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#henrykawahara #vinyl #vinylrecords
Henry Kawahara, dubbed the “Jon Hassell of Japan”, takes center stage with a captivating collection from his golden era of the early to mid-‘90s. Titled ‘Cybernetic Defiance and Orgasm: The Essential Henry Kawahara’, the collection unveils the sheer brilliance of this multi-media visionary whose impact largely remained confined within the Japanese market.
Between 1991-1995, Kawahara graced the music scene with a slew of solo albums, predominantly under the Green Energy label. These albums bore testament to a rising tech-agnostic new age consciousness, crystallizing in the ’90s when CD became the preferred medium for its pristine sound quality.
Making its debut on vinyl and digital platforms, this collection offers a passport to Kawahara’s unique sonic landscapes. Seamlessly blending sampled ambient sounds with original FM synthesis, Kawahara crafts an ethereal journey where traditional soundscapes meld with digital innovation. Tracks like ‘Primitive Love (Genshi no ai)(Delayed Version)’ play with the senses, while ‘Sound LSD #.SS05/7.83HZ (Radio Mix)’ elicits a hallucinogenic haze. Not to be overlooked is the sheer elegance of ‘電子ニューロン回路の舞踏 (Dance of Electronic Neuron Circuits) (Third Mix)’, a nod to Terre Thaemlitz’s pioneering ambient compositions.
For fans of Haruomi Hosono, Visible Cloaks, Spencer Clark, or early Terre Thaemlitz, Kawahara’s compilation serves as an immersive introduction to Japan’s overlooked genius of the ’90s. Prepare for a transportive experience where ancient resonances meet digital horizons.
