Just in case you don't go digging out in Nippon on the regular, Brawther and Alixkun got your back. The French duo have put together a glorious triple vinyl compilation of Japanese deep house gems, saving you the expensive flight and the endless hours hunched over at the Disk Union crates. Simply titled ハウス (katakana for "house") Once Upon A Time In Japan, this is an expertly curated compilation of sounds from Japan's deep house underground circa the late 80's to mid 90's. Plenty of material to dig into here from the likes of T.P.O., Jazzadelic, Hiroshi Matsui, The Ecstasy Boys, Violets, Dan K, and a gang of other artists you probably never heard of. This stuff will sound fresh even to the most ardent digger as pretty much all the tracks never made it over to Stateside (give or take one or two that I recognized from recent edit releases - but these are the O.G. versions). Pressed up with remastered sound on spacious triple vinyl for the best sound quality (no overcrowded sides). Gatefold sleeve with gorgeous artwork to boot. Recommended. 

• music label: Les Disques Mystiques 2015

reviewed by Otakun 12/2015