Since Steve Bug first discovered him in 2007, Ryo Murakami has been busy giving Japan’s techno scene a good name. Following close on the heels of his deep and dubby Lost It EP, the producer has delivered yet another aural treat from Tokyo. Rarely do house singles have the coherence and consistency found on this release. Put simply, this is just good stuff. The three tracks fit together like the matching pieces of a china set: the slow and sultry title track is the bulbous tea pot, steeping some seriously deep house grooves; the remix is the flare-rimmed teacup, delicately endowed with fresh organic drums; “Untitled” is the wide-mouthed sugar dish, full of party sweets. Each piece earns its distinctive place in the set.
Author Archive: Sarah Joy Murray
Brandt Brauer Frick, Wallah/Button
January 18, 2010 – 11:01 PM
If you don’t already know the names, nota bene: this three-man acoustic techno team is one part Paul Frick (classically trained musician cum dance music producer) and two parts Scott (aka Dan Brandt and Jan Brauer). After only a handful of releases — all noteworthy — the hubbub surrounding this trio means that each new addition will be met with great expectations. Here, although their self-recorded acoustic sounds are ripe for the picking, the group falls slightly short of their soulful reputation.
V/A, Return of the Samurai Parts One & Two
August 4, 2009 – 10:01 PM
Not yet a year since the release of the first “Tsuba Samurai EP”, the London house label offers up a sequel, “Return of the Samurai.” Though this two-part release brings a keeper to the bin, three remaining tracks are compilation fodder — representative, likable, but altogether unmemorable. Despite its too-restrained style, “Return of the Samurai” is altogether a practice in good taste.