Ryuichi Sakamoto - Grasshoppers (1978)

Meitei's "Heiwa": A Musical Exploration of Hiroshima's Non-Verbal Realm

Meitei, an acclaimed artist from Hiroshima Prefecture, unveils his latest composition, "Heiwa." Inspired by his upbringing and the profound impact of peace education, Meitei takes listeners on a captivating sonic journey through the history and emotions of Hiroshima.

Timed to coincide with the anniversary of the devastating atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, “Heiwa" is an unconventional composition, depicting the tragedy and resilience of Hiroshima's people. Meitei's music transcends language and symbolism, capturing the intangible aspects of his experiences. The result is an ambient soundscape that embodies his personal understanding of Hiroshima's non-verbal realm.

Unlike traditional peace-themed music prevalent in Hiroshima, Meitei offers a unique perspective on the city from his own vantage point. While recognizing the importance of preserving musical qualities and history, he ventures into the internal realms of the human senses. Through his music, Meitei conveys unspoken emotions and the sensory value of objects, redefining his interpretation of "ambient". Meitei's approach to “Heiwa” embraces individual expression and serves as a powerful conduit for his personal longing for peace while graphically representing the scars inflicted upon Hiroshima.

Within this composition, listeners will encounter a melancholic tone reminiscent of the ashen atmosphere that once permeated the city. Meitei skillfully infuses a tangible materiality into the melodic lines, symbolizing the lingering scent of a city scorched and burned. These elements amalgamate into a captivating auditory experience that carries an unmistakable sense of presence. By intertwining historical awareness and personal interpretation, Meitei invites listeners to explore the non-verbal realms of human emotion and sensory perception.

"Heiwa" is available for streaming on major platforms on 6 August, 2023. The track is the first single of Meitei's upcoming album, "Kofū III," slated for release in Autumn 2023 via KITCHEN. LABEL.

Meitei - Heiwa

Some old easy listening using samples from a movie soundtrack scored by Ryuichi Sakamoto. It’s a genre shift but something I’ve loved experimenting around with since I heard the music of the late Nujabes. This track features some vocal work done by myself and my friend Sachiko. I’m very surprised at how much attention this got, especially with Call of Duty 4 montage videos haha. Enjoy!

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Ryuichi Sakamoto - Mill Theme (Robotaki Remix)

Flickering Stars - Cloud Rap Instrumental Beat

my cat

Despite his status as a key figure in the history of Japanese ambient music, Hiroshi Yoshimura's music remains tragically under-known outside of his home country. Empire of Signs – a new imprint co-helmed by Maxwell August Croy and Spencer Doran – is proud to reissue Yoshimura's debut Music for Nine Postcards for the first time outside Japan in collaboration with Hiroshi's widow Yoko Yoshimura, with more fully licensed reissues of Hiroshi's work to follow in the future.

Working initially as a conceptual artist, the musical side of Yoshimura's artistic practice came to prominence in the post-Fluxus scene of late 1970s Tokyo alongside Akio Suzuki and Takehisa Kosugi, taking many subsequent turns within Japan’s bubble economy afterward. His sound works took on many forms - commissioned fashion runway scores, soundtracking perfume, soundscapes for pre-fab houses, train station sound design - all existing not as side work but as logical extensions of his philosophy of sound. His work strived for serenity as an ideal, and this approach can be felt strongly on Music for Nine Postcards.

Home recorded on a minimal setup of keyboard and Fender Rhodes, Music for Nine Postcards was Yoshimura’s first concrete collection of music, initially a demo recording given to the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art to be played within the building's architecture. This was not mere background music in the prior Japanese “BGM” sense of the word, but “environmental” music, the literal translation of the Japanese term kankyō ongaku [環境音楽] given to Brian Eno’s “ambient” music when it arrived in late 70's Japan. Yoshimura, along with his musical co-traveler Satoshi Ashikawa, searched for a new dialog between sound and space, a new way of listening: sound not as an absolute, but as something that interlocks with a physical environment and shifts the listener’s experience within it. Erik Satie's furniture music, R. Murray Schafer's concept of the soundscape and Eno’s ambience all greatly informed their work,  but the specific form of tranquil stasis presented on releases like Nine Postcards is still difficult to place within a specific tradition, remaining elusive and idiosyncratic despite the economy of it's construction. This record offers the perfect introduction to Hiroshi's unique and beautiful worldview: it's one that can be listened to - and lived in - endlessly.

Music for Nine Post Cards

Hiroshi Yoshimura (吉村弘) - "Dance PM" from Music for Nine Post Cards (EOS01) OUT 11/17/2017

Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - By This River

Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto - Berlin ( D.S.edit 121221 )

I play what I transcribe:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yg4664sya89wqmf/Perspective.pdf

ryuichi sakamoto perspective (self duo)

[re-jazz] Ryuichi Sakamoto - Bibo No Aozora

Apple Music
https://music.apple.com/jp/album/magic-hour/1570926573

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/1OoQkcRJonsT1nluNMbZtd

Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto - Berlin ( D.S.edit 121221 )

Davido Sylviani