SLOWLY Vinyl & CDs

Review: Flower Records fusion masters Masato Komatsu and Ryo Kawahara are Slowly and are adept at everything from dub to disco, soul to post-rock. They have been turning it out at a steady rate recently on labels like Oscarson but mostly Flower. Following a couple of standout 7"s in 'Tripping Out' and 'Let Some Love In' already this year comes 'Time Trip.' It is a lush bit of slow motion big beat and dub, with heavily treated Japanese language vocals over a fat, churning rhythm. An instrumental is also included on this crucial 7".

Review: With over two decades of experience and more than 20 EPs to their name, seasoned Japanese producer Slowly once again captures a distinct, sunset-soaked atmosphere on this latest release, Hatoba. Blending reggae, dub and chill-out with a uniquely Japanese sensibility, the track radiates warmth and understated elegance. Side-A's 'Hatoba' features a soulful vocal that floats effortlessly over a laid-back rhythm section. The groove is steady and filled with gentle guitar skanks, subtle bass and spacey dub effects that give the song depth without overwhelming its soothing tone. There's a sense of calm here with this music made for late afternoons and fading light and the instrumental covers the second side to further highlight the excellent backing band. Another beautiful entry in this artist's extensive catalogue.

Review: Slowly teams up with Swish Jaguar to deliver a stunning cover of Wee's mellow soul classic 'You Can Fly On My Aeroplane.' This dreamy lovers' soul track beautifully blends vintage vibes with modern flair, featuring the talkbox talents of Swish Jaguar (aka Sam Wish), known for his work with Tuxedo. The collaboration shines with Yusuke Hirado's smooth Fender Rhodes and Tsuyoshi Kosuga's versatile guitar and bass work, creating a lush, nostalgic soundscape.Side-1's vocal track exudes warmth and elegance, perfect for setting the mood at any soul or funk set. On Side-2, the instrumental version offers DJs a versatile tool to weave into their mixes. With its impeccable musicianship and timeless appeal, this 7" bridges the gap between classic soul and contemporary groove.