The fifth release from legendary Japanese tape wizards Ginjoha. (They schlepped us their entire discography all the way over the Pacific Ocean!) Yoshihiro Sawasaki is part of a new generation of Japanese ambient producers and he is the mentor of Ken Ishii (the composer for the 1998 Winter Olympics ceremonies), who recommended his first demo to R&S Records. This two-sided tape has great astrological themes and chill, tranquil tones. “Nu Age music inspired of the Onsen of heaven.”

FCC CLEAN

Side A: opens up with the sounds of slowly dripping water and thudding footsteps, then progresses into a warm wash of synthesizer with gentle electronic hissings that grow ever louder. The piece climaxes in gorgeous high-altitude harmony with a reoccurrence of the subtle water droplets.

Side B: Scattered airy downtempo over a rush of outer-space slithering electronica. Sawasaki returns to the techno roots that first made him popular in 1993.