Asa-Chang & Junray - Jun Ray Song Chang (Leaf) 2002
This made it to #4 in The Wire's 2002 top 50 list (if that sort of thing makes you respect things more). It's a weirdzo cross-ethnicity hybrid of live tabla (by Asa-Chang) and electronics with elaborate triggers (Junreitronics) developed by Hidehiko Urayama (who never appears in live performance). The tabla sound is present acoustically, but it also sets off samples of voice and other sounds that lock to the rhythm, creating a tight-knit yet disorienting soundscape. The album eludes classification, containing elments from but not conforming to techno, world music, abstract electronics. Not necessarily easy listening, but intriguing enough to easily absorb your attention.
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Masayo Asahara - Saint Agnes Fountain (Discus) 2003
Masayo Asahara - Saint Catherine Torment (Discus) 2005
This is an invented alter-ego of Discus label boss Martin Archer to try on another skin and create a slightly different version of his prog-rock inflected experimental jazz. Both releases are competent in the explorations, but neither significantly deviate or stand out from the Discus herd.
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Koji Asano - Sunshine Filtering Through… (Solstice) 1999
Koji Asano - Monsoon (Solstice) 1999
Koji Asano - Giant Squid (Solstice) 2003
Koji Asano - Wind Gauge (Solstice) 2003
Koji Asano - Zoo Telepathy (Solstice) 2003
Koji Asano - Sanctuary on Reclaimed… (Solstice) 2005
Koji Asano - Takoyakikun (Solstice) 2005
If Koji Asano were a criminal he would provide a momentous task for investigators to profile... being incredibly prolific and equally eclectic. Releasing over 40 albums in the last decade (not necessarily unheard-of in experimental circles) he restlessly crosses genres from solo prepared piano, to electroacoustic compostion, to small ensemble chamber music, to progressive rock and traditional Japanese themes. Predictably not all the releases are equally engaging, but they all are approached with a level of dedication to the project. My favourite from the above is probably Monsoon, a four track exploration of sparse prepared piano.
