at the risk of setting a precedent, i’m going to review a couple of records. i just made my first few purchases from the itunes music store, after like 2 years of having a mac with itunes. i am admittedly a stubborn vinyl fetishist.

the first purchase was towa tei’s new album, ‘flash‘, which i for sure would have bought a hard copy of if it were more available. this is more of the same towa- the likely collaborations and the characteristic impeccable and immediately recognizable production steelo. the collabos are a little less hip hop, more house. if you like towa, you will like this. ‘nuf said.

the second is yuka honda’s “memories are my only witness.” this album sounds like cibo matto (minus lyrical stylings) meets ryuichi sakamoto. it’s crisp, introspective and ethereal. the song titles are major. cop factor = 7/10 for matto fans. sakamoto haters need not apply.