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LP
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WRWTFWW 044LP
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WRWTFWW Records announce the full official reissue of two major works from the great Somei Satoh gathered into one LP: the mystic and meditative Emerald Tablet (1978) and Echoes (1981). Sourced from original masters and available on vinyl with liner notes by passionate Japanese music connoisseur/collector/critic/DJ, Masaaki Hara. Fall into the ambient vastness, let yourself go... Originally released by highly respected label ALM, these pivotal pieces of late '70s/early '80s Japanese experimental music majestically showcase Satoh's intuitive approach to composition and mastery of creating infinite worlds of sound from very, very little. Emerald Tablet, recorded at the fabled NHK Studio of Electronic Music in 1978, is a spellbinding take on musique concrète meets tape music relying solely on sound harmonics from tubular bell, cymbals, and "kin" (Buddhist standing bell) overdubbed endlessly, voyaging into vertiginous sonic depths. Echoes was composed for the Mist, Sound, and Light Festival, a ten-day event organized by the hot spring tourist association of Kawaji, Tochigi Prefecture, held on May 20-29, 1981. It was played in the Kawaji hot spring's Ojika river valley, with 8 gigantic loudspeakers set up on hills surrounding the stream and connected to an octuple channel-tape system -- thanks to a combined length of cables exceeding one kilometer -- while artificial fog rose from a ravine and laser beams shot up on the mountains. Cinematic and resonating, this breathtaking piece from Somei Satoh is a transcending sonic experience. Emerald Tablet / Echoes is reissued in conjunction with Somei Satoh's Mandala Trilogy + 1 double-LP (WRWTFWW 055LP).
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2LP
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WRWTFWW 055LP
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2021 repress. WRWTFWW Records announce the full official reissue of Somei Satoh's magnificent Avatamsaka Sutra inspired Mandala Trilogy with one additional never-released piece. Sourced from original masters and available on double vinyl in heavy 350gsm sleeve with liner notes by passionate Japanese music connoisseur/collector/critic/DJ, Masaaki Hara. Deep deep deep into the abyss... The Mandala Trilogy blends Somei Satoh's own slowed down Buddhist chant vocalization and early electronics to create a radiant and meditative atmosphere conveying serenity and timelessness. It includes three pieces recorded separately. "Mandala" was recorded at the NHK Studio of Electronic Music in 1982 and was included on the album Mandala/Sumeru, released on Kojima Recordings' ALM. "Mantra" was an NHK commissioned work, recorded at the same studio in 1986. "Tantra" was recorded at Victoria University of Wellington's Lilburn Studios for electronic music and recording in 1990. Included as a bonus is the 20-minute "Mai", a composition commissioned by harpist Ayako Shinozaki and recorded at the Kioi Hall in Tokyo on November 11th, 2004. The piece was conducted by Tetsuji Honna and performed by the Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo. Satoh says: "The harp is one of my favorite instruments. Also, by combining my affectionate percussion instrument, the chromatic gong and steel drum, with the harp's most beautiful tone, I attempted to bring out a mystical sound." Although it is not an electronic music piece, the stunning composition elegantly complements the deep mystical world that Satoh expresses in his Mandala Trilogy. Mandala Trilogy + 1 is reissued in conjunction with Somei Satoh's Emerald Tablet / Echoes LP (WRWTFWW 044LP).
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