The Castle II, by Tomo Akikawabaya

The Castle II

by Tomo Akikawabaya

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Full Digital Discography

52

releases

Get all 52 mecanica releases available on Bandcamp and save 40%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The Language of Machines [1985-1991], Interstate, Interstate: Addendum, Sundown, Organic?, The Castle II, Waves, We Design The Future, and 44 more. , and , .

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1.	Mars, Afterwords... 01:57	buy track
2.	Le Voleur 07:22	buy track
3.	Objet d'Amour 03:58	buy track
4.	Untitled 03:52	buy track
5.	The Castle I 04:25	buy track
6.	Machine d'Amour 08:45	buy track
7.	The Steeple of Lewdness 08:20	buy track
8.	The Sea 07:06	buy track
9.	The April (Prologue) 03:09	buy track
10.	The April 09:51	buy track
11.	Ray 06:23	buy track
12.	Boy A 04:32	buy track
13.	The Wine of Heaven 08:11	buy track

about

ORDER 2LP:  b.link/tomocastletwo

“The Castle II” is a collection of works composed and recorded by the Japanese artist Tomo Akikawabaya between 1986 and 1989. An album filled with obscure atmospheres, hypnotic rhythms, electronic melodies, experimental interludes and the unique and mesmerizing voice of Akikawabaya.

Since the release of the album “The Castle I” in 1984, Tomo Akikawabaya became disappointed with the music scene in Japan and thought that the only way to continue as a musician was to release his music abroad. After finish to record some new songs, he embarked on an adventurous trip to London in order to look for an opportunity for a new release. Unfortunately, after three months and despite meeting many artists and important people in the music industry, luck was not on Akikawabaya's side and with time running out he had to return to Japan without a concrete proposal. In the following years, although he continued to work with his long-time partner Takaaki Han-ya with a project called Beata Beatrix, he never published anything and later focused to other activities. It was until 2015 that the New York label Minimal Wave released “The Invitation of The Dead” compiling songs from “The Castle” (1984) and “Anju” (1985), both originally released on his own label Castle Records. Tomo Akikawabaya is currently working under the moniker of Th, together with his wife Rinko, on a project called The Future Eve.

credits

released January 9, 2024

All songs written by Takaaki Han-ya and Tomo Akikawabaya, except “The April” & “Ray” written by Tomo Akikawabaya.  Lyrics by Tomo Akikawabaya
 
Vocals: Tomo Akikawabaya
Trumpet: Morio Kuni (Le Voleur, Machine d’Amour & The April)
Piano: Tomo Akikawabaya (Ray)
Guitar: Takaaki Han-ya (Ray), Sanae Han-ya (Boy A.)
All other instruments: Takaaki Han-ya

All songs recorded & mixed in the 1980’s
Recorded, mixed, produced by Takaaki Han-ya (BeaPot Studio)
Mastered by Nicolás Zúñiga
 Photo: Remi Ozaki
Design: Audrey + Alain

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