The Tokyo-based label Flau, curated by the musician Yasuhiko Fukuzono (aus), got it’s start back in December of 2006. Since that time they have earned a reputation for releasing an international array of artists whose work often shares warm, delicate, and intimate qualities while operating in a variety of styles including neo-classical, folk, ambient, and down-tempo. This month the label is releasing a various artists LP compilation called Circles–an 11-track collection that asks it’s participants for their musical take on the waltz. The LP’s title references the fact that in Japan the waltz is known as a “dance to draw a circle.”
The compilation was initially conceived as a way to celebrate Flau’s 10th anniversary, but the label informs us that after a burglary last year, Circles‘ release had to be delayed a year. Collecting together musicians from around the world, the LP features work from Flau mainstays like Ensemble 0, Fábio Caramuru, Henning Schmiedt, Rayons, Kanazu Tomoyuki, and Maymay, as well as work by artists like Frédéric D. Oberland, Danny Norbury, Otto A. Totland, Sophie Hutchings, and Takeo Toyama. Additionally, the label reports that all the musicians on the compilation traveled to Japan for a tour, though the French musician Frédéric D. Oberland was unable to attend because of his previously scheduled live obligations with his band Oiseaux-Tempęte.
Below, you can listen to Oberland’s track “Aurore.” Initially, the song soundtracked French director Guillaume Mazloum‘s 2012 film of the same name. Composed, performed, and produced by the musician, with mixing handled by Erwan Le Mao at Jitterburg studio, Frédéric can be heard playing electric guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes, and bowed glockenspiel. Employing gentle layers of instrumentation led by Oberland’s guitar, the musician’s gossamer melody turns gentle circles like softly falling snow on an icy blue winter night.
After the Soundcloud embed below, you can find the artwork for Circles, as well as the LP’s full tracklist and pre-order info.
Title: Circles
Artist: V.A.
Relase Date: 2018-06-27
CAT#: FLAU68
Format: CD/DIGITAL
Product URL: http://flau.jp/releases/circles/
Pre-Order: https://flau.bandcamp.com/album/circles
Tracklist:
01 Danny Norbury – Waltz for Nowhere
02 Kanazu Tomoyuki – Wordswaltz
03 Ensemble 0 – Sońando 8
04 Fábio Caramuru – 5a Valsa Brasileira
05 Otto A. Totland – Grannys Waltz
06 Rayons – Merry-Go-Round
07 Sophie Hutchings – My Love
08 Frédéric D. Oberland – Aurore
09 HAU (Henning Schmiedt + aus) – Anywhere
10 Takeo Toyama – Minority
11 MayMay – Long Ago Waltz
