Ayane Shino is a Japanese classical guartist who has re-imagined the works of the late electronic music producer Rei Harakami, and not only is it beautiful, it's uniquely chilled and festival approved.
If you're a fan of Paul Hillery and your looking to compile a Japanese inspired version of 'Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours' and you've already checked out the 'love letter to Japan' that is Mark de Clive-Lowe's 'past present (tone poems across time - see review HERE), 'River' is definitely the next point of call after Shino follows up her 2021 album, 'Sakura - The timber of guitar #1 Susumu Yokota'.
'River' is a typical homage to elements to traditional Japanese 'themes', 'sayonara', 'last night', 'red curb', 'the backstroke' (Ed. ?) and the title track itself, that reflect the hypnotic themes of Harakami in acoustic guitar form. So impressive that the eight minute 'Theme Of Red Curb' becomes more Spanish in style.
This album is going to increase interest in Shino and Harakami, who, up until his untimely passing at the age of 40, he was seen as the 'next' Haruomi 'Harry' Hosono (who had a pre-YMO psych, jazz and folk-pop period himself) and Ryuichi Sakamoto (RIP, also see Nick Luscombe's tribute via 'CITY MUSIC TOKYO - see review HERE).
A very cool album from a highly sort after label - definitely ones to follow.
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