by Don Crispy

Soundclash

Colin Stetson

DJ Recloose credits: Arc Tokyo

Two events being staged by Tokyo's diverse foreign community of dance music activists are on the table next weekend. At Air, ArcTokyo kicks off its Sonic Curtain Series with the party Soundclash featuring Detroit DJ Recloose. Meanwhile at Ism, Tokyo-based tech house unit SG3 will offer a live set as part of the second Flak records party.

With a mind to “bridge electronic and traditional forms of music,” ArcTokyo is jumping in at the deep end, choosing the spacious Air venue in Daikanyama for its first big event. “Having grown up in Detroit, I had the chance of hearing a lot of electronic music being performed with live musicians,” explains ArcTokyo's Laura Brown. “We want to bring this hybrid-type of performance to Tokyo, to help our audiences understand that electronic musical forms have roots in solid traditions.” Soundclash will be a revival of sorts, adds Brown, bringing together the experimental live productions of previous collaborators DJ Recloose (Planet E) with saxophonist Colin Stetson.

Since his stint as a turntablist with Carl Craig's Innerzone Orchestra, Recloose has become one of Detroit's most sought after producers and DJs, with his recent Cardiology album climbing the dance charts in the US and Europe. Colin Stetson, meanwhile, was heavily featured on Tom Waits' two new albums, Alice and Blood Money, touring with Waits throughout the US.

Sg3 credit: Flak Records

The event will be a reunion for the two, who reportedly during their time together in Detroit heated up dance floors with their improvisatory performances. Stetson will also be performing solo the following evening at Low in Shibuya to launch his O album release tour. The pair will be joined at Air by resident French house ambassador in Tokyo, DJ Alex from Tokyo...

Turning to the cozy Ism, Aussie expat Jamie Knight's Flak records will be hosting a night of deep, progressive and tech house featuring a live set by SG3, a production unit comprised of Knight and fellow Tokyo resident Dave Gee. Following their second world-released 12", “Head Space,” SG3 have been garnering the support of some dance music heavyweights, including Laurent Garnier and Luke Slater.
In addition to SG3, Flak records resident DJs Haru Kodah, Jamie Knight and guest Randy Poslek will be “keeping it hard and deep until the early hours.” Knight adds that the party will be filmed for an upcoming music video, and that things are moving along “quite well” for Flak.

Soundclash@Air, 11/22, 10pm, ¥4,000. Tel: 5784-3386. www.air-tokyo.com
Flak@Ism, 11/23, 11pm, ¥2,500. Tel: 3780-6302.