Here is a portal to a vast and relatively unknown world, the Japanese cyber-occult underground media scene of the early 1990s; our guide is the late Henry Kawahara, a media artist and electronic music producer whose expansive and visionary conception of digital technology merged with a desire to break free of the constraints of mere rationality. This collection, the first-ever archival release of his work, is drawn from recordings released during the period 1991-1996, an exceptionally fertile time for Kawahara.

Originally released on CD by a few Japanese independent labels including Hachiman Publishing, a cyber-occult / new-age / old Shinto book specialist, the releases were available mainly in book stores, so this sumptuous and prescient music has remained relatively unknown. The original titles and tag lines of the CDs give clues about Kawahara’s interests and the music itself: Digital Mushroom, Subtropical Illusion, Never-ending Asia, and so on.

This 13-track gateway compilation is available on double 12” vinyl with download code, and features extensive English liner notes.

Release Notes:

• The first-ever archival release of Henry Kawahara’s work on vinyl
• Fold-out 6p insert (LP)
• Includes Liner notes by Keisuke Oki, Koki Emura
• Includes an interview of Sūgen Takeda (Hachiman Publishings)

Tracklist:

• In My Relationship with You, I Think about Myself on the Bed (Panpot Version)
• Primitive Love (Genshi no ai) (Delayed Version) 03. Start on a Journey
• Sound LSD #.SS05/7.83HZ (Radio Mix)
• ECO-Loocation
• Sing an Anklungs
• Lilac Strings
• [java] dance #2. “RELAXED”
• Nanpū (South Wind) (First 1992 version)
• Children in the Museum (Original Nov. 1991 Mix) 11. Nicea ʼN Bark
• YEBISU/Yellow #2.
• Yorokobi-No-Koe
• Destination of Endorphins) (Original Edit)
• Dance of Electronic Neuron Circuits) (First Mix)