Various - Showa 64 CD

Japan, January 7th 1989 - The Last Emperor 'Hirohito' dies. The period known as 'Showa' drew to a close, thus ending an era that saw Japan develop from a small nation of farmers to a world economic and technological superpower. Showa 64 is the last year of Hirohito's reign but the start of a profound change economically, culturally and musically.

Showa 64 takes music from 1975 to 1999 that was recorded by Japanese artists including Ryuichi Sakamoto, U.F.O., Monday Michiru, Pizzicato 5 and DJ Krush with remixes by Ian O' Brien, Takada, Fumiya Tanaka and more.

There is new homegrown talent from Creation, Keen, Utsumi and more. There are also some undiscovered gems from the Nippon vault by Kiyoshi Yamada (true Japanese fusion of traditional sounds and jazz) and a wicked jazz vocal from Anne Young - in demand from Giles Peterson to Jazzanova but as rare as hen's teeth.

But this is not just a jazz LP. It ranges from house (check the Disco Dub Band's working of 'For the Love Of Money', Creaction's Drum & Bass take on M&M Production as well as the abstract beats of Ryuichi Sakamoto (responsible for influencing Techno bands like the Advent) until now has never been officially released in the UK since its 1980 debut.

Showa 64, the first project of its type, painstakingly compiled over three years by the Disorient crew and showcasing a variety of styles and sounds. Giving fresh ears a perfect introduction to the East and well tuned ears the hardest, newest exclusives on the underground scene.

NB. The tracklist on the CD differs to the double vinyl LP version

Tracklist

1. Snakeman Show - KDD - My Company Is Called listen
2. Ryuichi Sakamoto - Riot In Lagos listen
3. Pizzicato Five - Porno 3003 listen
4. World Famous - Sound Sniper In Sri-Lanka listen
5. Sugizo - Shangri-la Of The Europa (DJ Krush Remix) listen
6. Kiyoshi Yamaya - Osorezan (Ghost Mountain) listen
7. Miyazawa - Anjos (Irmãos) (Utsumi's Bahia n' Bass Mix) listen
8. M&M Productions - Afternoon Stroll (Ian O'Brien Re-master Mix) listen
9. Anne Young & Yuji Ohno Trio - Speak Low listen
10. Dimitri From Tokyo - Toujours L'Amore listen
11. Snakeman Show - Ai No Noi listen
12. Snakeman Show - Ai No Tabidachi listen
13. Cornelius - Mic Check listen
14. Tycoon Tosh - Country House (Do You Want A Horse Riding? Extended Version) listen
15. Ashley Beedle - Urbanization / In Country (Last Summer Madness Remix) listen
16. Snakeman Show - Donguri Koro Koro listen
17. Dimitri From Tokyo - Plastic Woman (Dimitri's French Dub) listen
18. Disco Dub Band - For The Love Of Money (Toshiyuki Goto Remix Featuring Monday Michiru) listen
19. United Future Organization - Off Road (Karafuto Remix) listen
20. Keen - Last Tango In Tokyo listen
21. M&M Productions - Gypsy Heart (Creaction Remix) listen
22. Snakeman Show - I Like Japan listen
23. Crue-l Grand Orchestra - Time & Days (Harvey Re-master Mix) listen
24. Snakeman Show - Kore Nandesuka listen