Calm

Cutting-edge Tokyo breakbeats label Revirth presents a release party for its debut compilation Org this coming Saturday at Liquid Room. The party will feature live sets by some of Japan' emerging breakbeats forces as well as DJ sets by minimal techno creator Karafuto and others.

With the exception of Karafuto (a.k.a. Fumiya Tanaka, Individual Orchestra, etc.), many of the up-and-coming artists on the Revirth roster are little known to the public. But Revirth has already made a name for itself among influential UK DJs Gilles Peterson and Mixmaster Morris - both have included tracks by Revirth artists on recent playlists.

Minimal techno creator Karafuto

The party will provide a chance to test run new tracks off Org, not only by Karafuto in his Individual Orchestra abstract/breakbeats incarnation, but also by a number of hip hop, trip hop, abstract and headz-influenced artists including Numb & Saidrum, the Moonage Electric Quartet, Hanumand and Local Koncept. Challenging sets are anticipated to provide a window into the current state of electronica in Japan.

Turning to Tokyo's increasingly lively hip hop scene, Oakland-based underground MC Mass Quantity will be bringing his tough love raps and rhymes to Warp in Kichijoji this Friday for an event entitled Hip Hop Cleaning Shop. Mass Quantity arrived in Tokyo in July for a one-off show to promote his debut CD If They Only Knew..., but things went so well that he decided to stick around to schedule more events. The rotund rapper says he digs the hip hop scene here because, "It's young and innocent compared to the US where hip hop has become big business. People here still have the freedom to do things we don't do anymore." The event will team Mass Quantity with local DJs, and is being sponsored by Bamboo Curtain, a non-profit collective of rappers, DJs and dancers organized to increase understanding between Japanese and American B-Boys. (See CD review)

Org: Liquid Room, 8/26, 11:30pm, JY2500 (adv), JY3500 (door). Tel: 03-3200-6831. Org is available on Revirth from 8/25.

Mass Quantity: Kichijoji Warp, 8/25, 11pm, JY2000 w/1d. Tel: 0422-22-3516.