Kankyo Ongaku: Japanese Ambient, Environmental & New Age Music 1980-1990

Light In The Attic

As interest in Japanese music surges in the West, Seattle-based imprint Light In The Attic unveil the next instalment of their popular Japan archival series with a stunning, unprecedented collection of the country’s vital minimal, ambient, avant-garde, and New Age music throughout the ’80s. Kankyo Ongaku, or environmental music, explores a period where Japanese experimental artists really embrace concepts like soundscape design, architectural acoustics, minimalism and abstractionism. Field recordings of nature are interspliced with stretched-out pads, elongated synth lines and rich, melodic tones; music that is at once ancient and futuristic. Experimental textures, formless structures and dreamy, atmospheres abound. In fact, this is the first time most of this music has been officially licensed for release outside of Japan. Featuring pioneering artists like Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Joe Hisaishi, Hiroshi Yoshimura and Yoshio Ojima, this is a genre finally getting the love it deserves. Tom Jones ADD THESE TO YOUR PLAYLIST: Islander, Nube, A Dream Sails| Out to Sea| 8/10