Assembly EP

Japanese producer Matsumoto’s debut for the label, the ‘Ram EP’, marked him out as one to watch, in addition to his work with his own cult label Lero, a release on Clone’s Royal Oak imprint, and a beautiful collaboration on Paxton Fettel's recent LP. Born in the Japanese countryside, and having made music since the age of 15, Matsumoto’s thoughtful sound is marked out by his restrained and sparing usage of elements, each track like a delicate carving bursting with subtle detail. Classic house mode is engaged on ‘Be’, combining a bumping bass line with melancholy piano chords and chattering arpeggios, while ‘On The March’ pares flamboyant jazz keys with pistoning drums and dusty noise stabs to memorable effect. ‘Rain Flower’ opens up the sonic palette on side two with winsome steel drum flourishes and a broken rhythm track, while ‘Trash Track’ keeps up the pace with a contemporary house/boogie-led excursion, rubbery basslines drive the track with whispered vocals and lush strings hinting at some unspoken truth. Stunning closer ‘An Oriental Tale' reveals Takuya at his most exquisite, majestic classical piano and minimalistic accompaniment combine to an emotive misty-eyed ending.