Heisei No Oto: Japanese Left Field Pop From The CD Age 1989-1996 CD

Having previously delivered ocean-deep compilations dedicated to Brazilian electronic music, '90s ambient and "deviant European pop" of the 1980s, Music From Memory has now joined forces with crate diggers Eji Taniguchi and Norio Sato to shine a light on leftfield Japanese pop, all of which was initially released on CD between 1989 and '96. The showcased music is actually far more diverse than you might expect; while undeniably synthesizer heavy with ample use of drum machines, stylistically the set flits between ambient, new age, electronica, deep synth-pop, breakbeat-sporting post-house dance-pop and what we in Europe might describe as "Balearica". It's an eye-opening collection all told, but one that's genuinely packed to the rafters with slept-on, must-have gems.

Manu Archeo, Juno Recommends Leftfield