Kuniyuki Takahashi - Walking In The Naked City - Mule Musiq Japan

STORE TIP ****

The second time around for Kuniyuki Takahashi's 2009 album "Walking In The Naked City", a fine fusion of future jazz and luscious deep house that was previously only available on CD. It's great that the set has finally dropped on wax because the album remains one of the experienced Japanese producer's most impressive works. Laden with atmospheric field recordings, drowsy chords, smooth grooves, and layered African and South American style percussion, the set contains a swathe of Kuniyuki classics including "Night Forest", the jazz-funk influenced, flute-heavy brilliance of "Come With Us", the organ-laden vocal bliss of "Storm (Instrumental)", the Kyoto Jazz Massive-Esque "First Experience" and the piano ambient wonder that is "Life Story". In a word: essential.