Search - Various Artists :: Nik Weston Presents Sakura Aural Bliss

Sakura Aural Bliss Delivers Just That

Critical Reviewer | El Paso, TX | 07/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kriztal delivers a blend of exotic electronica from Japan's creative underground--jazz, ambient, deep house, Brazilian, Afro and more. Selected and mixed by Nik Weston, the listener is treated to some dazzling beats that cover a wide spectrum of sounds, influences, and moods. "Summer Haze" by SPEEDOMETER [cut 3] just about took my socks off. The beat is augmented with exotic tones, sounds, and effects. Somehow all of it flows together into a superb song. Not to be outdone, TAKAYUKI SHIRAISHI dazzles with his "Mr. Blank." It is ultra-chic, exotic, and highly listenable though some of the sounds may wear on some listeners. I just dug it. "Por Do Sol" by UFO or United Future Organization took us into a Latin/Brazil mood with this exotic effort. The vocal and acoustic guitar work stand out here. Then comes the interesting Aquasphere" by COSMIC VILLAGE. CALM offers a modern jazz work [with a strange title] that has so many dimensions to it that I choose it as one of my favorite tracks. Check out the scatty and rangy vocal and the great bass action! Actually it's ALL good.



"Summerjam" is more funky/jazzy electronica. It is like eating a potato chip--can't have (eat) just one listen. The 'reverse' or 'clipping/cut-off' effect was extremely annoying though--I thought my CD player was losing it. SUNAGA T EXPERIENCE presents a hip tune with hot DJ work and plenty of scratching but that doesn't overpower the music. The groove is real and the song is fun. I was impressed with the way everything came together. It is a really catchy tune with a groove that is irresistible. The song then melts into cut 10 "Above the Cloud" by CALM. Here the focus is on a strong beat for underpinning and electronica riding above it. I'd love to see a live band play this. The 'percussion' aspect is superb.



A lush, pretty piano highlights a more nuanced work on track #12 by CHARI CHARI. We next get more of CALM with "Sketch on Banana Paper" a song that gives us a feel of island life. The bright rhythmic beats are hypnotic and the forward-looking sense of this number make it possibly the best thing on the CD. Musically and as far as aural pleasure this cut is simply awesome! It's so lively I think this cut could make a skeleton dance.



YUKIHIRO FUKUTOMI gives us "Drifting", another track in the sense of the previous one but with more texture and less groove. A solid winner. "El Sol" [the Sun] by SHIBA exudes the musical equivalent of light beams. A work that brings together many layers and instruments to create this prism/cut music of light. It may be jazz fusion with electronica and other genres but it works. WATUSI closes out the project with "Aphrodisiac." The horn sounds here are bright and the other sounds and instruments make for an interesting effect.



This album is a solid vehicle for introducing music lovers to a whole new kind of highly creative and listenable music. It gets my highest recommendation."

Beautiful music

Boris Yakubchik | Manalapan, NJ United States | 12/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"it's hard for me to classify this, I don't know what genre this is, perhaps acid-jazz? I don't know, but I love the way the whole CD sounds, very relaxing, very happy-sounding, soothing. Rather jazzy, 100-120bpm, mellow electronika.recommend: Vintage Chill Vol 3: Autumn"