Tru Thoughts レコード& CD

Review: Curiously, Anchorsong's sophomore set Ceremonial didn't appear on vinyl when it first appeared back in February 2016. Happily, Tru Thoughts has finally relented to pressure and pressed it up on wax. It remains a beguiling and beautiful set, with the Japanese producer somehow managing to create audio gold out of little more than an MPC-2500 workstation and a keyboard. While there are plenty of moments of fluid, eyes-shut beauty dotted throughout - see "Eve", "Oriental Suite", "Butterflies" and the outstanding "Monsoon" - the set also contains some crunchy beats ("Expo"), a thrillingly bass-heavy, steel-drums laden groover ("Rendezvous") and a seriously humid, tropical workout ("Last Forest").

Review: London-based Japanese producer Anchorsong is a modern-day MPC master who conjures up real magic with his preferred music-making machine. His fourth album, Mirage, is another hugely anticipated affair that lives up to the hype. It's all hazy soundscapes and a rich array of instruments including wind, choirs, and global sonic particles. The record was half-written during the lockdown and moves away from the format of the previous two records which were anchored around specific geographical references. This one is inspired by the endless landscapes of his mind and imagination. It is broader and better as a result.

Review: Since delivering his debut album, Chapters, on Tru Thoughts back in 2011, Anchorsong has become renowned for creating beautiful, deep and picturesque electronic music using only an MPC-2500 and a keyboard. Here, he finally delivers a follow-up, and it's every bit as beguiling as its' predecessor. While there are plenty of moments of fluid, eyes-shut beauty - see "Eve", "Oriental Suite", "Butterflies" and the outstanding "Monsoon" - the Japanese producer wisely chooses to mix things up a little. Thus, you'll also find crunchy beats ("Expo"), bass-heavy, steel drums-laden groovers ("Rendezvous"), and humid, tropical workouts ("Last Feast"). Throughout, his dedication to mood and melody remains in tact.

Review: France-via-Brussels duo Nikitch & Kuna Maze are back and in fine form with their new LP for Tru Thoughts. It is a fine development after the success of the signature sound they cooked up on their first - lively broken beat rhythms, sun kissed synth sounds and lovely basslines. Jazz, UKG, Latin, soul and more all feature and there is a real sense of understanding of the 70s classics in the improvised melodies. Some tunes are suave and seductive, some are sweaty and for dancing. All of them are great.