Psychedelia & Kraut / Japan

World music and ethno sounds with an obvious Japanese origin meet progressive rock and psyche. The result is a captivating piece of melodic and deeply atmospheric music that paints pictures of life in ancient Japan into your mind when you lay back, close your eyes and listen closely with your thoughts turned off. If Pink Floyd were Japanese their music might have sounded like that. The frequency of the arrangements on „Benzaiten“ reminds of what our English heroes have created in the early to mi…

A long-lost Japanese acid folk gem, Niningashi’s 1974 private press debut Heavy Way shimmers with originality, deft song writing and a dream-like groove.

Under the influence of The Beatles, the Group Sound Movement swept Japan in the mid Sixties. This compilation collects some of the finest cuts made by several of the leading band of the time like The Mops, The Golden Cups, The Spiders ... and more!

Under the influence of The Beatles, the Group Sound Movement swept Japan in the mid Sixties. This compilation collects some of the finest cuts made by several of the leading band of the time like The Mops, The Golden Cups, The Spiders ... and more!

Wewantsounds' major reissue program of Meiko Kaji (Lady Snowblood) continues with the first-ever reissue of her 1973 album "Yadokari" with a bonus 7" single Shura No Hana (featured in Kill Bill). with original artwork, newly remastered audio and new liner notes.

Few artists have left behind a legacy as enigmatic and captivating as Shizuka Miura. Amidst the Tokyo underground, she was a spectral figure, creating ghostly, childlike dolls and writing haunting, other worldly songs. She formed Shizuka in 1992 with Maki Miura, known for his staggering guitar work in legendary groups Fushitsusha and Les Rallizes Dénudés. Their music bloomed with a fragile, yet explosive mystical power; an atmospheric alchemy of psychedelic rock, folk and noise with Shizuka’s et…

White Heaven’s second album, Strange Bedfellow, is one of the great unsung albums of the 90’s Japanese underground. Released two years after their striking debut, Out, the album reveals the group shifting to a more dynamic and finely honed sound. You Ishihara’s songwriting & arrangements take center stage, leading the group to transmute classic west coast psychedelia and garage into a thrillingly direct collection of songs that span from fuzz drenched, driving rockers to smoldering numbers that …

Tip! Masonna is the solo noise project of Yamazaki Mazo, who, along with Merzbow and Emergency Staircase, has earned the respect of the entire world as an iconic figure of Japanoise. In 2002, Masonna, Christine 23 Onna, and Space Machine, the three units Yamazaki Mazo is involved with, released three albums simultaneously as the "Yamazaki Maso 15th Anniversary Freakout Triplex Series" to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their activities. The albums of these three units, Masonna, Christine 23 On…

Think about Can as performed by a shaman commune ! Two long LP-side size compositions, focusing on tribal rhythms (without real drummer), heavy-folk and electronic samples and loops. Takahashi Yoshihiro (Brast Burn) was the man behind this cultish project originally released in 1974. Buried deep in time, this obscure artifact is something of a revelation. No group information was ever given, and no production date or location is indicated, however, it would seem that this record and the "Brast B…

Their sophomore release, after their supreme 1972 psychedelic debut, is a proto-hard rock affair. The Japanese power trio is in a more enthusiastic jammin' mode, with deep heavy blues notation. Ensure this lost classic now and forever!

Deluxe edition in an LP-sized hardcover gatefold sleeve with booklet containing credits and lyrics in Japanese and English. Booklet does not contain the liner notes, interview or chronology that appear in the booklet that comes with the regular edition. Released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the group. The band was formed by Keiji Haino, and consisted of Hiroyuki Takahashi on drums and percussions, Saitoh on bòàèass, Shigeru Suda & Akira Asami on piano and keyboards.  Keij…

Tokyo playwrite, director and artist J A Caesar sprang to prominence in the early ‘70s largely through his work with Shuji Terayama’s Tenjo Sajiki Theatre, specializing in vaguely sinister music. The Kokkyou Junreika release, often considered Caesar’s finest work, was culled from the 5 hours of music written for the original play distilled down to an album’s worth  of ageless chants, Budhist mantras, heavenly invocations and fuzztone guitar vamps supported by Caesar’s droning electric organ and …

*300 copies limited edition. First ever reissue!!* A sought-after artifact from Japan’s private press underground, Appliqué captures the spirit of early ’70s Tokyo youth—hopeful, melodic, and steeped in harmony. Originally self-released in 1973, this four-track EP evokes the charm and complexity of Off Course’s earliest work, with soft psych textures and intimate songwriting throughout. Archived from the original master tapes by Kamurozaka Studio and remastered by five-time Grammy Award-winning …

*2025 repress!!* Made In Japan is the third album by Japanese rock band Flower Travellin' Band, released in 1972. After meeting Lighthouse at the Expo '70 festival in Osaka, Flower Travellin' Band were invited to visit Canada. While there, the group recorded Made in Japan with Lighthouse keyboardist Paul Hoffert helping produce. Due to George Wada becoming ill with tuberculosis, Canadian drummer Paul DeLong plays on some tracks on this album. The lyrics were written by Yoko Nomura, the wife of t…

Tip! Kuunatic’s hotly anticipated 2nd album “Wheels of Ömon,” takes another adventuresome deep dive into their self-made fantasy mythology, proposing whole new worlds of psychedelic drama and ritual. In addition to their core sonic palette of tribal drums, pulsing bass, atmospheric keyboards and grouped female vocals, the acclaimed Japanese psych-rock trio played an array of Japanese traditional instruments on "Wheels of Ömon." The result is a thrilling, kaleidoscopic album that brushes against …

Arriving on the Japanese music scene during the Beatles-inspired cover band boom of the late ’60s, Jacks instantly distinguished themselves from their fluff-peddling, copycat peers with stripped-down, original compositions, nihilistic lyrics and raw performances. Their tenure was short - ’67 to ’69 - but they managed to cut a handful of singles and two albums in that time, the first of which, Vacant World, is now widely considered in Japan to be one of the greatest rock albums the country has ev…

Second album from the japanese psych-prog band that started out as Far Out in 1973. The record is basically a concept:  "The Cave" is arriving onto our planet, and the group is generally celebrating the beauties of nature. Heavily influenced by Floyd (Atom Heart Mother era), the group lays down some very credible ambiances that even Waters & Co. could've pulled off. This album will draw Klaus Schulze's attention and he will collaborate with FEFB on their next one.

Formed in 1984, Ghost burgeoned slowly, blowing open the gate in 1990 with their eponymous debut. Opening with a vast spirit plosion – shards of antique light and clouds of centuries-old, dust-laden airs escaping from a primeval tomb – they settle into the deep feeling. A variety of mostly acoustic instruments aids their projection of traditional sounds from space and time, troubadours of unknown, an enigma of eternal trippiness all about them.

One of truly iconic figures in the Japanese alternative rock scene ever! Originally released in 1973 this was Magical Power Maco’s highly  visionary debut album. An eccentric mix of psyche, folk, kraut elements wisely filtered with Oriental sensibility.

** Black Vinyl edition. Comes in a craft board jacket, including a 12-page liner notes book with archival photos **   Operating out of a small upstairs space just around the corner from the train station in the Kichijoji neighborhood of Tokyo, OZ was a scruffy, DIY affair that lasted not much more than a year. Between June 1972 to September 1973, the café and performance space became the nerve center for the city’s burgeoning underground and counterculture set.  Hadaka No Rallizes, aka Les Ralli…

The leaders of "Acid Mothers Temple", Makoto Kawabata and the Spacey Synthesizer Maestro Hiroshi Higashi created another dimension as a unit "Uchu" (Space), without any use of synthesizer, sampler or programming but only the Guitars. Guitar, Voice – Hiroshi Higashi, Makoto Kawabata Voice – Ayano.Uchū 宇宙 is the first album of Uchū that is the first side unit of Acid Mothers Temple's Soul Collective. The band cut-up their lyrics. They got this idea from Kawabata's experience to play "improvised ra…

Japan's long running masters of psych/kosmische jamming return to Important Records for a vinyl outing featuring beloved original member Cotton Casino.

Temporal Drift presents the first-ever officially sanctioned reissue of celebrated Japanese cult band Les Rallizes Dénudés’ three albums, originally compiled and released in limited quantities on CD in 1991. Led by the enigmatic Takashi Mizutani, Les Rallizes Dénudés has gained an almost mythical status the world over with their delicate balancing act between transcendent psychedelia and pure sonic assault, maintaining its status as an underground phenomenon throughout their three decade existen…

Speed, Glue & Shinki's 1971 debut album, Eve. Ex-Food Brain guitarist Shinki Chen, bass player Masayoshi Kabe (also known as M Glue) and Filipino Vietnam war veteran Joey "Pepe" Smith, who doubled as both the trio's drummer and vocalist, released two legendary albums in the early '70s. Eve, the earlier of the band's two efforts, was probably the band's only "real" recording, as the self-titled second release in 1972 was put together by Smith from studio outtakes of Chen's guitar playing and trac…

Limited double red 180-gram vinyl reissue. Comes in a hand-numbered sleeve.  Phoenix Records releases the oft-bootlegged Heavier Than A Death In The Family by legendary Japanese rock/psychedelic noise band Les Rallizes Dénudés. This "album" is in fact, a blistering assemblage of live performances (all recorded in 1977, except for "People Can Choose," which was recorded in 1973) which sits at an esteemed #3 position on Julian Cope's Japrocksampler top 50 list. Reverb so heavy, it will split your …

"Where is space? Is it in our brain? Or is it outside the planet Earth? Dhidalah poetically answers the question with their newest album Sensoria. (Soma, Black Shrine) Two songs are made from their weekly jam session in Tokyo. The band leader, Gotoh usually records the session and shares it with (Masahito aka Bin and Ikuma) the other two members. After listening to the jam recording, they each get inspired by the flow of sounds and find a connection to the outside world. In the following week an…

**Tip-on sleeve with OBI strip.** The respected Japanese jazz drummer Akira Ishikawa was not messing around when he recorded the 'Uganda (Dawn Of Rock)' album with his band the Count Buffaloes. For this offering, originally released in 1972 on Toshiba Records, Akira Ishikawa takes us on a deep tripped-out journey. 'Uganda (Dawn Of Rock)' is a fusion of progressive and psych rock with African percussion workouts, dergy-wah wah blues-funk, and jazzy sensibilities; with different genres morphing an…

* Edition of 70 copies * Japanese heavy psych blow-out that rubs the third eye and instantly flings you in an overdose of speed fuzz soaring in/out of focus between hallucinatory visions of spiked Mainliner, High Rise, Les Rallizes Denudes et al. Lysergic hard rock riffs, dirty punk vocals and ferocious guitar shredding. Break through the aether with this one.

Ceremony ~ Buddha Meet Rock was originally released in 1971 by Japanese label Teichiku. This trippy album is a true meeting of East and West, combining Buddist chanting with psychedelic/progressive rock. Apparently even this re-issue is fast becoming scarce, get a copy while you can, you will certainly never hear anything like it.

Originally released in 1972, the legendary Soft Rock "Happy End" album is now back on an analog LP!! Written by Hiro Yanagida, Produced by Takashi Matsumoto, Sons Of Sun's first album will be making its return from the label Fuji!! Keyboard Hiro Yanagida Drums Kiyoshi Tanaka E.Guitar Kazuyuki Nagaoka E.Bass Hideaki Takebe Vocal MAO

Doji Morita, who debuted in 1975 with the single 'Sayonara Boku no Tomodachi / Mabushii Natsu,' she was a unique and enigmatic presence in Japanese folk scene with her characteristic sunglasses and curly hair. Starting with 'good bye' in the same year, she went on to release a series of masterpiece albums, including 'Mother Sky: Can You Fly Alone in the Sad Blue Sky?' (1976) and 'a Boy' (1977). This album is a live recording from the spring of 1978, during the peak of Mori's career, when she app…

Rare 1975 live and studio recordings by the Japanese psychedelic noise legends Les Rallizes Dénudés.

1972 Debut album by cultish Japanese combo!

Here's for the real thing! A late 60s Japanese compilation investigating the so-called "group sound" movement. Includes early recordings by a series of musicians later to perform with legendary bands such as the Flower Travellin' Band, Speed Glue & Shinki, Les Rallizes Denudes and Foodbrain. Must have !

*2023 stock* Like a long journey this record unfolds itself through many layers. Fans of Kikagaku Moyo will be comforted by the soft vocals harmonies and warm Sitar but what sets this release apart is the refinement of the band’s songwriting and their delicate execution. Side A begins with a pair of travelling songs where the interplay between the vocals, guitar, and sitar lift and suspend you on an unexpected journey. The patient listener is rewarded by tracks like “Trad” and “Silver Owl” that …

This record is a nice summary of some of the band's earlier work -- when infamous bassist Moriaki Wakabayashi was still playing before he went and hijacked a plane (he was a member of the "Yodogō Group" of the radical New Left Japan Communist League's "Red Army Faction" that carried out the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 in 1970, ultimately forcing the plane to fly to North Korea, where Wakabayashi currently resides). A seemingly endless sonic flame-throwers of phased white noise streak …

** 2CDs housed in a gatefold wallet**  In 1991, Les Rallizes Denudes released three full-length albums on CD, the band’s first-ever recordings to be made available since their formation in Kyoto more than two decades prior. In 1993, the band appeared in front of an audience for the first time since 1988.  Their February 17 appearance at Club Cittaʼ, which came four days after their “comeback” gig at Baus Theater, turned out to be one of the most notable out of all the Rallizes performances thus …

Japanese country rock act Gypsy Blood must be heard to be believed. Released on Vertigo in 1971, their sole LP showed the group simply bursting with talent, Kiyoshi Hayami’s mandolin exceptional and the masterful soft-rock production courtesy of Miki Curtis; drummer Eiichi Tsukasa had earlier been in the Helpful Soul, organist Katsuo Ohno had been in the Spiders, and guitarist/vocalist Hiroaki Nakamura later played in Buzz with future YMO member Yukihiro Takahashi, while none other than Alan Mer…

Freaked out lo-fi psychedelic noise recordings from 1972 and 1980 by the mythical Japanese psych rockers Les Rallizes Dénudés, including the 23 minute "Guitar Jam" filling the complete A-side, a sort of Stooges riff with Ramones like drumming ending up in a total feedback noise orgy. Recorded on Sept. 9, 1980. Side B starts with the droning 18 minute track "A Tale Of Love," from the same 1980 Mars Studio sessions recorded 3 days before "Guitar Jam" and ends with a 6 minute version of the classic…

Renoir Of The Toys is a deep dive into the world of Youri Kun, the nom de plume of Japanese guitarist, singer and songwriter Hiroshi Nar. It follows a similar compilation, Unheld Ball, released in 2022 on Japanese label Inundow; like that album, Renoir Of The Toys draws from the rich catalogue of outsider psych-garage and rock recorded by Youri Kun over the past two decades. Deeply wired into the history of Japanese underground music, Nar was a founding member of legendary ‘70s outfit Datetenryu…