Browse by Artist: AKIYAMA, TETUZI

Artist:	AKIYAMA, TETUZI
Title:	Resophonie
Label:	A BRUIT SECRET (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ABS 008CD

"The name Tetuzi Akiyama may not be very well-known, but he is part of the large improvised music in Tokyo where he plays with Taku Sugimoto (together they have a CD on Bottrop Boy, with a guitar quartet, including Yoshihide and Nakamura), Utah Kawasaki, Sachiko M and also various European people. Tetuzi plays mainly the guitar, the one with steel strings and he explores the possibilities of creating overtones within the metallic string sounds. In these eight solo tracks, recorded directly to DAT he plays with a high end feedback like sound, and indeed metallic scrapings, with microscopic changes, but do be called minimal music this might not be appropriate either. In some tracks the guitar sounds very much like a guitar (like in 'Primitif' for instance), but in 'Disscociation' the scrapings prevail and the guitar sounds like so far away. This CD is a fine example of the sheer unlimited possibilities of using the six strings in yet another vein."

Artist:	AKIYAMA, TETUZI
Title:	Pre-Existence
Label:	BO WEAVIL RECORDINGS (UK)
Format:	LP
Price:	$25.00
Catalog #:	WEAVIL 015LP

Originally released in 2006. Tetuzi Akiyama has been a major player on the free music/improv scene in Tokyo for over 20 years. Pre-Existence first came out on CD as a part of the great Wooden Guitar series from Locust. Akiyama's playing here is one of a minimalist approach, discovering and investigating the empty spaces between each note. He does not follow the Takoma guitar school style of finger-picking, but instead invokes a far more warped primitive country blues feel with a meditative quality. You never know where you are going to be led with his guitar, down roads rarely travelled. With his dense tapestry of sounds, Akiyama evokes emotions that at times are uncomfortable, but are of real beauty. Open your ears and let the music take you far, far out there.

Artist:	AKIYAMA, TETUZI
Title:	Pre-Existence
Label:	LOCUST
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	LOCUST 072CD

"Tetuzi Akiyama is frequently associated with the insurgent improvising community in Tokyo generated around guitarist Taku Sugimoto but to be sure his sound owes as much to a unique strain of country blues engulfed in negative space. His loosely strewn playing skirts the usual clichés of the guitar in both the free improv and trad folk scenes. Pre-Existence is a puzzling and often achingly beautiful slurred guitar meditation. Sit back & let your ears bear witness to a Zen blues of the most elemental, meditative form. This disc marks Akiyama's solo contribution to Locust's celebrated Wooden Guitar series."

Artist:	AKIYAMA, TETUZI
Title:	The Ancient Battle to Control Death
Label:	WESTERN VINYL
Format:	CD
Price:	$11.00
Catalog #:	WEST 049CD

"Tetuzi Akiyama's contribution to the Western Vinyl portrait series is a departure in a career of departures. In addition to Akiyama's trademark improvised, blues-infused, guitar work, The Ancient Balance to Control Death also features intense multi-layered vocals. Much like his guitar work, the vocals flow with a sharp primal urgency. The end result is a collection of unique and tense Japanese blues that could only have come from one of Japan's most distinct and creative improvisers."

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