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Various Artists
Somewhere Between: Mutant Pop, Electronic Minimalism & Shadow Sounds of Japan 1980-1988
Somewhere Between: Mutant Pop, Electronic Minimalism & Shadow Sounds of Japan 1980-1988
Light in the Attic Records | CAT #: LITA 183
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KEY FEATURES
KEY FEATURES
- First-ever officially-licensed compilation of this kind
- Artwork by noted illustrator/designer Koichi Sato
- New liner notes by Mark “Frosty” McNeill
- Double LP housed in wide–spine jacket
DETAILS
DETAILS
ARTIST: Various Artists
LABEL: Light in the Attic Records
CAT NO: LITA 183
RELEASE DATE:
EST. SHIP DATE:
GENRE / STYLE:
- Ambient / New Age
- J-Pop
- Electronic Minimalism
- Experimental
RELEASE DESCRIPTION
RELEASE DESCRIPTION
Somewhere Between: Mutant Pop, Electronic Minimalism & Shadow Sounds of Japan 1980–1988 hovers vibe–wise between two distinct poles within Light In The Attic’s acclaimed Japan Archival Series—Kankyō Ongaku: Japanese Ambient, Environmental & New Age Music 1980–1990 and Pacific Breeze: Japanese City Pop, AOR & Boogie 1976–1986. All three albums showcase recordings produced during Japan’s soaring bubble economy of the 1980s, an era in which aesthetic visions and consumerism merged. Music echoed the nation’s prosperity and with financial abundance came the luxury to dream.
Sonically, Somewhere Between mines the midpoint between Kankyō Ongaku’s sparkling atmospherics and Pacific Breeze’s metropolitan boogie. The compilation encompasses ambient pop, underground electronics, liminal minimalism, and shadow sounds—all descriptors emphasizing the hazy nature of the nebula. Out–of–focus rhythms wear ethereal accoutrements, ballads are shrouded in static, and angular drums snake skyward on transcendent tones. From the Avant–minimalism of Mkwaju Ensemble and Yoshio Ojima, to the leftfield techno-pop of Mishio Ogawa and Noriko Miyamoto (featuring members of YMO), and highlights from the groundbreaking Osaka underground label Vanity Records, these are blurry constellations defying collective categorization.
These tracks also exist in a space of transition when the major label grip on the Japanese recording market began to give way to the escalation of independents. Thanks to the idyllic economic climate and innovations in domestically–manufactured music gear, creators on the edges were empowered to focus on satisfying their artistic visions in the open headspace of home studios. While labels like Warner Music and Nippon Columbia explored new sounds through traditional channels, it was possible for Vanity, Balcony, and other indie labels, not to mention self–released artists like Ojima and Naoki Asai, to publish their work via affordable media such as cassettes, 7" vinyl, and flexi–discs.
Expertly curated by Yosuke Kitazawa and Mark “Frosty” McNeill (dublab), Somewhere Between is a collection of music, much of it released for the first time outside Japan, that is bound more by energetic vibration than shared history, genre or scene. They are the sounds of transition and searching—a celebration of the freedom found in floating.
TRACKLIST
TRACKLIST
1. Noriko Miyamoto - Arrows / Eyes
2. Mishio Ogawa - Hikari No Ito Kin No Ito
3. Yoshio Ojima - Days Man
4. Mkwaju Ensemble - Tira-Rin
5. R.N.A-ORGANISM - WEIMAR 22
6. Naoki Asai - Yakan Hikou
7. Takami Hasegawa - Koneko To Watashi
8. Mammy - Mizu No Naka No Himitsu
9. Dip in the Pool - Hasu No Enishi
10. Wha Ha Ha - Akatere
11. D-Day - Sweet Sultan
12. Perfect Mother - Dark Disco-Da·Da·Da·Da·Run
13. Neo Museum - Area
14. Sonoko - Wedding With God (À Nijinski)
LISTEN
LISTEN
CREDITS
CREDITS
ABOUT THE ARTIST
ABOUT THE ARTIST




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from 32 reviewsThe vinyl in great condition got here when expected and sounds amazing
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fast service & quick response, Good+
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I got this for my husband as a gift and he really loved it. Great sound and beautiful color. I’m so glad I got this vinyl.

Beautiful vinyl. Good price. Came packaged well.

Really happy with the vinyl box set. It was sent quickly, well packaged and made it to Australia unscathed 😊
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Came exactly as described and in perfect condition, the best shipment service on vinyls I’ve ever had. Fast and accurate, I’ve had records ordered for almost a month with another store and these guys continually beat out all other stores for shipment. I just ordered again from them, highly recommend.
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The album arrived well packaged, in impeccable condition. Love the service. Love this album!

Great shop, I can only recommend it.

I finally received it. It came well packaged and secure. The customer assistance was great and helpful with my queries.

honestly i was very happy to have this poster come in, and imma buy a frame for it later. the poster is really beautiful and i love it, there was a slight defect to it, no fault to the company, but the mailing service itself, but it doesnt really bother me at all since it’s barely noticeable, i am just so happy to own it!!

Beautiful packaging and lovely sonic excursions abound from this vinyl. Thank you !̦ Helix.
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Excellent album. I had never purchased from this vendor before and I was initially leary (this album is sold out on bandcamp and Materia Collective's site, and I'd never heard of Helix). But the album arrived quickly and was packaged very securely. I wish the "gold swirl" was a touch more apparent but I understand that each record will look different. Wonderful release from Rozen overall.

Great album that been on list for a while,had to grab for this great price! And shipping was pretty fast as well ,will definitely recommend and shop again.🙏🏽
