With December here, Ban Ban Ton Ton is looking back on the musical year. Since Japanese superstition holds 7 as her luckiest number, we’re gonna try to keep each selection tight to this total, in the hope that our conjuring of 7 X 7 X 7 X … will collectively manifest some magic for 2025. You may witness some attempts to creatively bend the rules, blur / invent genres and rinse formats, in order to squeeze in as many great releases as possible… 

For me personally, this year’s musical obsessions have been dub and post-rock. Taikokissie & Dub Passengers’ E.P. Tepid Sunshine came along and seemed to tick each box. I’d noticed the 10” arrive at Newtone Records, but with money a tad tight, the clips hadn’t convinced me to purchase. It was the enthusiasm of Tom at Dubwise Vinyl that encouraged me to take another closer listen. When I dropped Taikokissie a line it turned out that he was indeed a fan of outfits such as  Tortoise, H.I.M. and The Dylan Group. As welll as Jah Wobble and Nils Petter Molvaer. Here Taikokissie shares 7 of is own favourite releases from the last 12 months. 

Super selections and wonderful words by Taikokissie. 

From 2019, when my first album was released, to my second album in 2024, it was a period during which I felt many hardships and changes – due to relocation and starting a family. Although I’m not currently performing much, I’m very happy with the response I’ve received to my music. It gives me great encouragement in my daily life. I would like to express my special gratitude to both Tom Dubwise and Dr. Rob.

Liam Bailey / Zero Grace

The production here is wonderful, evoking the early reggae of the 60s and 70s and heavy roots. I also like the tech dub flavour, which isn’t too heavy. Bailey’s expressive voice is the best. Also check Bailey’s collaboration with Blundeto, Heavy Soul. 

Tam Tam / Ramble In The Rainbow

TAMTAM, which features my friends and musical collaborators  trumpeter Kyotaro Hori and bassist Haluna Ishigaki, has a collection of songs that could be described as paradise, nirvana, or the afterlife, and they feel a little removed from the hardships of life and romance in Tokyo. Good.

Andre Siqueira & Toninho Ferragutti / Valsas de Garoto

The sense of saudade that is felt in Brazil and its neighbouring countries is great to listen to any time. When I get tired of music with flashy drums and heavy effects, I come back to these acoustic-only songs.

Karate Boogaloo / Hold Your Horses

Karate Boogaloo and Surprise Chef are Australian treasures. I love their style of performance, which focuses on basic riffs and rhythms. They are rare in that they focus on a sober, cool, wabi-sabi style, rather than the hustle and bustle of funk.

Blue Material / Reasonings

The intense breakbeats and techno pop feel of their earlier works are toned down, but their music is still sweet and charming. Blue Material .. ohh… River Tiber, BBNG, etc., Canada is awesome!

Calm Quite Knowing & Orchestra Gold / A Star Nebulous

A lively, heart-warming psychedelic dub rock soundscape. American yet African. It seems to go even further than the desert blues of Mali. Recommended for those who just can’t get enough of Tinariwen.

Taikokissie & Dub Passengers’ Tepid Sunshine is out now on I Like Your Anger.