quête:designer

Back in the 1990s video games were still largely seen as nerdy: fun, sure, but basically a guilty pleasure that you’d soon grow out of. The release in 1995 of wipE'out'', a lightning-fast, razor-sharp, futuristic racing game that helped to launch the PlayStation in Europe and North America, changed all that. This was a game that looked and sounded both adult and cool, the kind of game you would put on display in your living room, rather than hide away under your bed. Key to this was the fact that wipE'out'' borrowed unashamedly from the clubbing experience and electronic music, in a way that put it at the heart of progressive mid 90s culture. It soon became a phenomenon.

wipE'out'' looked sensational, with Sheffield agency The Designers Republic - known for their work with Warp - creating the visuals, packaging and manual for the game, drawing heavily on the bright colours and excitable geometric shapes of the rave and club flyers of the early 90s.

wipE'out'' also sounded like a new rave dream. The European version of the game included music from The Chemical Brothers, Leftfield and Orbital, the kind of fashionable game syncs that were almost unheard of at the time. Equally striking was the game’s original music, which came from Welsh musician Tim Wright, aka CoLD SToRAGE, by this point already a veteran in the video games world, having worked on the music for Amiga titles such as Lemmings and Shadow of the Beast 2. His music for wipE'out'' was, if anything, even more extreme than the big-name syncs, mixing the accelerated beats of drum & bass with the pure synth rush of trance to make music that sounded as breathlessly exciting as playing the game felt.

These tracks were burned into the brains of millions of gamers; the soundtrack to a generation of late-night anti-gravity racing, as the sun gingerly rose beyond the curtains. But they haven’t, perhaps, quite got the respect they deserve, something that this release will address. In 2023, video game music is finally getting its dues; here, remastered and repackaged –and also remixed by cutting edge producers such as Kode9, μ-Ziq, Brainwaltzera, Simo Cell, Wordcolour, James Shinra, Surgeons Girl and Dattassette– are some of the most important, thrilling, innovative and most fun songs ever committed to game release.

Artefacts is the second part of the diptych of 2 albums by Hihats In Trees, pseudonym for Belgian drummer, producer Lander Gyselinck

HHIT’s unprecedented experiments with rhythm and acoustic textures on its debut album ‘Disleksikon’, released in 2019, was well received. On Artefacts HHIT takes it a step further. A truly sensational sonic realm is explored.

Hihats In Trees’ obsession with singular physical objects, materials of wood, stone, metal evokes a dark dystopian sentiment and a recurring melancholy. A poetic expression of the solid object. In Artefacts, through this language with materials, the physical objects come to life sonically. The 10 compositions revolve around this peculiar vocabulary of texture and rhythm, balancing between the dance floor and a solitary ritual, reminiscing on HHIT’s major influences of gqom, detroit techno, hiphop and experimental ambient.

Fashion designer Dries Van Noten was fascinated by HHIT’s musical experiments, This resulted in a collaboration with photographer Viviane Sassen for his Spring Summer collection in 2021 with music by HHIT, partly from Disleksikon, partly tracks later to be released on Artefacts. Artefacts is released on the Brussels based label Maloca Records, run by dj, producer Le Motel.

Der Rotterdamer DJ/Produzent Jochem Paap begann 1990 unter dem Pseudonym Speedy J - als Anspielung auf seine DJ-Skills - Techno-Tracks zu kreieren. 1993 erschien sein Debütalbum 'Ginger' mit der Absicht, 'seine Musik aus dem Rave in die Hörumgebung zu Hause zu bringen' (allmusic), was seinen minimalistischen, aber melodischen Produktionsstil einem breiteren Publikum zugänglich machte. Kritiker lobten seine akribische Aufmerksamkeit für das Audiodesign, den geschickten Einsatz von Interludes und eine sorgfältige Balance von Four-to-the-Floor-Grooves mit Ambient-Texturen. 'Ginger' wurde in zahlreichen Retrospektiven von Trendsetter-Magazinen wie Pitchfork, The Wire und FACT als wegweisender Release hervorgehoben. Die 2021 remasterte Reissue kommt im Originaldesign der langjährigen Warp-Begleiter The Designers Republic.

"There could barely be a better figurehead for Belgrade's simmering multi-limbed music scene than Jan Nemeèek" The Quietus `Dissolved', a new album by Serbian synthesist and sound designer Jan Nemeèek, began its life cycle in a studio live room. It unpacks the paradigm of the individualistic act of computer music creation, transporting it into the communal setting of a band, its performers contributing elements ranging from prepared piano to Turkish lyre. The album opens with an unexpected falter, a false start that imbues the album with a sense of vulnerability. It's as if the album itself is finding its footing, mirroring the dissonance of an orchestra tuning. This digital ensemble, an assembly of electronic voices, seems to search for its harmony, its discord, its pitch, its timbre - much like a traditional counterpart would. As it unfolds, `Dissolved' further taps into the raw tonalities of partially defunct digital synthesizers, ranging from early 2000s' attempts at neural networks to precursors of oscillator-laden software synthesizers, in order to build its cloud of suspended tension and alternate histories. Through this clash of wistful piano and biting frost of digital pads with the iridescent hum of tube amps, the album reflects New Age tropes through the prism of metal (machine) music. Hailing from Belgrade, Serbia, Jan Nemeèek has been releasing electronic music since 2005, with a particular focus on ambient and bass-heavy electronic compositions. Nemeèek's music is characterized by his use of a wide range of sound generating tools, including neural networks, analog synthesizers, and granular synthesis. His approach to music production allows his work to unfold with patience, influenced by borderline dub sub-bass movements and heavily based on deconstructed recordings. Jan has released several albums, most notably 2014's Fragmented and later Recurrences. Prior to that, he co-founded the Creative Commons-based net label Norbu. `Dissolved' is set to be released on vinyl and digital on 10th November 2023 via Refractions, a new imprint founded by Nemeèek.

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New Zealand indie trifecta Mermaidens, are set to make a resounding splash in the music scene yet again with the announcement of their fourth self-titled album and release of the project's first single ‘I like to be alone’. The trio, comprising of Gussie Larkin (guitar/vocals), Lily West (bass/vocals), and Abe Hollingsworth (drums), has been on an impressive journey of musical excellence, boasting three critically acclaimed albums, international tours, and a slew of accolades to their name. With a sound that is both bold and adventurous, Mermaidens' music is a testament to their unwavering creativity and relentless work ethic. Their upcoming self-titled album, a product of the band's tireless efforts between 2019 - 2022, promises to be a captivating sonic journey, delving into themes of self-awareness, introspection, long-term love, and even channelling political anger and frustration. Recorded mainly at Surgery Studios in Wellington, with the engineering prowess of Lee Prebble and produced by Samuel Flynn-Scott of The Phoenix Foundation fame, the album also saw the band stepping up their production game with Gussie and Lily working their magic with Protools in their DIY home studios, showcasing their growth and versatility as artists. “Working with Sam has really been a round-trip in our creativity,” as Lily explains, “we grew up listening to Sam’s early records and here we are getting the inside scoop on how to make that kind of magic. Listening to Pegasus today still transports me to a time when I listened to music on a Walkman. In the best possible way - sometimes it felt like we’d added an evil genius to the mix, we’d be working on a song and he’d come in like a mad scientist with fresh ideas to try.” To give fans a taste of the upcoming album's brilliance, Mermaidens have released new single 'I like to be alone.' The song has been part of the band's live repertoire for a while and explores the fulfilling contentment of being alone and the struggle to convey this sentiment to a partner. Its relatable lyrics capture the essence of cherishing solitude while navigating the complexities of human connections. Gussie's candid and honest approach to self-discovery is complemented by the song's, Michel Gondry inspired video, as Gussie explains: “The giant jean pocket and denim world were created by Hannah Webster, a textile designer and illustrator based in Wellington. Hannah took all the wild ideas for props and made them come true! I’m still in awe of how she managed to sew a 6x6 metre backdrop for the denim world out of whatever scraps she could find. The video captures our playfulness and sense of humour, and is a hint of what’s to come for the rest of the music videos. I love the way the story wraps up with the three of us together, literally playing “in the pocket”. Mermaidens' self-titled album will be released on Friday 3 November 2023 and is available for pre-order now. UK listeners will be able to pick up an exclusive Rough Trade vinyl pressing in transparent red, along with an A3 poster and jumbo bumper sticker. Having released their last two albums through iconic local label Flying Nun, Mermaidens will be released independently. Creative control is an important pillar for the band, who are hands on in every facet of their projects. Mermaidens gather their community close via their hugely popular multi-city boutique festival Mermgrown, hosting peers including Womb, Hans Pucket, Vera Ellen (Girl Friday) and Kōtiro from 2021 onwards. They've been invited to share the stage with Death Cab For Cutie, Sleater-Kinney, Gang of Four, Parquet Courts, Lorde and The Veils, and have toured extensively in Europe, the UK, and Australia.

After a quarter-century hiatus, the legendary jungle artist M-Beat has resurfaced with Mekatune, his newly established label. Mekatune serves as a platform for unveiling not only his extensive back catalog but also fresh, innovative material from himself and other luminaries of the jungle music scene.

This exclusive boxset comprises five vinyl records, each elegantly housed in a black paper sleeve ensconced within a high-quality, 3mm-spined card housebag. Renowned DJ Mag designer Martin Brown has lent his artistic touch to each housebag, featuring a captivating montage of M-Beat's illustrious history spanning three decades. The reverse side of these housebags reveals an in-depth interview conducted by Dave Jenkins, delving into M-Beat's origins, his prolific career, and the enigmatic disappearance that kept fans in suspense for so long. The five housebags nestle snugly within a beautifully crafted card slipcase, forming a stunning piece of jungle and drum & bass history.

Moreover, each track in this boxset has undergone meticulous remastering by Dapz at Compound Audio and precision vinyl cutting by Beau at Ten Eight Seven Mastering, ensuring an unparalleled audio experience. These 20 handpicked gems represent the pinnacle of M-Beat's discography, each highly sought after and commanding a premium on Discogs. With a limited run of just 500 units, the majority of which have already been claimed through pre-sale, this is a rare opportunity to own a piece of music history. Once sold out, there are no plans for a repress, making it an essential addition for collectors and jungle music enthusiasts alike.

Following up on their highly acclaimed debut release from 2020, raster presents Il Quadro di Troisi’s “Remixes” album, an eclectic collection of reinterpretations of eight of the duo’s tracks. By inviting fellow label artists as well as friends and long-term collaborators to contribute to this, “Remixes” shows a broad spectrum of diversity, ranging from colorful, loop-based renditions by Toulouse Low Trax and Tropicantesimo, to (Italo) disco-inspired versions by Daniele Baldelli & Marco Dionigi and Chloé, to more rhythmical and functional tracks by AtomTM, Dasha Rush and Front de Cadeaux. The album also includes a dub-infused reinterpretation of “Il giudizio” by the artists themselves. “Remixes” will be out on raster on August 18, 2023 as 2xLP and digitally. The record’s artwork was contributed by Spanish graphic designer Alicia Carrera.

The Spanish-Dominican label led by the Spanish Sergio Parrado and the Dominican Jee Bear presents its Lmtd series, where art, design and music go hand in hand. A collectible series where each reference is a piece of a mural by the Argentine designer Lucien Le Grub, this being the first of four.

This first reference is the work of Chilean Alejandro Vivanco (Cadenza, Melisma) who joins forces with fellow Chilean Dorian Chavez (8bit, Viva Music) to bring us this incredible “Dabtrack”.

The original cut (A1) is to go back in time, return to the essence of the mid-2000s where artists like Luciano or Ricardo Villalobos put the Andean country in the eyes of the world with their organic micro house. “Dabtrack” is about this, but with a renewed sound, where the organic and the digital embrace to create an intense track, with fat basses that will make the sound system rumble. Special synths that catch you to create a magnificent sound collage.

The A2 is for the master master and lord of the deep sound. We are talking about the Romanian Mihai Popoviciu, who brilliantly reinterprets the track and takes it to his own terrain, but without neglecting the essence of the original and giving it his particular groove that works so well late at night. The groove, together with the set of synths, which elaborates it magnificently, makes his remix of Dabtrack” an indispensable work in the DJ's suitcases.

Now it's time to close this incredible album. For this we have reserved the entire B-side for one of the Chilean artists who has left the most mark in the last two decades on the international electronic scene: Pier Bucci. He takes us on a 12-minute journey through his signature style where anything can happen. Little more to say, we invite you to discover it for yourself. Because it is a work of art.

UK dance music antagonist Works Of Intent redefines big room techno on ‘Richer Sound’, an album sampler with four new tracks to accompany the digital release of his album of the same title which features with six

all-new tracks alongside six cuts previously released on Laurent Garnier and Scan X's COD3 QR label.



Works Of Intent is a vital voice in the underground who champions the sounds and stories of South Asian creatives in his role as Project Manager and Visual Designer for DAYTIMERS. He has also written multiple essays on race, class and privilege in the industry while laying down expressive sets across four decks at key clubs like fabric, Panoramabar and Rex. His emotive, storytelling sounds have come on labels like Turbo, Rekids and Monkeytown, and outside that, he's a go-to mix engineer for some of the UK's most exciting prospects.



‘Richer Sound’ features six tracks previously released on the label’s Various Artist EPs and six brand new offerings that avoid tired big room tropes. Gone are the snare rolls, white noise risers and kick drops, instead Work's operates under the mantra of "big tunes for big hearts" where musicality makes the motive. The artist himself has taken care of the artwork, mixing and mastering and says of the album, “It’s melancholia turned up so loud you can’t ignore it. It’s a deafening barrage of emotions designed for super clubs. It’s unsubtle, it’s unabashed, it’s unrelenting, and it wears its heart on its sleeve. It’s unmistakably a work of intent.”



Cars and motorsport have been a recurring theme in previous Works Of Intent releases and appear again here in 'Left Unseen', which has the high octane, death-defying adrenaline of rally driving perfectly transposed into a big room techno experience. ''Old Ways, New Mistakes' bounces boisterously with stadium-sized kick drums and synthetic mourning that will break hearts across arenas. 'Dreamt I Saw You' takes fawning imaginations to lucid heights with a synthand cymbal pairing designed to get you stargazing in the club.



‘Richer Sound’ is just the sort of expertly-crafted, genre-busting work of emotional and physical potency you would expect from such a restless nonconformist as Works Of Intent.

Sampha announces the full details of his highly-anticipated, sophomore album LAHAI, out October 20th on Young. Taken from his paternal grandfather’s name, which is also Sampha’s middle name, LAHAI revels in the awe and magic of our existence, synthesizing the exquisite chaos that one experiences confronting the cycle of life and the beyondness. Spanning 14-tracks, with contributions from some of Sampha’s closest friends, peers and collaborators including: Yaeji, Léa Sen, Sheila Maurice Grey (Kokoroko), Ibeyi, Morgan Simpson (Black Midi), Yussef Dayes, Laura Groves and Kwake Bass, LAHAI, in contrast to Process, is a communal affair seeing Sampha explore the many ways in which we as humans connect to each other, and to something bigger than ourselves. On the album’s latest single “Only,” premiering today via a new music video directed by Dexter Navy in collaboration with Sampha, which follows the recent “Spirit 2.0,” we meet a newly energized Sampha, as he spits melodically over a fragmented hip-hop hued beat with co-production from El Guincho.

Not unlike its maker, LAHAI defies clear categorization. Spanning jazz, soul, rap, dance, jungle and west African music, LAHAI sees Sampha elevating his production and vocal ambition to great new heights. A notable singer, songwriter and producer, it’s no wonder that artists like Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy, Travis Scott and previously, Drake, Solange, Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne and Alicia Keys have all tapped the artist for his inimitable voice plus songwriting and production contributions to their music. His work expands across multiple disciplines, with previous creative partnerships including the fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, the Shy Light zine with Durimel (who also shot the LAHAI artwork) his Process film with director Kahlil Joseph, and most recently creative director Jonny Lu, with whom Sampha worked to create the LAHAI album artwork and logo.

If Process, Sampha’s 2017 Mercury-Prize-winning debut album, was an artist figuring out his own place in the world, engulfed in the shadows of grief and loss, LAHAI is an exercise in the radical acceptance and joy in the human condition, and the beauty in the journey itself. Welcome to Sampha’s next musical chapter: LAHAI.

Sampha announces the full details of his highly-anticipated, sophomore album LAHAI, out October 20th on Young. Taken from his paternal grandfather’s name, which is also Sampha’s middle name, LAHAI revels in the awe and magic of our existence, synthesizing the exquisite chaos that one experiences confronting the cycle of life and the beyondness. Spanning 14-tracks, with contributions from some of Sampha’s closest friends, peers and collaborators including: Yaeji, Léa Sen, Sheila Maurice Grey (Kokoroko), Ibeyi, Morgan Simpson (Black Midi), Yussef Dayes, Laura Groves and Kwake Bass, LAHAI, in contrast to Process, is a communal affair seeing Sampha explore the many ways in which we as humans connect to each other, and to something bigger than ourselves. On the album’s latest single “Only,” premiering today via a new music video directed by Dexter Navy in collaboration with Sampha, which follows the recent “Spirit 2.0,” we meet a newly energized Sampha, as he spits melodically over a fragmented hip-hop hued beat with co-production from El Guincho.

Not unlike its maker, LAHAI defies clear categorization. Spanning jazz, soul, rap, dance, jungle and west African music, LAHAI sees Sampha elevating his production and vocal ambition to great new heights. A notable singer, songwriter and producer, it’s no wonder that artists like Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy, Travis Scott and previously, Drake, Solange, Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne and Alicia Keys have all tapped the artist for his inimitable voice plus songwriting and production contributions to their music. His work expands across multiple disciplines, with previous creative partnerships including the fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, the Shy Light zine with Durimel (who also shot the LAHAI artwork) his Process film with director Kahlil Joseph, and most recently creative director Jonny Lu, with whom Sampha worked to create the LAHAI album artwork and logo.

If Process, Sampha’s 2017 Mercury-Prize-winning debut album, was an artist figuring out his own place in the world, engulfed in the shadows of grief and loss, LAHAI is an exercise in the radical acceptance and joy in the human condition, and the beauty in the journey itself. Welcome to Sampha’s next musical chapter: LAHAI.

Hey!Tonal is the first album by HEY!TONAL, a project helmed by the guitarists, multi-instrumentalists and sound designers Mitch Cheney (Rumah Sakit, Sweep the Leg Johnny) and Alan Mills (Chiisai-oto). Each member constructed the album instrument-by-instrument between 2006 and 2008 over a vast geographical area from NYC, Chicago, Florida, San Diego and Nantes in France. Main collaborators included Kevin Shea (Storm & Stress), Theo Katsaounis (Joan of Arc, Dead Rider), and Dave Davison (Maps & Atlases). Kenseth Thibideau (Rumah Sakit, Sleeping People) and Julien Fernandez (Chevreuil) joined the group for a song as well. In 2009 the album was released by Africantape on CD format; now, Hey!Tonal has been remastered by Carl Saff and pressed tovinyl for the firsttime.

Wewantsounds is delighted to release 'Sharayet el Disco' a selection of
Egyptian '80s disco and boogie tracks curated by Egyptian DJ Disco
Arabesquo from his vast collection of cassettes and officially released on
vinyl for the first time
Remastered for vinyl and including colour insert with liner notes by Moataz Rageb
(Disco Arabesquo). Most tracks have never been released on any other format
and are making their vinyl debut with this set. A journey through the funky sound
of 80s Egypt, Sharayet El Disco (which can be translated by "Disco Cassettes")
features Simone, Ammar El Sherei and more obscure names from Cairo's
cassette culture.
The audio has been remastered for vinyl by David Hachour/Colorsound Studio in
Paris and the LP features artwork by young Egyptian graphic designer Heba Tarek
and a 2-page insert featuring artwork of the original cassettes plus insightful liner
notes by Moataz Rageb.
The set is a unique insight into the diversity of the Egyptian Disco sound, from the
pulsating Disco of "Hezeny" by Hany Shenouda's Al Massrieen band to the boogie
of Simone's "Merci," via Firkit El Asdekaa's tongue-in-cheek "Eklib el Sheriet" ("turn
the cassette to the other side"), produced by legendary Egyptian musician Ammar
El Sherei.

'The Black Rider - 2023 Marks 30 years since Tom Waits released The Black Rider. Originally released in 1993 on Island Records, The Black Rider is Tom Waits’ 12th studio album. The Black Rider is a musical comedy/horror collaboration between artists: Robert Wilson (director/designer) writer/Beat guru, William S. Burroughs (text) and Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan (music). Not a cast album, this Island Records release is Tom’s interpretation and performance of the songs he had originally created for the stage production of The Black Rider.

Introducing Part 2 of Megalon's highly anticipated archival collection, showcasing their studio output between 1995 and 1997. This compilation brings together the best tracks from the EPs released by Megalon on esteemed labels like R&S and London's Plink Plonk Records.

Continuing their sonic voyage with finesse, this selection embodies the duo's forward-thinking approach. The music presented here is a testament to their ability to explore diverse styles and capture various moods, maintaining a striking modernity that remains relevant regardless of time. These tracks possess a timeless quality, sounding as fresh today as they did when they were first conceived. For any dedicated techno enthusiast, these records are a must-have addition to their record collection. With its true school UK techno essence and minimal electronic stylings, this compilation stands tall above much of the music produced on this island during that era.

Drawing from Megalon's extensive DAT tape archive, all the music featured in this compilation has been meticulously restored by the renowned Curvepusher. The artwork and design have been crafted under the keen eye of Rogan Jeans, the original designer for Plink Plonk Records and Megalon, ensuring a visually captivating experience to complement the exceptional sound.

'Blind At The Age Of Four' ist der Einstieg in die anachronistische Welt von Jack Warnes GAUNT, mutig und gewagt, voller musikalischer und technologischer Experimente und visueller Kunst, und folgt auf die Frühwerke ETB I&II und 'Raw Cartoon' (auf Leon Vynehalls Fabric-Sampler). Das Debüt des am Royal College Of Art tätigen Designers und bildenden Künstlers besteht aus sich ständig verändernden Schleifen experimenteller Elektronik, begleitet von surrealen Bildern, die Warne mit analoger und digitaler Technologie, Augmented Reality, 3D-Rendering, Zeichnung und digitalen Maltechniken erschuf. Das gesamte Artwork enthält Augmented-Reality-QR-Code-ausgelöste Bilder.

Their approach to music beckons the voices of years gone by, clearly evoking inspiration from bluegrass icons like Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin and the Stanley Brothers. Described as one of the busiest, hardest working, and most entertaining bands in bluegrass, The Kody Norris Show brings back to the stage, old school suiting swagger with their custom matching suits, harkening visual spectaculars like those who donned the legendary western wears of designers like Nudie and
Manuel. Their sophomore album with Rebel Records, titled 'Rhinestone Revival' has everything that their fans love from The Kody Norris Show...and more! The album boasts 12 hard driving traditional bluegrass tracks, upping the honky-tonkanty, with the addition of percussion to really achieve a proper toe tapping collection.

Built around recordings by the acclaimed pedal steel player Henry Senior, the album's six hypnotic and enveloping tracks are supplemented with piano, strings, synths and field recordings performed by Wallis.

The making of the album took an unplanned route. During the winter 2021 lockdown, Wallis began work on an album of more conventional songs, sending several to Henry Senior (Danny & The Champions Of The World, Honey Harper) to record pedal steel parts remotely. Though subsequently deciding to shelve the album, he realised that Senior's pedal steel outlines of the songs formed the basis of something completely different.

The result is an immersive, meticulously crafted album that recalls the ambient pedal steel work of Chuck Johnson and Daniel Lanois mixed with the ethereal post- classical instrumentation of Stars Of The Lid and the field recording work of Claire Rousay.

In Huge Gesturing Loops' is Wallis' fourth release in as many years. The album's title comes from a poem by Philip Larkin. The artwork was put together by designer Luke Jarvis based on the 1930s swimming pool on Marshall Street in Soho, where Wallis swam regularly while working on the album.

Join Ryudo and his team on their greatest adventure yet! We're delighted to be collaborating again with Game Arts on this new vinyl edition of the Grandia II soundtrack, composed and arranged by Noriyuki Iwadare and entirely remastered for the vinyl format!

A cult title for the Dreamcast released in Japan in 2000 and acclaimed in particular for its innovative combat system, the game recently benefited from a remastered version in 2019 on Nintendo Switch and PC.

The Grandia II Memorial Soundtrack Edition comes in the form of a luxurious vinyl box set, newly illustrated for the occasion by the game's original character designer, Youshi Kanoe.

It contains 3 yellow color discs inserted in individually illustrated sleeves and a newly designed 16-page booklet with illustrations by Youshi Kanoe and new comments from the team, including Kei Shigema (Scenario Writer), Atsuko Nishida (Designer), Noriyuki Iwadare (Composer) and vocal Kaori Kawasumi.

The Grandia II Original Soundtrack CD Edition comes in the form of a luxurious box set, newly illustrated for the occasion by the game's original character designer, Youshi Kanoe.

It includes 2 CDs and a 16-page booklet with illustrations by Youshi Kanoe and new comments from the team, including Kei Shigema (scriptwriter), Atsuko Nishida (designer), Noriyuki Iwadare (composer) and singer Kaori Kawasumi.

BOTANICA is the newly established Japanese label created by DJ/ Producer, Iori Wakasa. It was formed for him to utilize it as a foundation for the realization of his own unique, artistic expression.
And now, he has the pleasure to announce his label’s inaugural title with the release of his own BOTANICA EP.

Born in 1988 in a rural Japanese city surrounded by mountains and the sea with a mild climate, Iori grew up playing RPGs with a father who was a devoted game aficionado. And he was introduced to electronic music through game music from an early age and formed his musical sensibilities through playing the classical piano around the same time.

Influenced by the spirituality and idiosyncrasies of punk rock and ethnic and indigenous music in his youth, also gradually influenced by the Tokyo club scene and the music, it didn't take him long before
he made the choice to start DJing at the age of 17 and soon afterwards, started exploring the path of music production as a form of self-expression.

Iori set up Botanica to convey 2 main concepts of 'presenting music that provides each listener with their own viewpoint' and ‘to construct a fusion between 'nature' and 'man-made objects and human
activity’. Through the experience of traveling around Japan, Europe and Asia and connecting with people of different languages and cultures, he became to appreciate that music transcends all languages and grooves, and the framework in which he would like to shape his perspective and embody it as his way of life is what he envisions as the vital expression for BOTANICA, The two tracks and the artwork included in this first EP are the first steps towards hopefully chronicling the story of the vortex that he resides in now and the new forest that he plans to weave in the future with his label.

'The Pure Land' means in Japanese 'Gokuraku-Jodo (= a space where you can live in bliss)', but in English it is closer to 'utopia' or 'paradise'. However, 'The Pure Land' is a musical work that evokes a
hypnotic and pleasant euphoria through the gradual layering of multiple rhythms and soft particles of spatial sound design. It is also shaped with the aim of liberating the listener and guiding them towards their primal self.

In contrast, 'Lunar Down' expresses the changes that occur in the human state of mind during the extended period from moonrise to moonset especially when the moon sets from its zenith and is completed with a focus on maximum dance floor impact via an inner voice that resonates in the brain that echoes throughout a well-textured bass line and rhythm track.

The artwork for the front cover of this EP was created by SHINOZAKI HILOSHI, an illustrator who has been traveling and painting to express his true way of life that he learnt in the 10+ years of commuting between Tokyo (the end) and the Hawaii Islands (the beginning), and the graphic designer hiro, who stands by Iori`s side as his life partner and as the person who understands him the best. Iori`s first steps are complemented by the label design and art direction by graphic designer hiro, who stands by his side as his life partner and most understanding partner, and the proof is the physical cut, which is presented as the foundation for the future.