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After Dark: Skam
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"In order
to dance…stupidly!!"
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Key UK experimental electronica label Skam will be presenting a showcase
of its latest downtempo and abstract flavors at Liquid Room. Meanwhile,
American jazz vibraphonist-cum-house legend Roy Davis Jr. will debut at
Air for an evening of live instrumentals and warm, uplifting beats.
Based in Manchester, Skam was originally formed as a vehicle for ambient
techno pioneers Autechre's more dance-friendly material. Maintaining a
low profile, Sean Booth and Rob Brown of Autechre stubbornly refuse to
cave in to the demands of the media for human faces, offering only abstract
images and sounds on their Skam website (www.skam.co.uk).
In addition to Autechre material in their Gescom incarnation, the label
has also released the work of a slew of cutting-edge electronica knob-twisters,
including Boards of Canada, Funkstorung and Push Button Objects. While
the label is mum on who will be making the trip to Tokyo, if previous
Skam shows are any indication, the event could offer sounds ranging from
abstract to experimental hip hop to electro to jungle to areas even further
afield…
Turning to the opposite end of the dance music spectrum, house producer
and DJ Roy Davis Jr. will be touching down at Air in Daikanyama to climax
a weeklong Japan tour.
A DJ in the Chicago school of house, Davis has been riding high since
his 2000 release, "Unreleased Basement Traxx Vol. 2," was selected
"house hit" of the month by respected British dance 'zine Jockey
Slut.
The success led to the release of last year's full-length, Traxx from
the Nile, which showcased what Davis called his "soul electronica"
style. It also opened many doors for Davis in the recording studio, with
recent remixing work for the likes of Eric Benet, Faith Evans and D'Angelo.
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Roy Davis Jr.
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Supporting Davis will be a Tokyo-based band that has recently been appearing
all over town at venues like Womb and Module. Formed only in the fall
of 2001, the Modernday Soothsayers have quickly established themselves
among fans of both live and dance music with their catchy blend of jazz
funk and poetry.
The band is comprised of Tokyo-based Canadian poet Marcellus Nealy, with
Kuni (tr/kb), Armin (dr) and Tekeshi (bs) providing a propulsive accompaniment.
They recently collaborated with producer Davis for a track on his Men
From The Nile II album, and cite artists such as Miles Davis and Gil Scott
Heron among their influences.
Skam@Liquid Room, 5/25, 10pm, ¥4,000 (adv),
¥4,500 (door). Tel: 3200-6831. www.liquidroom.net
Roy Ayers@Air, 5/25, 10pm, ¥3,500. Info: Global Hearts 6415-6231.
Skam credit: Hostess Entertainment
Roy Davis Jr. credit: Groove Kitchen
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