One of the most absorbing, engulfing compilations you'll hear all year"

Melody Maker *****

Japan, January 7th 1989: the Last Emperor of the Old Skool died. The period known as Showa drew to a close, thus ending an era that saw Japan develop from a small nation of farmers to a world economic and technological superpower. Showa 64 is the last year of Hirohito's reign but the start of a profound change economically, culturally and musically.

Showa 64 takes music from 1975 to 1999 that was recorded by Japanese featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto, U.F.O., Monday Michiru, Pizzicato 5 and DJ Krush with remixes by Ian O' Brien, Takada, Fumiya Tanaka etc. There is new homegrown talent from Creaction (remixing Monday Michiru), Keen (one half of the Jazz Brothers), Utsumi (Disorient's own) and more. There are also some undiscovered gems from the Nippon vault by Kiyoshi Yamada (true Japanese fusion of traditional sounds and jazz) and a wicked jazz vocal from Anne Young in demand from Giles Peterson to Jazzanova but rare as hen's teeth.

But this is not just a jazz LP. Ranging from house (check the Disco Dub Band's working of "For the Love Of Money", Creaction's drum and bass take on M&M Production (played by 4 Hero on dub plate) as well as the abstract beats of Ryuichi Sakamoto (responsible for influencing Techno bands like the Advent, and appears on almost everyones playlist (but until now has never been officially released in the UK since its 1980 debut).

SHOWA 64, the first project of its type, painstakingly compiled over three years by the Disorient crew and showcasing a variety of styles and sounds. Giving fresh ears a perfect introduction to the East and well tuned ears the hardest, newest exclusives on the underground scene.

SUSHI19