if you like j-pop and havent, please take a look at HAPPY
www.12k.com
313 tie in: label is owned by taylor deupree, who is part of prototype 909,
and they are playing in detroit during demf :)
----- Original Message -----
From: "theREALmxyzptlk" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "313 Org" <313@hyperreal.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 8:54 AM
Subject: (313) Technodon in the Tokyodome
If you need relevance clarified, a few years back I lent Clark Warner &
Liz Copeland the bulk of my YMO (and offshoot projects) CD collection for
Liz's "Focus Electronic" show on WDET which was exploring the roots of
techno/electronic music. Bryan Bickel (r.i.p.) knew I was a major J-Pop
fan and sent Clark to me for some resources concerning the show. I believe
(this was at least 5-7 years ago and I'm old, so my mind wanders) Clark
said Derrick and co. used to ride around listening to YMO on their car
stereos.
Anyway, I pulled this DVD out from the 1993 ("not YMO" reunion) show for
Technodon last night. Maybe it's just me, but 13 years on, it's still
blows me away with its deeply asian, kraftwerkian funk and I have to say
that especially now, I can hear these guys as unsung shapers of
electronic/techno music with an unique spin on it.
I've been waving the flag for YMO since the late 70s, but I've always
leaned more towards the stark mechanics of Technodelic (while I still
enjoy the whole Rydeen, Tong Poo side of things), and I found Technodon
the logical extension of the former - infused with cyberpunk techo
sensibilities.
It's rare live footage that can let you get a feel of opening up the ouvre
of an artist to let you get a feel of what the music is all about, but
this piece does just that to my eyes and ears. I can hear Japan in what
they do the way I can hear Detroit in Carl Craig - and I can hear the call
and response of cross pollination in both.
I know I'm not announcing anything new here; everybody has Sakamoto's B2
Unit and the first 2-3 YMO records, but I believe Technodon and
Technodelic are still overlooked (as well as Hosono's S-F-X and
Philharmony). This video shows why they need to be investigated. Watch it
all the way through before you judge it.
jeff
