One of my favourite new Japanese releases this year was the result of a collaboration between Osaka-based acid and dub maestro Akio Nagase and the Okinawan singer and sanshin player Yukino Inamine. Their 世果報藍風 (Yugafu Ai Kaji) came care of Harajuku label, Glocal, and was an album of re-imagined Ryuku folk songs from Yukino’s homeland. Where trippy, psychedelic electronics surrounded and synergised with tradition. Sometimes taking them out onto the dance floor. It seemed rude not to ask Akio and Yukino for a few of their own favourite releases from the past 12 months.
Words and music by Yukino Inamine & Akio Nagase
Suzumeno Tears / Kawaigaranse (HARIKUYAMAKU Remix)
The arrangement blends traditional Japanese folk elements with live instrumentation. Harikuyama’s remix takes electronics and tradition to the next level, masterfully fusing them in a way distinct from his usual Okinawan musical themes.
Sakaki Mango / Chawanmushi No Cumbia (Akio Nagase Masterfeel Acid Edit）
The original recording dates back to 2011. Sakaki Mango, a thumb piano player and African music researcher, created this unique piece by transforming a traditional folk song about chawanmushi—a Japanese comfort food passed down through generations in Kagoshima Prefecture—into a cumbia rhythm. This year, it was reworked by me and released as a 7-inch vinyl record.
Om Unit / Acid Dub Versions III
This series achieves a perfect fusion of ACID and DUB. There’s no doubt that acid house, dub, and reggae formed the roots of the sounds that shaped the core of rave culture as it developed across Europe—indeed, the entire world—from the late 80s to the early 90s. From the perspective of summarising the post-rave era, I believe this series, which OM UNIT has passionately pursued over the past few years, is an extremely important work.
浮 / てぃんさぐぬ花 (Buoy / Tinsagu Nu Hana)
Her prayer’s vibration, beautiful and cleansing, will save you. Healed, dissolved, lives connected beyond all boundaries. Though we exist in opposing worlds, this song gently embraces us— reminding us that humans, nature, animals, and even God all live together on one Earth.
I often find that the Ainu songs sung by MAREWREW sound like the sacred chants of Miyako Island in Okinawa. I feel a profound connection between Japan’s north and south. Through DJ Koze’s dazzlingly woven melodies, a pure white scene instantly emerges, chasing after loving moments spent with lovers and family. It’s such a romantic and mysterious song.
Chaponasia / ブギ丸とでべそ (Bugimaru to Debeso)
CHANPON (the art of blending different elements naturally) × ASIA = CHAPONASIA. The lyrics flowing from rapper Bugimaru, who cultivates rice and brews sake, are a celebratory fusion of Japanese tradition and modernity. Combined with Debeso’s unique worldview, it brilliantly expresses a new sound of ASIA. A song that makes you aware of Japan’s current messed-up situation and wakes you up. I also joined the chorus for the refrain. ‘~♩ I don’t care about this or that, but let’s be friends right here, right now~♩’
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