Back catalogue: Leftfield

Review: Quiet Music Under the Moon marks the 2023 debut of Calm, featuring a talented ensemble: Toshitaka Shibata on piano, Yuichiro Kato on saxophone, Tomokazu Sugimoto on upright bass and Kakuei on steel pan. This new collection shifts focus from showcasing virtuosic solos to delivering a meticulously crafted suite of chillout tracks, mostly incorporating "moon" in their titles. The album unfolds like a serene journey through the night, seamlessly transitioning from pieces like 'Drift Into Dreamland' to morning reflections in 'Oyasumi, Ohayo'. The natural sounds of cicadas and gentle summer showers act as connecting threads, enhancing the auditory experience. Musically, the tracks fall into two categories: softly sighing synth melodies reminiscent of 80s cinematic scores and gentle, beatless soundscapes infused with post-rave textures. For example, 'Moonshower' evokes the lush aesthetics of Digital Justice's works, slowed down to a meditative pace. Calm's signature ambient sound shines throughout, characterised by slowly arching pads and sustained chords that invite contemplation. This clear vinyl edition, complete with an obi strip.