New Arrivals / Last 4 weeks
Jet Black
A trio of leaders in their own right performing pianist Satoko Fujii's demanding compositions, bassist Takashi Sugawa and drummer Ittetsu Takemura rise to the challenge in a set of six exciting works that push and pull this remarkable piano trio in unexpected directions, responding to the twists and turns of Fujii's intense and intricate directions; superlative!
Altitude 1100 Meters
Celebrating her 65th birthday with her first compositions for strings, pianist-composer Satoko Fujii writes for the specific musicians of GEN, a sextet of violin, viola, bass, piano, electronics, and drums, in a suite inspired by Nagano's mountain views, leveraging microtonal string techniques for an expressive and texturally rich sonic landscape.
NatJim
Right out of the gate one feels the energy and excitement between Japanese trumpeter Natsuki Tamura and NY drummer Jim Black, each pushing the other through strong instrumental character and outrageous technique over nine Tamura compositions recorded in the studio in Switzerland, their first recording in 25 years since their 1999 Buzz Records album White and Blue.
Aloft
Propelled by the confidence and intimacy that a familial relationship brings to two improvisers, imbued by each player's masterful technical skills and creative drive, the husband and wife duo of pianist Satoko Fujii and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura expand their catalog with this set of magnificent dialogs, sometimes quirky, always powerful and implicitly lyrical.
WYTH
*Limited edition of 91 copies, a landmark collection of Avant-Garde harp innovation, includes download code.* Celebrated Irish harpist and improviser Rhodri Davies redefines the boundaries of his instrument across eight seminal albums in "WYTH", a meticulously curated box set showcasing his radical explorations in sound. This limited edition box-set compiles Davies’ groundbreaking work on his Amgen label, offering a panoramic view of his fearless experimentation with the harp—from abrasive textu…
It's Cold in Baltimore
Geniuses at work. Composers and multi-instrumentalists Valentina Magaletti Susumu Zongamin Mukai shielding the rain with giant sonic umbrella made of radio waves. Impromptu recordings, proto postpunk from the mist of East London basements for a trip to Maryland that is yet to happen. "It's Cold in Baltimore" is an invitation from V/Z to dream of flying without taking off, elevating the spirit until the clouds start screaming of joy. The future never sounded better.
Shiroyama
SUDA Seishu (1947–) is a master of the Satsuma-biwa and Heike-biwa, traditional Japanese instruments. He was born in Tokyo and studied Satsuma-biwa with Tsuji Seigo and Heike-biwa with Kindaichi Haruhiko. In 1970, he won the Biwa Music Competition and has been a leading performer in the biwa world for over 50 years.
The biwa is a Japanese string instrument with a long history. It came to Japan during the Nara period (710–784 AD) and is thought to have originated in Iran. It is related to instrum…
Monooto
Monooto represents a genuine encounter with objects. The whispers of countless items draw us into an unfamiliar realm, directing our ears toward the shadows where they reside. This is the emerging music genre known as “monooto”. Interestingly, the Japanese term “mono” (もの), meaning “thing” or “object,” carries a subtle eeriness. According to the Nihon Kokugo Daijiten, “mono” can also denote deities, spirits, or objects of fear and reverence, including ghosts and vengeful spirits. Terms like "mon…
Unaesthetic Harmony
Yengo is an artist recognized for creating experimental sound pieces, including live performances that arrange sound in an installation-like fashion and compositions that heavily feature the repetition of a single motif. Yengo's debut release on ato.archives, titled Unaesthetic Harmony, is accompanied by the artist's own commentary included with the tape for those seeking a deeper understanding. This work, influenced by Vaporwave, internet culture, and similar methodologies and aesthetics, explo…
Revolving Lantern
a0n0 is an electronic musician and a member of the fluid collective "時の崖_tokinogake". His music blends sharp, provocative noise that pushes the limits of audio equipment and hearing, with sequences of sound that are both mellow and lyrical, creating a fresh and stimulating auditory experience. This latest piece is rooted in an improvised performance on a modular synthesizer. It stands out as a unique work, featuring a simple yet multi-layered soundscape where different moments of improvisation i…
しるしまみれ / Shirushi - Mamire
Masahiro Sugaya began his career in the 1980s, working alongside the environmental music scene of that era while also making a significant impact in stage music through his involvement with Pappa TARAHUMARA.
Over the past 20 years, Sugaya has shifted from traditional composition using instrumental music to creating works for 8-channel multi-speaker systems, incorporating environmental sounds and field recordings. His latest album continues this evolution, featuring collages of environmental soun…
Cueille Le Jour
2025 stock 1977 and second album by this outstanding French by Carpe Diem, progressive rock band. This is the Japanese mini LP sleeve SHM-CD edition that is remastered and comes with 2 bonus tracks.
Fantasy Of Horses
2025 stock Second album by Rainbow Theatre, a progressive rock band from Melbourne, Australia, released in 1976. The album features a heavy symphonic sound with not only brass instruments but also oboe, clarinet, violin and cello.
Speed Limit
2025 stock First album (released in 1974) by a visionary band led by drummer Georges Zinda, who later became successful in the US fusion world. It is swirling jazz-rock, with saxophonist Yoshiko Sefer and keyboardist Jean-Louis Buqui playing a major role.
Onze Danses Pour Combattre La Migraine
Debut album by Belgian chamber rock band Aksak Mabul, led by Marc Orlandel, released in 1977. A mysterious fusion of acoustic instruments and electronics, akin to Erik Satie, ZNR and others. A masterpiece that will now go down in history as a chamber classic. Paper jacket, SHM-CD, latest remastering, 3 bonus tracks!
The Making of Five Leaves Left
Last year, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of Nick Drake’s untimely passing—yet his music remains as vital as ever. His influence stretches far and wide, inspiring artists across generations, from Liz Phair and Radiohead’s Philip Selway to Let’s Eat Grandma and Fontaines D.C., all of whom paid tribute on 2023’s The Endless Coloured Ways: The Songs of Nick Drake. But while covers keep his spirit alive, nothing compares to hearing the man himself. And now, for the first time, we’re getting a …
Un peu de l'âme des bandits
Second album by Belgian chamber rock band Aksak Mabul, led by Marc Orlandel, released in 1980. This album is considered a masterpiece, as the band further refined the style established on their previous album “11 Dance Therapies for Migraines”. An album that should be passed down as a historical masterpiece in the chamber rock world. Paper jacket, SHM-CD, recently remastered, with five bonus tracks!
The Anxiety Of Symmetry
Bill Orcutt’s "The Anxiety of Symmetry" is the final chapter in his “counting” trilogy, blending six samples of female voices singing scale degrees into hypnotic, melodic computer music. The result is a mesmerizing, trance-like journey between noise and harmony
A Mechanical Joey
Bill Orcutt’s "A Mechanical Joey" is a radical, hypnotic experiment in repetition and punk minimalism. Across two long tracks, Joey Ramone’s iconic “1,2,3,4” chant loops endlessly, creating a trance-like, provocative listening experience that challenges and fascinates
Killing Time
Massacre was a guitar trio formed by Fred Frith, who moved to New York after the break-up of Henry Cow, with Bill Laswell (b) and Fred Marr (dr). The album was greeted with surprise and acclaim at the time as the work that steered Frith towards an aggressive, sharp-edged sound based on improvisation. The trio disbanded after one album and reformed in 1998, replacing Charles Hayward on drums, and this time the album is reissued at the correct pitch, as intended by the artist, after being released…