Stay or Go (R&B Tech House Mix)

Tinashe x Challengers (ANZU Edit)

Tracklist: 
1. Gizoku - So Inagawa
2. Right to be Free - Susumu Yokota
3. Rare Happiness - Hunee
4. Fuyuukan - Shinichiro Yokota
5. Afternoon - Yuji Takenouchi

Introducing ANZU Radio! Each episode will explore a different genre, in which I'll take you on a sonic journey, sharing five handpicked tracks and a bit of ethnomusicology.

Japanese house emerged in the 1990s as a distinctive subgenre influenced by Chicago house music. In the late 1970s, House music was born out of disco, providing a crucial space for Black and queer communities during a time of social upheaval and persecution. Influenced by pioneering artists like Frankie Knuckles, a Black and queer DJ known as the godfather of house, the genre was created by combining disco rhythms with electronic drum elements. House reflects the contributions of Black and LGBTQ artists who transformed nightlife into a vibrant, inclusive haven for self-expression and cultural resistance.

When House reached the shores of Japan, local musicians added their own twist to house music by incorporating samples from the ocean and instruments such as taiko drums, the shamisen (a three-stringed traditional instrument), and the shakuhachi (a bamboo flute), creating a unique sound that reflected their cultural heritage. In the 1990s, Japan also emerged as a powerhouse in music technology. Japanese hardware, including synthesizers and drum machines, began to reshape the landscape of music production. Brands like Roland, Yamaha, and Korg and iconic synthesizers such as the TR-808 and TB-303 played a pivotal role in defining and shaping the sounds of many electronic, dance, and hip hop songs we know today. 

This week’s radio mix showcases Japanese house and minimal techno, where minimalism meets joyful, groove-heavy rhythms. Expect intricate sound design and sunny, lush percussive beats that invite introspection and movement.

ANZU

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