4/5
Sakanature
There are few things in this world that have the beauty, tranquillity and serenity of a Japanese garden. 'Garden Studies', the debut LP from Ami Kusakari, is one of them. You will know Kusakari as the brilliant bassist of one of the best bands in Japan, Sakanaction. From monster records like 'Kaiju', to their 'Shintakarajima' signature. Taking inspiration from bassists like Red Hot Chilli Pepper, Flea, Este Haim and Stuart Zender (formerly of Jamiroquai), Ami Kusakari has also worked with Fender, who recently opened an outstanding flagship store in Tokyo, exploring The American Professional II Jazz Bass. Outside of Sapporo's very own Sakanaction, Kusakari has featured on records by Junlzawa ('Drift'), alongside cutting an EP with Mabanua and YonYon ('Iris/Pray For Peace'). Yet, these 'Garden Studies' seem to make for Ami's most personal project yet. A perfect "portable sound garden."
Ambience is at its finest in a beautiful bloom. Close to nature, Kusakari temporarily trades her bass for an inspired instrumental album. It begins with the 'Sound Of A Pier' that will take you higher than the tree like skylines in cities that at times overwhelm even the strongest of us. It's like stepping out into a fresh breeze by the sea, after the subtle alarm like opening segues into traditional instruments that feel as Japanese as paying your respects at a shrine. Teaching us to how to achieve moments of Zen on the cool 'Icy', a state of calm begins to become second nature as you put this record on in the middle of the night, or a new break of day. It grows even more on 'Ginkgo Tree', as atmospheric sounds and perfect piano washes over you. A ginkgo tree is ornamental, yellowing in Autumn before losing all its leaves in a single day. Falling as delicately as the sounds that envelope your ears here, and on the cinematic 'rustle', up next. Growing every day like a garden's renewal. Replenishing and healing.
'Under the soil', Ami gets even closer to earth and the nature of all things. We feel not only the transience of life, like 'mono no aware', but also the notion of all these moments we go through being forever etched in memory. There's a profound stillness of studying your garden that will stay with you, even through the darkest days, as you see the light of calm on the other side. Right now, in Japan, it's hotter than the July of a Stevie Wonder album, but as the refreshing 'RainFalls' this season, you'll feel even more bliss in this terrific take from Kusakari. Bringing you a sense of peace and release, what seems on the surface as a simple recording, is the very art of nature itself, and one of this record's best. Especially when chimes curtain close this track. All before the seventh seal and eight-minute wonder, 'a Garden', is the final note of these studies. This work from the Sakanaction member even evokes similar sounds to the posthumous 'Seeing Sound/Hearing Time' epic exhibition from late legend Ryuichi Sakamoto. Not to mention his other work, as the drums come into play. Kusakari's band are about to wrap up their tour in Yokohama's K-Arena this August, and we can't wait to hear what they have in store next. But as Ami amazes with her very own album in her garden, we hope to study more. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Sound Of A Pier', 'Ginkgo Tree', 'RainFalls'.
Spin This: Ami Kusakari.mabanua.YonYon - 'iris/pray for peace'
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