CALM Vinyl & CDs

Review: Calm is a Japanese master of downtempo and ambient. He has been turning out his sophisticated full-lengths in this scene for many years, and plenty of them have become cult classics, all while he offers up new tracks that are just as lush. Hell yeah has always been a keen supporter of his work and now the label reissue his early and excellent Moonage Electric Ensemble. It's a mix of spoken words and captivating melodies, downtempo beats, trip hop grooves and new classical melodies all with a fresh jazz sensibility that means it is as smooth and vital now as it ever was.

Review: Kiyotaka Fukagawa released his latest album as Calm on Hell Yeah last year, but the label are wisely taking their time in revisiting the material to give it that extra dose of timelessness. On this second round of remixes, Mark Barrott brings a tasteful dose of Eastern mysticism to "Space Is My Place" on his aptly titled "Re-Imagination To The Sacred Heart Center". Turn the record over for My Friend Dario's "Etna Breeze" version of "Shadows & Lights" - an expansive acid laced ambient dream with a touch of 80s new age. This is classy stuff for gentle souls - Balearic heads take note!

Review: Mukatsuku looks to the legendary Japanese downtempo producer Calm here for a new, hand-numbered 7" in the form of his 'Quiet Music Under The Moon' sampler. It features two tunes taken from his masterful new album, the first being 'Oyasumi, Ohayo' where subtle synths ripple beneath Balearic leads. It's heartbroken ambient introspection for late-night star gazing. On the flip, 'Moon Shower' is more hopeful and optimistic, with mellifluous layers of synth shimmer like the sun off the Med. It's beautiful and cathartic with Calm's majestic synth craft front and centre.

Review: Mukatsuku looks to the legendary Japanese downtempo producer Calm here for a new, hand-numbered 7" in the form of his 'Quiet Music Under The Moon' sampler. It features two tunes taken from his masterful new album, the first being 'Oyasumi, Ohayo' where subtle synths ripple beneath Balearic leads. It's heartbroken ambient introspection for late-night star gazing. On the flip, 'Moon Shower' is more hopeful and optimistic, with mellifluous layers of synth shimmer like the sun off the Med. It's beautiful and cathartic with Calm's majestic synth craft front and centre.