Music Reviews

“minekawa_takako”

Takako Minekawa

Fun 9

Emperor Norton

Fun 9 may come as a bit of a surprise to those familiar with Minekawa’s previous child-like approach to music. The music has become a bit heavier, more “serious” if you will. Although there isn’t anything as childlike as “Fantastic Cat” to jump out of this record, this is a refreshing change. The songs here are carefully produced, often to great effect. “Flow In a Tide” ends with sounds like musical gridlock, as blaring tones compete to create a melody. “Fantastic Voyage” is a burbling bossa nova with the colored girls from Lou Reed’s “Walk On the Wild Side” providing a musical bed. “Etoufee” – a bonus remix of “Spin Spider Spin”, also included – is an implacable bass riff skipping quickly across undulating vocals and stacatto guitars.

A few of the tracks are written in collaboration with slippytronica masters DJ Me DJ You – like “Fantastic Voyage” above – and the results are transporting. Arigato, Miss Minekawa.

Emperor Norton Records, 102 Robinson St., Los Angeles, CA 90026; http://www.emperornorton.com


Recently on Ink 19...

Swans

Swans

Event Reviews

40 years on, Michael Gira and Swans continue to bring a ritualistic experience that needs to be heard in order to be believed. Featured photo by Reese Cann.

Eclipse 2024

Eclipse 2024

Features

The biggest astronomical event of the decade coincides with a long overdue trip to Austin, Texas.

Sun Ra

Sun Ra

Music Reviews

At the Showcase: Live in Chicago 1976/1977 (Jazz Detective). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

Dark Water

Dark Water

Screen Reviews

J-Horror classic Dark Water (2002) makes the skin crawl with an unease that lasts long after the film is over. Phil Bailey reviews the new Arrow Video release.