Gaijin Blues by Gaijin Blues

"A meandering approach, with break-downs and left turns along the way" – The Vinyl Factory, The 10 Best new vinyl releases this week 29/1/19

"The gorgeous Gaijin Blues" – Nemone, BBC 6 Music

"Just about the coolest electronic inspired thing i’ve heard this year." – Emanative, Jazzman Records

"This is something to look out for" – Esa, Worldwide FM

"Yeah, Feeling this!" Errol, Touching Base, NTS

"This is rather lovely" – Lexis, Music Is My Sanctuary

"Loving Guardia Castle" – Red Rack'em, Bergerac, Rinse FM

"Nice and smooth beat with a touch of orientalism" – Anchorsong, Tru Thoughts

Gaijin Blues is Naphta and band mate Playstation Yoga Music’s tribute to Japanese pop culture, manga and video games. This EP is the result of tours to different regions of Japan and spending time in record shops, as well as playing classic RPGs. Gaijin Blues is a blend between Japanese and Western music with live studio instruments. It's a feeling, an expression and a time and space vehicle.

Secret of Mana explores live percussion and bass with strings, live flute and dreamy vocals, whilst Cafe LeBlanc references a peaceful location in JRPG Persona 5 and features more soothing strings and is inspired by manga soundtracks.

Metal Gear Rex is string-lead and features complex melodies and vocal chops. Another tribute to Japanese gaming culture, this one has a driving, hypnotic bassline and an eye on the dance floor. Guardia Castle opens with a 4/4 disco beat before introducing unexpected layers of blissful, melodic female vocals, acoustic guitars and flutes.

Gaijin Blues are Paweł Klimczak (Naphta) and Michał Szczepaniec. Driven by an exploration of Japanese music and video games, Gaijin Blues pulls from traditional music, fusion jazz, and disco to create a unique texture using found sound and live instrumentation.

Facebook
Instagram