The Chill Out Tent

Leon Todd Johnson – wa kei sei jaku

This charming record from Leon Todd Johnson samples a 1977 interview about the Japanese tea ceremony. Wa means harmony or unity; kei means respect or reverence; sei translates as purity or cleanliness; and jaku can mean tranquility or silence. Which gives you an idea of the musical contents – a blend of Japanese environmental music, neo-classical piano, ambient and jazz. It’s a bit more structured than ambient jazz heroes Fuubutsushi but retains that pastoral vibe. In a world of mammoth musical journeys, it’s also pleasingly brief – and gorgeous. A lovely little package.

Horizontals – Wild Light

We should have featured this glorious record last month really. Wild Light is Leo Zero’s sunset album. From Ibiza to Bali to Tulum. From flamenco guitars to arpeggiated synths and some fairly banging house, this is a brilliantly-produced set. It could be the Balearic album of the year.

James K – Friend

Cocteau Twins-inspired indietronica has almost become its own genre in recent years and this is a prime example of it. Add a drop of trip hop and a soupçon of Aaliyah-style r’n’b… you probably know the drill by now. However, James K’s debut is just sublime pop music. It’s what you’d like One Dove to sound like if they made an album today. Yep, it really is that good.

Visible Light – Songs for Eventide

Released for the autumn equinox, this remarkable album from Visible Light tracks the changing of the seasons. As such, this is slow music that weaves layers of cello, flute, synth, quartz bowls and nature sounds into a contemplative whole. Play while staring into the coals of your first fire of autumn.

Paul St. Hilaire – w/ the Artists

This is neat. Dub techno don Paul St Hilaire (AKA Tikiman) flips the script on Rhythm and Sound’s all-time great With the Artists – on which he sang – to record With the Producers. Said producers include Mala bringing an almighty bassweight to proceedings, Seekers International’s Gavsborg, rising star Azu Tiwaline and a whole host more. My one complaint is that it might have featured more songs. Y’know, songs with singing as opposed to tracks – Tikiman being one of dub’s all-time great singers. But hey, it’s all about the producers and as such is a pretty great snapshot of the state of dub techno.