Parktone Japan 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Inokashira Rangers are kwon around the world as a legendary group of Hammond-heavy reggae masters with a fine knack for laying down big cover versions. Their take on 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was recently reissued to great acclaim recently and now we get two more gems. First is Radiohead's 'Creep' which has haunting leads and echoing pads capturing the freaky vibe of the original. There is a more laidback vibe on the flip with 'I'm Not In Love' which has noodling synths and lazy drum loops sinking you in deep.

Review: Over the last decade, Inokashira Rangers have proved that you can turn pretty much any track - whether it's a TV theme tune, rave banger or grunge classic - into a reggae or rocksteady gem if you know what you're doing. They're at it again on their latest "45", which opens with a storming, largely instrumental reggae-soul version of Edwin Starr's 1968 soul classic '25 Miles'. Their version - full of reverb-laden drums, fuzzy organ motifs, mazy solos, warming bass and JB's guitars - is naturally hugely different to Starr's version, but recognisably the same song. Their flipside take on Spinners' classic 'It's a Shame' is rather more difficult, with the trio slowing it down to a skanking reggae crawl while retaining the familiar melodic refrain.

Review: Inokasira Rangers is a reggae band from Tokyo who've been around since the 1990s, but they're hardly (criminally) known outside of Japan. Their latest release, 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You,' promises to change that, covering Frankie Valli's timely original from the late '60s, not to mention Crystal Waters' dance-pop hit on the B. A Shibuya-kei sensibility runs through this sweet pair of covers, but the main mode is lo-fi reggae. The Waters cover is particularly charming, as if this were the original, and the song had existed as a folk song for generations prior to the glitzy rave version.

Review: Japan's brilliantly curious but highly listenable Inokashira Ranger band has covered everything in imaginable in their storied 10-year-plus career. Now they turn to The Nolans for some buttery lovers' rock with a warm and familiar edge. 'I'm In The Mood For Dancing' biomes a rolling rhythm with bright Hammond chords and swaggering riffs. The vocal comes from Yuima Enya and is nice and sweet and soulful. 'Central Freeway' on the flip is a smiler-sounding tune with easy-going drum sways and effortless cool vocals.

Review: Inokashira Rangers are renowned for their ska/reggae covers of some of the world's best-known songs, with versions of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Creep' and 'I'm Not In Love', all laid to sweet 7" over the years. Here they team up with regular collaborating singer Sofia Manari, who takes centre stage in covering two J-pop classics closer to home. 'Love Squall', originally written by jazz great Yuji Ohno, hears a vocal rendition, while Mariya Takeuchi's 'Plastic Love' gets a similarly jubilant reworking on the B.

Review: Hailing from Japan, the Cat Boys is a lounge funk band that has earned praise from Gilles Peterson. In 2023, they rose anew as Super Cats and unleashed their debut album under the same name. Inspired by 90s acid jazz, Sly Stone, and gospel, the album offers a soulful and funky journey while Yuima Enya's vocals, which come both in Japanese and English, add extra layers of enchantment. Tracks range from funky rap compositions to soul tunes, a psychedelic dub of Chaka Khan's hit, and a Japanese rendition of Roberta Flack's 'Feel Like Makin' Love.' With synth-driven disco and crossover house, the album explores melancholy and purity in alluring fashion.