Kindai Tek(I)

Of all the noodly compilations doing the rounds at the moment – and lordy, is there a lot of them – Kinda Tek (1) sits somewhere near the top of the pile. A collection of fresh beats – probably the best way to describe them – from Japan, this is indeed quite worthy of your attention.

Calm’s superlative remix of Organ Language’s ‘Kagura’ opens proceedings brilliantly – its languid, tribal drums, gorgeous piano and measured 4/4 sets the tone perfectly. The stringy breakbeat business of Quante Jubila and the scatty, oddball d’n’b of Romp’s ‘P2D For N’ also excel, as do the most conventional tracks; deep house from Sonic Balloon and the Detroit-tinged jazzy house of Kenkou. Only the murky, mediocre ‘Depth’ from Takayuki Shirashi fails to shine – though that’s more to do with the quality of the competition than anything else.