Catalogue: Special Projects: "Soundtrip Japan" - Various Artists - Soundtrip Series

Modern western music has long been established in Japan and Japanese musicians freely mix rock, funk and ska with traditional music. One traditional element is the use of enormous bass drums whose deep, voluminous sounds create a mystic atmosphere reminicent of a slow pulse. These pulsing grooves form the perfect grounding for soundscapes from the empire of the rising sun. The drums are joined by archaic sounding strings, wind instruments and high female voices. The result is hypnotic.

The soundtrip series is a cooperative project between Piranha Musik and Reise Know-How Publishers. An experienced, established leader in the field of travel guide publication, Reise Know-How approached us to assist them in putting together compilations to mirror the current musical landscape in various regions. The series, which will continue for years to come, begins with 10 beautifully packaged CDs introducing listeners to the aural atmospheres of Argentina, Australia, the Balkans, China, Finland, Japan, Cuba, North Africa, northeast Brazil and Switzerland. Available at bookshops in German-speaking countries, soundtrip CDs can be found in special display cases placed near the Reise Know-How travel guide series.