Kumo No Muko: A Journey Into 80s Japan's Ambient & Synth Pop Sound vinyl

Since so many European labels have been reissuing lost and obscure 1980s Japanese ambient albums of late, it was probably inevitable that at least one label would put together a compilation paying tribute to the sound. It turns out that Jazzy Couscous has won the race with Kumo No Moko, a superb double album that does a terrific job in putting Japan's '80s ambient scene in context. As you'd expect, the majority of the tracks feature either dreamy electronic sounds or a mixture of acoustic and electronic instrumentation, with nods to jazz coming thick and fast. There are naturally a couple of fairly well-known names on show, but for the most part the compilers have done a terrific job in highlight lesser-known tracks from unsung heroes.

Lexx, Manu Archeo, Little Beat Different, Juno Recommends Leftfield, Kenneth Bager // Musicfordreams, Roberto S, RSS Disco, Juno Recommends Ambient/Drone