A2. Silent Poets - Meaning In The Tone ('95 Space & Oriental) (snippet)

A3. Mind Design - Sun (snippet)

B1. Quadra - Phantom (snippet)

B2. Yasuaki Shimizu - Tamare Tamare (snippet)

B3. Ryuichi Sakamoto - Tibetan Dance (Version) (snippet)

C1. T.P.O. - Hiroshi's Dub (Tokyo Club Mix) (snippet)

C2. Okihide - Biskatta (snippet)

D1. Mondo Grosso - Vibe PM (Jazzy Mixed Roots) (remixed By Yoshihiro Okino) (snippet)

D3. C.T. Scan - Cold Sleep (The Door Into Summer) (snippet)

Tokyo DJ’s sonic memoir spanning two decades of life and music in Japan
Dive into the exhilarating era of Japan’s electronic dance music scene from the mid ’80s to the mid ’90s with Japan Vibrations Vol. 1. The hand-picked collection by DJ and musical storyteller Alex from Tokyo pays homage to the trailblazers and innovators who shaped the landscape.
Set for release this autumn, the compilation serves as a time capsule recording a vibrant point in Japan’s modern music history. Likewise, a love letter from someone who lived it. 
11 newly remastered tracks spanning ambient, downtempo, dub, world beats, deep house, new jazz, and techno. Together they showcase the creative ingenuity and energy of a paradisiac era marked by a symbiotic fusion of international sounds with distinctively Japanese influences.
Experience the vibrations of pioneers Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yasuaki Shimizu. Of culture-shaping forces Hiroshi Fujiwara, Kan Takagi, Susumu Yokota, Silent Poets, Mondo Grosso and Kyoto Jazz Massive. And of new-generation artists CMJK (C.T. Scan), Mind Design, Okihide, and Hiroshi Watanabe. The evolution of a scene, a moment, presented with the progression of a DJ set. 
Hi-fidelity remastering by sound engineer Isao Kumano (PHONON). License coordination by Ken Hidaka, album artwork by Takehiko Kitahara. Photography by Meisa Fujishiro and Beezer, and from Alex and friends’ personal collections. Pressed by Mother Tongue Records. Distribution by Rush Hour. Supported by Carhartt WIP.
Japan Vibrations Vol. 1 will transport listeners in time to energetic nights at Japan’s legendary club venues and delight with a spirited journey of musical discovery and reflection.

11. CT Scan - Cold Sleep (The Door Into Summer) (2023 Remaster)

10. PRISM - Velvet Nymph (2023 Remaster)

9. Mondo Grosso- VibePM (Jazzy Mixed Roots) (Remixed By Yoshihiro Okino) (2023 Remaster)

8. Okihide - Biskatta (2023 Remaster)

7. TPO - Hiroshi’s Dub (Tokyo Club Mix) (2023 Remaster)

6. Ryuichi Sakamoto - Tibetan Dance (Version) (2023 Remaster)

5. Yasuaki Shimizu - Tamare - Tamare (2023 Remaster)

4. QUADRA - Phantom (2023 Remaster)

3. Mind Design - Sun (2023 Remaster)

2. Silent Poets - Meaning In The Tone ('95 Space & Oriental) (2023 Remaster)

From the "Tokyo Black Star-Edo Express EP" (wf-002) to be released on vinyl in stores worldwide on November 2nd, 2015 through Complete USA

Paris-born, Tokyo-raised, New York-based international eclectic French DJ, music producer and sound designer Alex from Tokyo is very excited to announce the October 2015 launch of his record label "world famous" with a new Tokyo Black Star EP (the first release in three years)!

Working in harmony with music partner and sound/mastering engineer Isao Kumano in Tokyo, Alex from Tokyo formed Tokyo Black Star in 2000 while remixing Big Moses feat. Jan'elle's house classic "For you" for Kerri Chandler's label Bassmental records. Since then Tokyo Black Star has released five EPs including the first-ever release on high-profile Berlin label Innversions (the "Psyche Dance EP," 2005) and their full length debut album “Black Ships” (April 2009, also on Innervisions), an EP on DJ Deep’s Deeply Rooted House label and remixes for artists like Tony Allen (P-Vine records Japan, 1999), Carl Craig (Psyche “Neurotic Behavior” on Planet E, 2011), Phenomenal Handclap Band (Tummy Touch Records, 2013), Bing Ji Ling (Lovemonk), and Kuniyuki (mule music), and among others. 

Always looking for new challenges and sonic adventures, in the summer of 2010 the Tokyo Black Star duo were joined by top Japanese audio professionals at Isao’s studio in Tokyo, leading to the creation of a new “revolutionary” audio brand called phonon (www.phonon-inc.com), which makes exceptional pro-audio equipment for studio and DJ use. phonon has been getting lots of attention for their legendary studio monitoring headphones the SMB-02, and now, at the same time as the launch of the world famous label, phonon are releasing their brand new mobile hi-fi phonon 4000 headphones. The attention to detail shown in the production of these top class electronics is typical of the kind of the care and love Tokyo Black Star put into their productions and Alex from Tokyo displays in his much-respected always-joyous DJ sets around the world.

Tokyo Black Star's last release, in 2013, was a special musical contribution called "X"  for a unique celebratory 10th anniversary compilation for Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas fashion brand Y-3.  Alex from Tokyo co-directed the exclusive compilation which can be heard at www.Y-3.com/music. Early in 2014, Alex from Tokyo was chosen to compile Volume 10 of the great CD series "Originals" on the London label claremont 56. Shortly after, in the summer of 2014, Tokyo Black Star started to work again on some new original music with the help of their great musician/analog equipment otaku friend Kenichi Takagi. The collaboration was fruitful, leading to Kenichi san officially becoming the third Tokyo Black Star member, bringing along some of his favorite old, new and handmade (modular) synths into the mix.

The four different straight up house music club tracks here on the "Edo Express EP" showcase Alex from Tokyo's versatile and funky DJ style and come from a very special fun jam session that took place in January 2015 at Isao’s Tokyo Black Star and phonon studio with Kenichi. The stunning artwork for the release is done by long-time collaborator the very talented New York based Japanese artist Tomokazu Matsuyama, who has been creating the Tokyo Black Star visual identity since their first release on Innversions in 2005. Please note that this is the first release on world famous but the catalogue number is actually wf-002. 

Tokyo Black Star-Mitokomon

From the "Bing Ji Ling and Alex from Tokyo present..."(wf-003) to be released on vinyl in stores worldwide on March 21st, 2016 through Complete USA.

The multi-talented musician/producer Bing Ji Ling (www.bingjiling.com/Tummy Touch Records/Ubiquity Records/Lovemonk Records/Claremont 56) and DJ Alex from Tokyo (Tokyo Black Star)are very excited to share with you here as world famous' 2nd release(Bing Ji Ling and Alex from Tokyo present...(wf-003))a brand new, collaborative track “Not My Day”, that encapsulates their experience in New York, as well as their friendship. It’s been a few years in the making, but well worth the wait! Alex and Bing moved to New York around the same time, and met in a bar (filled with Loft heads) after one of David Mancuso’s Loft parties.  Bing recognized Alex’s voice from his weekly Shibuya FM radio show in Tokyo, and went up to introduce himself, being a fan. Turns out, they have many friends in common in New York, Tokyo, and beyond. They were instant friends; family. The track came out of several listening sessions from Bing’s basement studio in the East Village, where Alex shared some tracks he’d be digging, across a wide range of genres, eras, tempos, etc.. Everything was very easy, very natural…Back in Tokyo Alex and Isao bring their club vibe and remix the funky and groovy “Not My Day” into a magnifique electronic deep house anthem!

On the flip is Bing’s version of Lil Louis’ club classic “Lonely People” (selected by Gilles Peterson as one of his tracks of the year for his Worldwide Awards 2015) Alex has been playing non stop, providing along here his own DJ friendly Tokyo Black Star retouch club version. Bing’s version was originally recorded for his covers album called “Sunshine For Your Mind” that was first released in Japan on the label Rush Production. This album came about, after years of playing solo/acoustic covers with a looping pedal in Japan. Bing has since performed the song live in New York, London, and at Croatia’s Garden Festival with rave reviews! 

Bing Ji Ling and Alex now live just minutes from each other in New York City as well as the Catskills, and enjoy frequent meals, music and mountains. We hope you enjoy…Happy Spring!

Bing Ji Ling And Alex From Tokyo - Not My Day (Original Mix)

Artist: Tokyo Black Star
Title: Fantasy Live 1999
Label: world famous
Cat #: world famous 004
Release: June 24th, 2016

Unique 21st Century Galactic Samurai artists TOKYO BLACK STAR are a trio led by New York-based international DJ Alex from Tokyo; Tokyo-based sound engineer / music producer Isao Kumano; and man of mystery / analog equipment otaku / musician Kenichi Takagi.

Working from a unique and primarily Japanese perspective, Alex and Isao have been working together on music (and audio products) since the beginning of this century, first on remixes and tracks for compilations and later on EPs (their "Psyche Dance EP" was the first ever release on Dixon and Ame's Berlin based Innervisions imprint back in 2005) and even a high respected line of high end headphones / audio equipment (Phonon). Their first album (still as a duo) was "Black Ships" released in April 2009 by Innervisions. After touring live in Europe the duo started to look at new directions, Kenichi joined bringing another level of analog expertise (especially with his self-made modular synth) making his first appearance on record on the debut world famous label release last Fall - Tokyo Black Star's “Edo Express EP” which received a rave review at NPR for a atypical track - the afro-inspired "Mitokomon." Since then the trio's ship has advanced through the galaxy, absorbing and translating influences from around the solar system and beyond. Now the trio are back with "Fantasy Live 1999" a very special “voyage  sonore” in their true retro-futuristic style!

For the visual side of this album they have teamed up with their long-time collaborator, the very talented and widely acclaimed New York based Japanese artist Tomokazu Matsuyama who has been creating the Tokyo Black Star visual identity since their first release on Innversions in 2005.

In the spirit of long-form masterpieces like Göttsching's "E2-E4", this wonderful first album from the world famous imprint “Fantasy Live 1999” is an epic forty minute long meditative live audio painting for your “mind, body & soul” soundtracking the beautiful psychedelic mix of colors that is Matsuyama’s stunning cover painting. Conceived between 1999 and 2015, the genesis for the album, and the source of it's title is the fact it was started one legendary crazy night when the band tape-recorded an impromptu live performance at a basement bar in the groovy Shimokitazawa neighborhood in Tokyo where Alex used to live. The finished album is a result of further sessions recorded at Kenichi’s studio in Tokyo and mixed at the "phonon* studio in Tokyo last summer. Sit back, chillax and we hope you enjoy this trip! 

Tokyo Black Star- Fantasy Live 1999 (world Famous) Wf - 004 (MASTER)

AWIDA’s NYC Connexion EP tells a story—three stories in fact. In a trio of instrumental tracks, Alex from Tokyo and Willie Graff pay tribute to the places they love: New York City, Ibiza, and Berlin. Inspired by the unique soundscapes and club cultures of each city, the two DJ friends (who met while spinning records at NYC club Cielo in the mid-2000s) came together in late-night jam sessions at Darren Eboli’s studio in Tribeca to bring the soundscapes to life. That journey gave birth to AWIDA (A for Alex, WI for Willie, and DA for Darren), and world famous proudly presents the project’s first creation. The groove-inducing EP features Brooklyn’s Danilo Braca from The Sound of New York City on the mixing board and the artwork of top NYC artist ROSTARR from his epic painting “Eclipse Mars.”

AWIDA — NYC Connexion EP (world famous 005)

A.  Pompa Sonic (8:26)
B1. Tranz Mekanica (6:59)
B2. Cielo Dance (8:12)

Written and produced by Alex from Tokyo Prat, Willie Graff, and Darren Eboli at Studio Z, New York.

Mixed and Mastered by Danilo Braca at TSoNYC-The Sound of New York City tsonyc.com

Artwork: Eclipse Mars II by ROSTARR © 2012, Member of ARS NY. Artist Rights Society New York 

Release date;
Muting The Noise release date: vinyl and digital October 4th, 2019
https://www.mutingthenoise.com/music/nyc-connexion-ep
worldwide release date: October 18th, 2019

Distribution:
Muting The Noise (Berlin): Distribution@mutingthenoise.com 
Japan: intldept@diskunion.co.jp

B2 Cielo Dance

B1 Tranz Mekanica

A1 Pompa Sonic

B2. Tokyo Black Star - Blade Dancer (new version)

A1. Tokyo Black Star - Blade Dancer (original unreleased version)

B1. Tokyo Black Star - Kagura

Alex from Tokyo calling with a special announcement: the exciting relaunch of his record label “world famous.” After several years on the move and in the studio, the Paris-born, Tokyo-raised, and now Paris-based DJ/music producer/sound designer is ready to bring you fresh music from his collaborative projects AWIDA and Tokyo Black Star.
 
AWIDA’s NYC Connexion EP tells a story—three stories in fact. In a trio of instrumental tracks, Alex from Tokyo and Willie Graff pay tribute to the places they love: New York City, Ibiza, and Berlin. Inspired by the unique soundscapes and club cultures of each city, the two DJ friends (who met while spinning records at NYC club Cielo in the mid-2000s) came together in late-night jam sessions at Darren Eboli’s studio in Tribeca to bring the soundscapes to life. That journey gave birth to AWIDA (A for Alex, WI for Willie, and DA for Darren), and world famous proudly presents the project’s first creation. The groove-inducing EP features Brooklyn’s Danilo Braca from The Sound of New York City on the mixing board and the artwork of top NYC artist ROSTARR from his epic painting “Eclipse Mars.”
 
In 2020, world famous brings you a special 12-inch single featuring the original unreleased version of “Blade Dancer.” These new offerings follow up world famous’ vinyl-only release of Tokyo Black Star’s Edo Express EP (2015) and Fantasy Live 1999 (2016), and Bing Ji Ling and Alex from Tokyo present (2016).

world famous tokyo

Popular tracks