Time Capsule Vinyl & CDs

Review: Step into the profound realm of Carnatic Music with Bombay Jayashri Ramnath's transcendent album. Rooted in the rich tradition of South Indian classical music, Jayashri's haunting vocals draw listeners in close. From the ethereal chants of 'Sada Bada (Slokam)' to the rhythmic pulsations of 'Bhajeham Bhajeham,' accompanied by the hypnotic beats of mridangam drums and the resonant drone of a tambura, each track envelops the listener in an aura of spiritual resonance and cosmic beauty. Jayashri's melodic Sanskrit chants in 'Kalimaheshwari' and 'Keshvaya Namaha' evoke the sacred feminine and pay homage to the divine presence of Lord Vishnu, infusing the album with a profound sense of reverence and awe.

Review: Choice Cuts 1978-1983 gathers eight tracks from four of Mimi's early albums-Sea Flight (1978), Coconuts High (1981), Nuts Nuts Nuts (1982), and Tropicana (1983). Opening with a funky, syncopated take on Sergio Mendes' 'Mas Que Nada' and the crisp techno-pop of 'Coffee Rumba,' all of which mean the compilation showcases Mimi's eclectic style. It also features the synth jam 'Quiet Explosion' and the piano samba 'Espresso.' Two standout tracks from Coconuts High-the sultry 'Crazy Love' and the lively 'Palm Sr'-highlight her playful Latin-tinged jazz fusion. Released on Takanaka's Kitty Records, this collection reveals Mimi's vibrant and innovative artistry.

Review: Tokyo Riddim Vol. 2 looks into the eclectic fusion of reggae and Japanese pop, uncovering a unique musical journey that began when Ryuichi Sakamoto traveled to Kingston in 1978. Collaborating with Jamaican icons like Neville Hinds and Rita Marley, Sakamoto's experience set the stage for a burgeoning connection between Japanese artists and Jamaican reggae. This compilation showcases tracks like Teresa Noda's 'Tropical Love' and 'Yellow Moon', highlighting the innovative blend of dub, electronic, and new wave that emerged in Japan during the late 70s and early 80s. The album features genre-bending contributions from key figures such as Yosui Inoue, Kay Ishiguro, and Tomoko Aran, who reimagined reggae with bold, unconventional styles. Tokyo Riddim Vol. 2 explores the hybridisation of these sounds, demonstrating how the exchange between Tokyo and Kingston birthed a fresh, boundary-defying genre. This collection shows Japan's experimental spirit, weaving together reggae's rhythms with the era's cosmopolitan influences, carving out a place beyond Western musical conventions.

Review: Spanning eight tracks of electronic and acoustic ingenuity, this compilation captures a transformative era in Japanese composition, where anime soundtracks became a playground for sonic exploration. This vinyl-only collection, curated by Time Capsule, bridges new age aesthetics with percussive traditions, blending synthesisers, gamelan influences and orchestral grandeur. At the heart of the compilation is Akira's electrifying 'Kaneda' by Geinoh Yamashirogumi, where the group's signature blend of Balinese gamelan and electronic textures defines the dystopian atmosphere. 'Yas-Kaz's Hei '(Theme of Shikioni), from Peacock King - Spirit Warrior, and Norihiro Tsuru's 'Farsighted Person', composed for The Heroic Legend of Arslan, transport listeners to distant landscapes, reflecting anime's thematic reach beyond Japan. Yoichiro Yoshikawa's Tassili N'Ajjer and Fiesta Del Fuego, composed for NHK's 'The Miracle Planet', embody an ethereal grandeur, merging environmental themes with lush, ambient layers. Meanwhile, Chumei Watanabe's 'Fushigi Song', performed by Korogi '72, delivers a hypnotic groove reminiscent of Don Cherry's 'Brown Rice'. Columbia Orchestra's 'Hearts Beats - Theme for Andrew Glasgow' shows Tokyo's jazz-funk session musicians at their peak, and Kan Ogasawara's Gishin Anki provides a dramatic, cinematic finale. More than a nostalgia trip, this compilation celebrates anime's role in shaping Japan's new age soundia period where innovation thrived, unbound by genre constraints.