Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2011

Photo courtesy of Ki/oon

A decade is a long stretch to make an album, but it’s not as if Yoshinori Sunahara has been sitting on his hands the whole time. He’s often busy producing for Sony’s stable of artists—including a stint with famous elepop duo Denki Groove.

But he’s clearly given his new album Liminal time to breathe and grow naturally, and the slow-go approach has paid off. The name of the album—apparently representing Sunahara’s interest in transition zones between different states—could also apply to the way it blurs the line between genres of electronic music.

Opening in the minimal techno vein of “The First Step,” Liminal then moves easily to a nice slice of easygoing, downtempo breakbeats in the form of “Physical Music.” The tempo shifts down again for the chillout atmosphere of “Natural” before picking up the pace for the danceable tracks “Bluelight” and “Boiling Point.”

The album closes with the title track, a shimmering conclusion of spare, elongated synth pads. Sunahara will be bringing his synched audiovisual live performance to numerous events and festivals this summer, including Fuji Rock…

Meanwhile, a who’s who of international DJs have banded together to support the Tohoku aid effort under the title Red Dot Relief. The group has already raised tens of thousands of dollars in relief funds, and a fundraiser is scheduled for next Saturday in Aoyama.

Red Dot Relief Tokyo takes place under the rubric of NGO Peace Boat’s international coordinator Emilie McGlone’s Parties 4 Peace network, and proceeds will go to benefit Peace Boat’s volunteer operation in hard-hit Ishinomaki city.

Slated to appear are Ryo Matsui, the 2010 winner of Parties 4 Peace’s Patagonica contest and 2011 winner Hirose, along with DJs Ahimsa and Tazzy. Sounds will run from the sparser side of minimal techno through to the warmer vibes of tech-house.

Red Dot Relief was launched by DJ Jay Haze, who previously spent 12 days aboard Peace Boat as a lecturer and activist; well-known techno/electro label Crosstown Rebels; and Tuning Spork, run by DJ Seth Troxler.
It’s natural for the dance community to come together to support Japan, one of its strongest markets. But for Troxler the mission is personal: according to the Red Dot Relief website his Japanese fiancée’s family was hard-hit by the disaster.

Jun 25 @Favela. From 11pm, ¥2,500. Nearest stn: Gaienmae. Tel: 03-5411-9339. www.favela.jp

Liminal is available on Ki/oon Records.