"This compilation is a sweet snapshot of a sophisticated sector of young Japanese pop music circa 2014. Originally released as a series of web-only EPs on Dai Ogasawaras Ano(t)raks label, Light Wave features artists born in the 1990s who have been strongly influenced by the melodic, sophisticated Japanese "city pop" music of the 70s and 80s, as exemplified by such revered names as Tatsuro Yamashita, Yumi Arai, and Tin Pan Alley. These musicians also draw inspiration from the "shibuya style" pop of the 90s, including artists like Pizzicato Five and Cornelius. But whereas these earlier artists were living in boom times and recording in luxurious studios financed by major record companies, these young artists have been born into a glum economic era with a decimated recording industry. Nevertheless, through the magic of sheer willpower and surprisingly assured musical and self-production skills, they make joyous, lighthearted, and refreshingly refined pop music. With strong melodies and inspired arrangements, this fresh new wave of city pop is perfect summer music, all year round. Remastered to EM Records exacting standards, this collection showcases a promising generation of pure pop music in Japan. Includes 20-page booklet with liner notes by Ryohei Matsunaga, lyrics, artist bios, and English translations. Includes tracks by Hesonosuke, Miho Tsujibayashi, Shin Rizumu featuring Sodapop, rizumu & ikkubaru, and Sodapop (including a track featuring Yuriko Ohno). CD also includes a track by Umanosora and an extra track by Hesonosuke. LP (EM 1137LP) also includes a track by Like This Parade." - EM
After nearly a decade of false starts, multiple game plans veering off the rails, and a handful of shattered hopes and/or dreams, the odyssey is finally complete—the new Fusetron site is here.
This is the first phase of a multipart rollout that will span the next few months: the currently browsable stock includes miscellaneous new releases from the past 8+ months (we have a lot of catching up to do), plus approximately a third of our backstock. Note that we’ve reduced/slashed prices on many titles and will continue to do so in order to make room for new stock. We’ll also be expanding / tweaking / improving / debugging the site itself (for example, we still have work to do on the automated international postage system, not to mention the inevitable inventory discrepancies that come with transferring an ancient and massive database to a new system).
Over the next few months, as we take inventory, clean house, and delve into our storage, we will be uploading thousands of additional items, gradually, on a near-daily basis. This will include the majority of the LPs, as well as many titles, in all formats, once thought long-gone. Many currently “sold out” items are likely to resurface.
Finally, once our general backstock is up (probably in the next two or three months) we’ll begin making our extensive stockpile of rarities available online for the first time: tons of random out-of-print titles, "deadstock," warehouse finds, secondhand collectibles, etc., accumulated over the past few decades.
Frequent/returning customers will be getting early access to these items. Details to follow on how this will work (a priority mailing list? a 'frequent flyer'-like program?), but it will not be based on dollars spent. We want to reward those who consistently support us, especially in the discogs marketplace era (to those who show up trying to poach five copies of a one-off rarity, and nothing else, ever… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ).
So—we suggest you take some time to dig through the site—even we’ve been surprised by what’s been turning up, and there’s much more to come.
