SATOSHI Vinilo y CD

Review: Satoshi is well known for his work alongside Makoto but here he steps out with a first ever solo album. The title and typography and make clear reference to the legendary Aphex Twin album that very much set the temple for electronic ambient but the music inside is wholly original. It takes the form of a collection of archival works that sit next to newer compositions. Like much of the music he has made in collab with Makoto, the sounds on this album are performed mainly on his much loved and trusty Casio CZ-5000 synthesiser. Guests such as Benedek from PPU and L.I.E.S. plays on guitar, while Makoto and Kuniyuki Takahashi bring percussion.

Review: The sixth release of Amsterdam record label Safe Trip brings together a few dozen ambient tracks from Japanese twin brothers Satoshi & Makoto from Kawasaki. The whole album's beats, melodies and musical phrases come from the Casio CZ-5000: which gives the record its name. Label chief Young Marco discovered their music via YouTube videos, which the two musicians had recorded in order to illustrate the possibilities of the aforementioned instrument and most of the material was said to be influenced by acts like The Orb and Yellow Magic Orchestra. According to the label, it is largely of an ambient nature, positive mood and possibly alien origin.