Oki-Ni Japanese Music Releases

Posted on 14. Oct, 2009 by baggy in Reviews & Previews

Oki-Ni are proud to announce their latest drop of Japanese music courtesy of cutting edge and underground Japanese DJs and labels: Force of Nature, COS/MES, C.O.M.B.i, and Dubby.

FORCE OF NATURE

Japanese duo KZA and DJ Kent have released a special double mix CD – MEMORIAL- recorded live at the Hotel Aroma Bowery in Yokohama, Japan. The mix was produced to celebrate the boutique hotel’s grand opening, and Oki-Ni is proud to be the only stockist outside of Japan.

On this mix Force of Nature have gone out of their way to compile a selection of laid back, sophisticated tracks ranging from sleazed out jazz, soul, and Rhythm and Blues. MEMORIAL was produced by R.M.N productions, the same team behind C.O.M.B.i and it’s an interesting mix to check out as Force of Nature are mostly known for their up-tempo DJ style.

Force of Nature is currently one of the most respected underground production teams in Japan. They have remixed and produced for big artists in and outside of Japan, including DJ Shadow, Brennan Green, Sly Mongoose and Keiichi Sokabe. As DJs, they’ve collaborated with big names within the music scene – Carl Craig, DJ Shadow, Recloose, Slow Supreme, Rub n Tug, and James Murphy to name a few.

Influenced heavily by the sounds of Danielle Baldelli’s cosmic style, their 2006 album on Mule Musiq, entitled “3” cemented the duo’s reputation as top-level producers. So far they’ve released 3 albums: Forces of Nature in 2003, II in March 2004, and 3 in 2006. In addition, they’ve also produced music with Nujabes, Fat Jon the ample soul physician, Tutchie and Afra for Samurai Champloo, which is a Japanese animation directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Who’s known as a director of Cowboy Bebop and Animatrix).  They also have a weekly slot, ‘Tokyo Club Mix Showcase’, every Monday on Shibuya FM.

COS/MES

COS/MES comprises of Tokyo DJ’s Flatic and 5ive. The duo is widely regarded as one of Japan’s most exciting up and coming electronic acts. They released their debut album ‘Sadistic Skatepark’ on Japanese label SWC in 2007. Sadly overlooked in Europe due to lack of distribution outside of Japan, this album is a hidden gem. From the sleazed-out rock of ‘Poser, Poser’ to the chugging pulse of ‘xxx’ and heavy duty ‘Fanfare Maniac’, this 11-track album showcases the full breadth of the COS/MES sound and vision where Oki-Ni have the last few available copies!

Also in stock is Flatic’s label ‘Sound More’, a CD label focused on showcasing mixes from a variety of experimental, leftfield DJs; Oki-Ni has the entire back catalogue. From a new age/electronics mix courtesy of Flatic himself and obscure Belgian new-beat from Zecky (Tokyo DJ and Discossession guitarist), to a special edition mixed by Sombrero Galaxy – the collaboration project of Dutch DJ Tako (CBS/Ambassadors Reception) and Jonny Nash (Discossession), these are worth checking out! Each edition is produced in a limited run of 100 copies worldwide.

C.O.M.B.i

Due to high demand, Oki-Ni have restocked C.O.M.B.i 12” Ma Baker. This is the rare Japanese pressing not available in Europe and features a third secret track.

They are also stocking C.O.M.B.i pin badges; an assortment of five badges with different designs and set of 5 blue badges which together form the C.O.M.B.I logo. Get on it!

DUBBY

Toshihito Maeyama, aka Dubby, is a talented Japanese DJ who recently relocated to London. He has released a series of mix CD’s on Japanese label Dream Academy and once again Oki-Ni are stocking all four releases. Highlights are Alternative Route and Mundo Latino mixes. The Alternative Route mix is a fresh interpretation of the 90’s indie/dance cross-over sound, with Primal Scream, the Happy Mondays and My Bloody Valentine all making an appearance. On Mundo Latino, Dubby presents a Latin infused mix spanning Soul, Rock, Jazz and Disco – apparently this one comes highly recommended by Prins Thomas!

For further information on Oki-Ni artists and sound clips for all of the above, click HERE