palomatic) and ‘Chelsea’ (Suzukiski) are permeated by the artificial intelligence and trip hop emanating from the UK at the time. The compilation is bookended by two tracks by Nagata himself (as Organization): ‘Space Ball’, a Model 500-worthy chase through the cosmos, and ‘Call’, an eerie echo of Kraftwerk’s telephone, transmitting expectantly out into the void and, finally, receiving its celestial answer.With The Sounds Of Transonic these formative pieces of music will now be available internationally and, for the first time, on vinyl.SAISEI is a Japanese word which translates to ‘reproduction’ and ‘to play’ (as in playing records). Japanese culture is widely known for its traditional nature just as much as it is for being forward into the future and this label’s concept does justice to exactly that. Having started digging for records as early as 16 years old, Inoue delved into productions from 1990s Japan to uncover these native gems. SAISEI’s core concept is to recapture and reintroduce unique pieces of Japanese electronic music onto vinyl, to an audience it never reached before as most of this music was only released in Japan.

Frankfurt based duo not even noticed is up next on Chat Noir Rec !not even noticed is a project dedicated to broken beats, dreamy pads and ravy sounds, founded in early 2020 while the world was going crazy due to the corona virus. The Persistent Textures EP catches several vibes that not even noticed stands for with liquid acid lines in Quaisen and Backyard Dreams, dreamy pads in Backyard Dreams and a rave feel in Access Mode.

Robotic and cybernetic house music, trance tainted for this new various artist.Steroid rhythms, tribal percussions and mechanic sequences are dealing with distorted synth riffs and transcendental pads.Perfect OST for futuristic cities dancefloors, funky cyborgs, weird aliens, space mutants and humanoids dancing and having communion together in this big melting pot, creating the diversity and the particular sound of the megacity.For this third vinyl, Dynamiterie records artists are painting a wacky and fun dystopia.

New imprint Distant Waters, from Nantes, France is an ode to high seas, far away oceanic lands and unknown marine wildlife. Co-founder of the label, Sans Sucre, who released previously on Antam records and Planet Tapes offer this first EP from Distant Waters. The A1 of this four-track EP, Tetrodoxin, is the starting point of the aquatic story, with whales samples and aquatic groove, it fit perfectly to warm up a wet dance-floor. A2, Aqualung is inspired by asian groove, with some tastes of Yellow Magic Orchestra matching with 303 elements. The B-side follows up with Sequential Hermaphrodism, A downbeat track with an heavy hip hop inspired bassline. Then it finish with Ampullae Of Lorenzini, the most dancefloor oriented track of the EP, with a mysterious sweet voice.

On the A-side, infectious beats and stabbing organs with waves of progressive nostalgia, on the B-side the exploration of breakbeat realms and soundscapes, interspersed with 80s electro elements. Elephant Moon returns !