Audiople Review: A few weeks back, we referred to Michel Banabila’s ‘Unspeakable Visions’ as a classic sampling keyboard record. We described how easy it was to imagine the Dutch composer hunched over an Ensoniq workstation. Amazingly, Banabila responded to this on Instagram by posting an old picture of himself doing exactly that. We take this as evidence that sampling keyboard music is a real thing. And a new reissue of Yoshio Ojima’s album ‘Club’ adds credence to that idea. You may know this guy from his collaboration with Visible Cloaks. ‘Club’, meanwhile, is both a prime example of Japanese environmental music, an early foreshadowing of techno, and a simple expression of childlike wonder. And, having been originally released in 1983, it’s a rather early example of sampling keyboard music. But then, given that many early samplers were made by Japanese companies, it’s not surprising artists like Yoshio Ojima were onboard so early (see also Yellow Magic Orchestra). In truth, ‘Club’ makes use of synths and drum machines just as much as it leans on the sampler. And its mood of playfulness and innocence sets Ojima apart from more self-consciously exotic sampling keyboard wielders. If you’re a fan of early-80s electronic experiments from any paradigm, you’re going to be thoroughly charmed by ‘Club’.

WRWTFWW Records presents the first-ever vinyl release for esteemed Japanese producer, composer, and environmental music luminary Yoshio Ojima’s rare forgotten album Club, previously only released as a limited edition of 50 cassettes back in 1983. The electronica/proto-techno/experimental gem is available as an LP reissue supervised by the artist, sourced from the original masters and housed in a heavy 350gsm sleeve. Only 500 copies were made. A precious and sought-after item among collectors and enthusiasts of early Japanese electronic music, Club is a stunning and timeless collection of avant-garde electronica, proto-techno, mecha-ambient, and ear-pleasing experimentations from Yoshio Ojima, the ambient/environmental master behind the pivotal Music for Spiral albums released in 1988, and producer of Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Pier & Loft, Motohiko Hamase’s #Notes of Forestry, and Satsuki Shibano’s iconic Rendez-Vous. Filled with quirky minimalist acid-synth-and-drum-machine-handiwork, bouncy collages of beautifully childlike techno and pre-IDM, and the irresistible DIY charm of humble beginnings, the eight-track album is a fun, adventurous and risqué-but-catchy-in-the-most-peculiar-way piece of Japanese electronic music history neatly capturing the incredible creative energy boiling through the country’s scene in the 1980s. Experience the roots of Japanese electronica!