Various - Showa 64 LP

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 LP differs to the CD version and is unfortunately out of print

Tracklist

1. Snakeman Show - KDD - My Company Is Called listen
2. Kiyoshi Yamaya - Osorezan (Ghost Mountain) listen
3. Pizzicato Five - Porno 3003 listen
4. Ryuichi Sakamoto - Riot In Lagos listen
5. World Famous - Sound Sniper In Sri-Lanka listen
6. Sugizo - Shangri-la Of The Europa (DJ Krush Remix) listen
7. Miyazawa - Anjos (Irmãos) (Utsumi's Bahia n' Bass Mix) listen
8. Anne Young & Yuji Ohno Trio - Speak Low listen
9. Dimitri From Tokyo - Toujours L'Amore listen
10. Snakeman Show - Ai No Tabidachi listen
11. Cornelius - Mic Check listen
12. United Future Organization - Off Road (Karafuto Remix) listen
13. Keen - Last Tango In Tokyo listen
14. Snakeman Show - Donguri Koro Koro listen
15. Ashley Beedle - Urbanization / In Country (Last Summer Madness Remix) listen
16. Disco Dub Band - For The Love Of Money (Toshiyuki Goto Remix Featuring Monday Michiru) listen
17. Crue-l Grand Orchestra - Time & Days (Harvey Re-master Mix) listen
18. Snakeman Show - Kore Nandesuka listen