Susumu Yokota has been releasing music since 1992. Originally known for his more techno inspired recordings for such labels as Harthouse and Sublime, he released the first of his more experimental albums "Cat Mouse And Me" in 1996 and quickly became established as 'one of the kings of modern mood music'.
His use of intricate grooves, that quoted from acid jazz and hip hop, mixed with unusual sonic textures and motifs, signposted his future direction and yet he has always continued to explore a variety of musical styles, going far beyond the ambient tag often associated with him. Fans include Brian Eno, Philip Glass and Thom Yorke.
Now with "Mother," Yokota has made perhaps his most engaging album yet. Enlisting a variety of vocalists, Yokota has created, in his own words, an album of "magnificence and gentle warmth, the album has wistful yet universal feelings and power and it expresses my nostalgia, almost like a lullabye for my heart. This is why I actively included vocal tracks. I asked artists who I respect to collaborate with me to widen my own expression':
Caroline Ross , who I had collaborated with before on the Susumu
Yokota & Rothko album, practices Tai Chi and is familiar with Taoism, so it worked well for both lyrics and vocal for this album. She creates a special world.
Casper Clausen from Efterklang and Anna Bronsted from Our Broken Garden worked together with me, the outcome was lovely and brilliant. Their combination created wavy vibes, which resonated with one another. Nancy Elizabeth fascinated me with her album '"Battle and Victory." My first plan was to ask her to sing just one track, but I ended up asking her to sing 6 tracks. Her view and image of the world brought this album to life. Nancy's voice is nostalgic, but at the same time, I feel it has some kind of power like no other, to appeal to today's world.
Kaori is a Japanese diva. Throughout this album, her characteristic voice frequency helped to create the image and feeling of this album.
The Chap a high profile artist on Lo Recordings and added their idyllic voices and touch to my album."
Susumu Yokota press quotes
"this is the sort of music you put on while you're doing the washing up only to find it has taken control of your very soul" MOJO
"a master of subtlety" Uncut
"elegant and experimental...gorgeous" BBCi Collective
"Beautiful female vocals combined with classical elements and sweet electronics...a masterpiece." Phosphor
"sublime" The Times
"evocative and beguiling" Alternative Press
"spine-tinglingly beautiful" Wax
"wonderfully imaginative" Sleazenation
"an oasis of slow, quiet minimalism" Q, 3/5
"ambient music at its finest" The Mix
"a giant of talent... an audio spell" Wax, 8/10
"simple, but very effective" Independent on Sunday
"conceptually beautiful and sonically engaging" DJ, 8/10
"Pretty much flawless" The Sunday Times
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