Whoever had the bright idea at Tru-Thoughts to release a 10th Anniversary version of 'Ceremonial' by Anchorsong deservers to have an event to celebrate - but where is it?
You have to go back to the Salamanda remix of Anchorsong's 'Windmills' (see review HERE) for his last release but back in 2016, the album called 'Ceremonial'.
At that time, I'm not sure everyone was in tune with or ready for a Masaaki Yoshida's Daedelus meets Carlos Niño at a Shinto wedding; or even his earlier ('The Storytelling', 2007) where his ambient, downtempo instrumental tracks were accompaned with a live string quartet.
Whilst it was big on the BBC 6 Music playlists, even massive Japanophile like DJ Gilles Peterson said,"He's [Anchorsong] been in his own lane for some time".
Well, this is as good a time as any to re-appraise the Tokyo-born / London based Yoshida as these 10 tracks are more to do with Afrobeat and Highlife circa 70s Orchestre Poly-Rythmo than electronic hip-hop instrumentals that it got mis-aligned.
Of course, any pusedo-concept album like this must start with 'Eve' and 'Mother' whilst the other tracks, 'Oriental Suite', 'Kajo', 'Monsoon', 'Butterflies', 'Rendezvous', 'Last Feast' and the synth-acid climax 'Ceremony' all add to the party.
For an album built around his MPC and keyboards some of the best bits are the mix of ganelan and twangy surf guitars.
A true original and good to have it back - ten years afte!
BUY LINK: Ceremonial | Anchorsong
Artist: Anchorsong
Title: Ceremonial
Release date: 22nd January, 2016
Label : Tru-Thoughts
Catalog Number : TRU317
Format : Digital / Bandcamp
Title: Ceremonial
Release date: 22nd January, 2016
Label : Tru-Thoughts
Catalog Number : TRU317
Format : Digital / Bandcamp
PS. Alway as good idea to remind us that Tru Thoughts ended 2022 with their best release of the year [Ed. that's because you're Edit was on it - see A Different Style EP by Biggabush]
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