Asa-Chang & Junray — Tsu Gi Ne Pu

A few months after his first European release (reviewed here, one of my fav CD’s of 2002), Asa-Chang is back with a new ep. Pressure was high on his shoulder: the said first album, Junray song Chang, got rave reviews and even made it in the top 4 of The Wire 2002 best list.

The Tsu Gi Ne Pu ep is actually a selection of the best tracks that featured on Asa-Chang second Japanese full-length, called... Tsuginepu.  The overall sound and vibe doesn’t differ much from Junray song Chang, it is, as I said then, “a journey into sound (...) very melodic yet experimental, nostalgic yet cheering”. Treated tablas and vocals, trumpets, toy instruments, electronics...

“Asa-Chang is obsessed with the precise division of time within the rhythms, and the spaces that can be found in between these divisions. He feels it is important to follow the methods of classical music, with the emphasis very much on accurate live performances of the works.” Such was the comment in the press release regarding the way Asa-Chang works. That tightness can be heard...

The CD opens up with a walk in the Japanese countryside: birds singing, a bit of flute and xylophone to accompany them, soft electronic touches. A while later, voices, percussions, synthesiser gets in. Toremoro sounds like a 2003 Japanese version of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf. Xylophone is a very surprising track, the closest thing Asa-Chang ever did to a “real” song.  The lyrics are in english but it’s sometimes difficult to understand what is being said (you know, those treated vocals...). The music is an odd mix of manipulated tabla, guitars, sitar and Red Army Choir-like vocals.... Mind-blowing. Mind you, the best is still to come. Please welcome Kaikyo! Opening with a trumpet and the sound of the sea, it ends up in a guitar, trumpet, choir, tabla, electronics ensemble which is bound to remind you of Ennio Morricone’s best work on Spaghetti Westerns soundtracks. Now, if Clint Eastwood walks in your living room, followed a few minutes later by Lee Van Cleef, don’t be surprised. Kayikyo is a thrilling song, it gives me goosebumps at each listen. Not as good as Hana, but almost...

5 perfect tracks (+ one ten minute long hidden track), Asa-Chang is not going to disappoint his fans and will no doubt get some new ones. I hope we will get a new full-length soon.