Bukowski 1000 Knives

Ryuichi Sakamoto's first solo album appeared before he formed Yellow Magic Orchestra in late 1978, after the young keyboardist had earned his M.A. in music from Tokyo University. Six long instrumentals make up this CD, but apart from a taste for Asian-sounding synth lines, they hint at very little of what was to come in YMO. "Thousand Knives" is a long disco-lite jazzy workout with a very un-synthesized guitar solo by Kazumi Watanabe (who would later join YMO on tour and have his solo album produced by Sakamoto)…

Ryuichi Sakamoto's first solo album appeared before he formed Yellow Magic Orchestra in late 1978, after the young keyboardist had earned his M.A. in music from Tokyo University. Six long instrumentals make up this CD, but apart from a taste for Asian-sounding synth lines, they hint at very little of what was to come in YMO. "Thousand Knives" is a long disco-lite jazzy workout with a very un-synthesized guitar solo by Kazumi Watanabe (who would later join YMO on tour and have his solo album produced by Sakamoto). Side two's "Da Neue Japanische Electronische Volkslied" and "The End of Asia" (later revamped in YMO) are closest to the new wave of Japanese electronic music that he would spawn. "Island of Woods" and "Grasshoppers" trade in rhythm for sound landscapes, and the sort of cheeriness that would pop up later in Sakamoto's childrens movie scores. Harry Hosono turns up on one track, and generally the album is a pleasant, if unadventurous, listen.

New album! Shortly before their 20th anniversary, the Viennese cult band unleash 15 new songs on the crowd that has been hungry for two years. The wide corset of their current stylistic range has little in common with the gloomy Psychobilly of the early days: The avowed horror, B-movie and trash fans play extremely accomplished hard and atmospheric dark rock, which adapts to punk, rock with playful ease. nRoll, Hard Rock and Gothic elements served. The quintet naturally draws richly from historical and fictional horror stories, but also likes to pack snappy systemic criticism into the lyrics ("Off With Their Heads!"). The songs always remain catchy and are crowned by hymn-like choruses - the Misfits school unites perfectly with shock rock legends such as Alice Cooper or W.A.S.P. The perfect soundtrack for a foggy walk at Vienna's central cemetery!

"NEUE TANZ" (Neue Tanz)" is an anniversary compilation that was supervised by TOWA TEI selection songs. From the latest alpha era musical group including member solo works, this 16 songs pickup the YMO you want to hear from TOWA TEI's unique perspective. Ryoutoku Sandhara is the way to remastering all songs. The cover artwork is held by TOMOO GOKITA, a popular pop artist who has earned worldwide recognition in recent years.

Serpentine return with their third album, a lineup change and a change in sound that makes for their strongest album to date. First up is new member Adam Payne who takes the reigns on vocal duties on this album after previous frontman, the well known Tony Mills, departed the band. Payne’s vocals are completely different from Mills’ which alone give this album a much different sound then the band’s previous releases. Secondly bassist Gareth Vanstone has also departed the band and in his place behind the drumkit is Owen Crawford, who does a great job on the record.