Push Button Objects Courtesy of soundofspeed

Sonic explorers soundofspeed turn to chapter 14 of their boundary-breaking parties with an invitation to the artists of Skam, the label formed as a vehicle for English ambient techno pioneers Autechre. The party at Aoyama' club Cay on July 1 will also double as a kick-off party for soundofspeed's own newly-formed label.

Launched in the late '90s by Englishman Andy Maddocks as a platform for collaborators Sean Booth and Rob Brown of Autechre's more uptempo, dance-friendly material, Skam is something of an enigma. Look at their innovative website (www.skam.co.uk) and there is nothing but images and sounds - a reflection of Skam's refusal to publicize themselves. From the label, in its first Japan tour, Gescom will DJ and Push Button Objects will perform a live set.

In their Gescom incarnation, Autechre's Booth and Brown have released a series of EPs, including their 1995 debut The Sound of Machines Our Parents Used. Their material has been decidedly more aggressive than that of Autechre, offering a harder rhythmic edge than Autechre's more chilled-out approach. Their first full-length, MiniDisc, appeared in 1998.

Hailing from Miami, Skam artist Push Button Objects represents the US side of the electro-meets-hip hop movement. A one-man machine in the form of producer Edgar Farinas, Push Button Objects creates a wily fusion of hip hop, electro and jungle. Farinas made his name with his debut EP Push Button Objects (Schematic), which demonstrated a crafty use of manipulated sounds and samples in a highly unorthodox mutation of hip hop. His most recent release as PBO is Dirty Dozen (Chocolate Industries).

Also appearing at Cay will be Koss performing live, and the Global Chillage Crew in the DJ booth.

Skam: Cay, 7/1, 10:30pm, JY3500 (adv), JY4000 (door). Tel: 03-3498-5790.