Time Capsule Vinyl & CDs

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: Angolan guitarist and musicologist Mario Rui Silva is under the microscope on this fantastic new reissue from Time Capsule. It is a retrospective of 80s recordings that take in myriad style including jazz, acoustic, Mexican cantina, swinging serenades and folky village sing alongs. The whole record is delightfully summery and airy, with feel good grooves and subtle funk styles all making it a perfect accompaniment to a lazy afternoon in the sun or an evening drinking with friends. While analogies can be found in Brazilian artists like Jorge Ben, Lo Borges, and Milton Nascimento, Rui Silva is in a world of his own as he worked to preserve traditional musics.

Review: Perhaps best known for scoring the Street Fighter II and Final Fantasy XII soundtracks, virtuoso fusioneer Yuji Toriyama goes way back, as proved by this edition of Time Capsule's Choice Works series that digs deep into his earliest instrumentals and TV work made between 82 - 85. Written, produced and played by himself, using some seriously futuristic kit for the time, Yuji's cosmic, heavily narrative compositions are given the spotlight they've needed for almost 40 years; highlights include the slap bass pops and star gazing synth strikes of "Donna", the aerobic boogie of "Night Together" and the tropical midnight glider "Maze". Choice indeed.

Review: The soul of Guadeloupe music is captured on this superb new compilation. The musical genre is gwoka, which is said to be more than simply a style of music, but in fact "a way of living and thinking." It is rooted in the social and ritual practices of enslaved African people and their descendants and is a hugely innovative sound with traditional call-and-response forms, lush Rhodes chords, afro drum patterns and a rare sense of spiritualism as well as sunniness. The album includes an essay from Guadeloupean musician Marie-Line Dahomey, as well as lots of great liner notes form the curator of the compilation.

Review: Probably one of the most fascinating Japanese compilations to ever receive a release since 'Diggin' In The Carts', Time Capsule's 'Anime & Manga Synth Pop Soundtracks 1984-1990' takes a thorough look at the genre when it was well underway and in its heyday, charting just eight cuts of the sauciest lo-fi bangers for the cartoon style. Opener 'Honowo' is a proto-sinogrimey, synthpoppy slice of city pop for the period manga Yume No Ishibumi. Meanwhile, 'Utage' recalls Eurythmics or Talking Heads with a retro-classic, quantized groove. A great snapshot of Japanese music media from a time of upheaval.

Review: Expertly curated by Time Capsule, Nippon Acid Folk 1970-1980 offers an authentic trip through Japan's rich psychedelic folk scene. Across its eight standout tracks, the album showcases a diverse range of artists and styles, from dreamy acoustic ballads to experimental electronic compositions. Each song is a testament to the creativity and innovation of the era, blending traditional Japanese folk elements with psychedelic and avant-garde influences from around the wider musical world. The album's carefully curated selection means it plays out with a sense of story that provides a fascinating glimpse into a unique period of Japanese music history. This one then is a must-listen for enthusiasts of experimental folk and global psychedelia.