Spanning several genres in as many decades, Kyoto-based DJ and producer Nobukazu Takemura has carved out a niche as one of Japan's most respected soundsmiths. Starting out as a hip-hop DJ in the mid 80s, Takemura migrated to the mixing desk later in the decade, soon releasing tracks on several labels under the names Spiritual Vibes and DJ Takemura. Loosely categorized as acid jazz, Takemura's releases were unique in that much of the music was performed using live instruments. Around this time,... read more

Spanning several genres in as many decades, Kyoto-based DJ and producer Nobukazu Takemura has carved out a niche as one of Japan's most respected soundsmiths. Starting out as a hip-hop DJ in the mid 80s, Takemura migrated to the mixing desk later in the decade, soon releasing tracks on several labels under the names Spiritual Vibes and DJ Takemura. Loosely categorized as acid jazz, Takemura's releases were unique in that much of the music was performed using live instruments. Around this time, he formed Audio Sports with Eye Yamataka ( Boredoms) and Aki Onda, veering onto a more experimental path occupying a parallel universe to his more clubby DJ releases. The first Audio Sports album, Era of Glittering Gas, was released in 1992, with Takemura leaving the group shortly after to refocus on his solo work. Takemura signed with Warner and released the landmark Child's View as a solo artist. Widely viewed as one of the quintessential acid jazz sets, Child's View caught the attention of fans overseas as well as in Japan, spawning a remix album featuring Aphex Twin and other pioneering electronica artists. The next few years saw Takemura steadily moving toward a less structured, more minimalist and repetitive style, with releases such as 1997's Child & Magic recalling such artists as minimalist composer Steve Reich and German glitchmeisters Oval. Collaborations with post rock kings Tortoise, Roni Size, and Reich further broadened his audience, and he continues to push the boundaries of music into the 21st century. collapse