Bolshoiz - 1st

B is for Bolshoiz. "Punk" project from Osaka's mysterious master of ceremonies Alco Degurutieni. Degurutieni is known for his elaborate stage shows and diverse performances with each outing being different from his last. Sometimes it could be a small affair with just a handful of musicians by his side shrowded in darkness illuminated by a sole red lamp. Other times he will have an ensemble of musicians and performers to accompany him with elaborate stage props that range from burnt out cars to metal grinders and scaffolding. Whether bombastic or eerily intimate you can be sure Degurutieni will put on a memorable show.

With a similar croak and a persuasion towards Junk-Jazz with an Eastern European slant Degurutieni could almost be the lost Japanese love child of the devil himself Tom Waits. Here Degurutieni teams up with regular band collaborators the exceedingly talented drummer Watanabe and amplified tuba player Daisuke Takaoka. Joining the motley crew is also Black Light Orchestra's Yannick Dupont.

The first 2 tracks off this 2007 CDR could definitely be described as a sort of punk (Albeit Degurutieni's own distinctive rendering of it.) while the last 3 tracks sound more like Degurutieni's usual exotic, sleazy, drunk Jazz. 

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Aleks Et Les Japonaises - Ojamashimasu (おじゃまします)

I always have trouble deciding what to upload next so to make the decision easier I will now start uploading things in alphabetical order. Well at least until I get bored of the idea or get stuck on a letter I can't find anything for.

A is for Alek Et Les Japonaises a Belgian based duo with Alek and his Japanese partner. Alek are purveyors of super catchy French lounge electro-pop. It's all lighthearted tongue-in-cheek fun with the pair alternating between amusing Japanese and French lyrics. My personal favourite on this self released EP is track 5 "Kuchi Kusai". A super catchy little ditty about intolerably bad breath so watch who's around when you inevitably start singing it to yourself in the mornings.

Alek frequently play shows at various places around Europe and also come over to Japan occasionally so check their official website for tour dates. You can buy their music at their shows or download it from their Soundclick page.

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Mandog - Dream Of Liquid

Hope everyone had a good xmas and New Year. I was back in the UK for a week or two hence no updates.

There are few things I love more on this earth than a stone cold slab of psyched out Krautrock and Mandog serve it in spades. The Tokyo 3 piece (Guit/Moog, Bass, Drums) band very much evoke the sound of Can circa-the early 70's. Blissed out, indulgent psychedelic freakouts reminiscent of Can's legendary epic improv sessions. There's nothing better than the sound of a group of talented musicians cutting loose and letting it all hang out.    

The Can connections also runs a little deeper. According to the liner notes penned by non other than former Can vocalist Damo Suzuki Mandog's founder Keiichi Miyashita was a Jazz guitarist before hanging up his guitar and retiring from music in his early 20's. It wasn't until 10 years later when he saw Damo Suzuki performing with his travelling improv project "Netweork" that he was inspired to start his music career afresh. 

Mandog is essentially Keiichi himself with the band line-up changing with each performance. Sometimes it's solo with the aid of drum machines, synths and loops pedals and sometimes he's joined by a host of other musicians. On this particular recording he's accompanied by Drummer Masataka Fujikake and Bassist Akira Kikuchi.

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