Peace to Gaia. Unless you're super deep into obscure 80's funk or Japanese electro, chances are the name Minoru "Hoodoo" Fushimi won't ring any bells. The elusive/reclusive producer self-released four albums between 1985 and 1992, all of which are incredibly hard to find (even in Japan), leaving most of us resorting to the few bad youtube track rips to get a glimpse of the rare funk sound. Thankfully Australia's Left Ear Records has come through with this incredible retrospective of the man's work. In Praise Of The Mitochondria compiles the best 8 tracks from the four previously released albums, and even includes 2 unreleased jams. Primitive Dam-Funk vibes meet Mantronix and Art Of Noise with a generous slathering of squiggle synths and vocoder all over. Peep "Shinzo San," "Ai Wa Nohshintoh," "It Isn't Because Of Hemoglobin," "Dompan," and "Thanatopsis" for a taste. Recommended for fans of PPU, Music From Memory, and below the surface funk.

• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Left Ear Records 2017

reviewed by Otakun 10/2017