Shimmring Electronica/electropop. In line with Sakamoto’s excursions into serious electronica (Sakamoto was previously known for his beautiful soundtracks for movies such as Merry Xmas Mr. Lawrence, Little Budha and the Last emperor), this CD contains remixes of songs from his 2005 release “chasm” put together by many known electronica musicians. Contributing, are long time collaborators, such as Alva Noto, but also new ones such as Craig Armstrong (who long time ago collaborated with Massive Attack). While the general tone of the CD is a bit boring, some jewels definitely make the listening worthwhile. No FCCs.
1 and 3. A collage of people voices, acoustic guitar and glitches contemplating about human nature in relation to war and peace.
**2. A beautiful cinematic piece, with loopy acoustic guitars as soundbed for gentle yet intense rapping in Japanese. Strings enter toward the end with a Japanese motif.
4. Slow atmospheric electronica.
5. A different remix for the same song as in track #2. Glitchy electronica with less of the rapping, climaxing with a drone before ending.
**6. A beautiful moody song sung by David Sylvian, a long time collaborator of Sakamoto, on top of an electronica soundbed.
7. Electro breakbeat. Monotonous.
8. Slow loopy electronica with gentle keyboards and glitches.
9. Faster, yet monotonous.
10. Shimmering monotonous electronica.
*11. A bit more interesting, with quiet Brazilian rhythms and whispering singing as well as glitches.
12. Monotonous break beat, with New-agey chimes and flutes in the middle.
13. Slow, gentle and monotonous industrial piece.