Kawasaki Japan 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Cro-Magnon's 2010 album 4U has plenty of stunning pieces on it, but of course a collaboration between Japan's eminent jazz funk outfit and grandmaster Roy Ayers was going to be a particularly special moment. DJ Kawasaki has taken the track for a ride and pressed the results onto 7", keeping the vibe intact but eking the track out with blissful results. For those who just want the groove, there's the instrumental on the flip so you can trip out on Ayer's stunning vibraphone playing.

Review: Japan's DJ Kawasaki links up with Monday Michuru for a new house come disco tune that is full of big vocal delights. The funky riffs are knotted and infectious, the rickety rhythm section nice and loose and the synth motifs all filled with charm and colour, It's a perfectly feel good tune that will make you dance any woes away. On the flip, New York legend and Kind of the Edits, Danny Krivit steps up with an extended edit that is jam packed with noodling piano solos and a more bristling, Latin tinged percussive element.

Review: Miomatic is a new solo project by Mio Fujimura, the trombone player for fabled Japanese producer DJ Kawasaki. Dropping the 8th single on Kawasaki's self-named label, this split 7" shows off the trombonist's extensive chops at both original songwriting and performing cover versions, respectively. The A-side, 'Power Of The Light', is a Miomatic original, blending funk and glitz for an instrumental, bass-slapping piece showing off the artist's chops that came of age at Tokyo cafe, venue and bar The Room. 'Step Into Our Life' is a squelching cover of Wayne Henderson's original, originally produced with soul staple Roy Ayers.