Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Sakamoto Ryūichi's label commmons has a series of compilations coming with a book, called "schola". The series started with 3 installments of classical music, but vol.4 brought jazz, and now vol.5 invites the two other YMO members Takahashi Yukihiro and Hosono Haruomi with a theme of "drums & bass". The two select songs where drums and bass give an important groove. As a bonus, the two last tracks are covers by YMO!

Pricey, though this comes with a 120-page booklet in a nice packaging that should make it a keeper. This is volume 5 in a planned series of 30.

There's a related TV program on NHK that airs every Saturday from 23:45. The archived episodes can be viewed at the official page at commmons. (You will need to follow the black links with an arrow on the right-hand side. Each episode is streamed in two parts which can be toggled with the "前編" and "後編" buttons on the episode's page.)

Various Artists "commmons: schola vol.5 Yukihiro Takahashi & Haruomi Hosono Selections: Drums & Bass"

1. Rock Steady / Aretha Franklin
2. How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone / Diana Ross & The Supremes
3. What's Goin' On / Donny Hathaway
4. It's The Same Old Song / Four Tops
5. Cold Sweat / James Brown
6. Hey Pocky A-Way / The Meters
7. A Salty Dog / Procol Harum
8. Lonely Too Long / The Young Rascals
9. I'll Take You There / The Staple Singers
10. The Skunk, The Goose, And The Fly / Tower Of Power
11. Vildgolia (Deaf, Dumb & Blind) / Gil Scott-Heron
12. In The Midnight Hour / Wilson Pickett
13. Let Me Be The One
14. Hello, Goodbye / The Beatles (Yellow Magic Orchestra)
15. Thank You For Talkin' To Me Africa / Sly & The Family Stone (Yellow Magic Orchestra)

commmons RZCM-45965
Out now (4/21), ¥8500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV