Guest Selector: Jun Kamoda

Before branching out into electronic music in 2016, Jun Kamoda was already known as a formidable force in Japan’s music scene. He has been making music under his hip-hop alias Ilreme for over 15 years, as well as being a member of the hip-hop trio Baleine 3000. With previous dance music EPs released on Mister Saturday Night Records, Mall Grab’s Steel City Dance Discs imprint and Bristolian label Black Acre, Kamoda returns to Black Acre for the release of his debut LP.

His self-titled album is an energetic and idiosyncratic record that embraces everything from Balearic house and new-age disco, to broken beats and Japanese vocals. As with Kamoda’s previous releases on Black Acre, his wife Hisano has created the captivating album sleeve artwork and limited edition prints will be released alongside the album. Kamoda talks us through ten of his current favourite remixes.

Róisín Murphy – House Of Glass (Maurice Fulton Remix)
[Play It Again Sam, 2015]

"There is a perfect bassline and guitar riff in this remix. Maurice Fulton always knows how mad disco music is. His latest album as Syclops is awesome mad disco too." 

Catz 'N Dogz – Good Touch (feat. Eglė Sirvydytė) (Matthew Herbert Remix)
[Pets Recordings, 2016]

"I think Matthew Herbert is one of the really great sound storytellers when using the technique called remix. The unstable bassline reminds me of a mysterious world, much like the movie Labyrinth (starring David Bowie)."

The Chemical Brothers – Sometimes I Feel So Deserted (C2 Trigger RMX)
[Virgin EMI, 2015]

"I have been surprised by this Carl Craig remix. When I listened to it for the first time I thought that the remix finished at 8:34, but it never ended. Suddenly distorted bass and hi-hats proceeded to play – it was super cool."

Rhythm & Sound – Poor People Must Work (Carl Craig Remix)
[Burial mix, 2005]

"This is the best remix out of all the ones I have listened to so far. The voice edit is very impressive. The structure of [Craig's] remix is beautiful as always."

Peggy Gou – When Round, They Go (Terekke Remix) 
[Rekids, 2016]

"To me, Terrekke's remix of When Round, They Go was the best in 2016. His remix has a great hazy view of the world and gorgeous layers of sound too."

Tiefschwarz – Wait and See (Alter Ego Remix)
[Fine Records, 2005]

"Alter Ego has chosen only one word from the original vocal. That word becomes a destructive force much like a magic spell. Likewise, I can feel the breath of rock music where the remix has an extensive space between drum machine and synthesiser."

Todd Terje – Inspector Norse (Pepe Bradock remix)
[Olsen Records, 2015]

"In my opinion, if a parallel world could exist between an original version and a remix version, then the remix version would be right. When I work remixes I always keep that theory in mind.  Todd Terje's original and Pepe Bradock's remix is the one-off specimen which proves that theory."

Jesse Futerman – Gem (Hidden Spheres Remix)
[Church, 2016]

"This remix has a great balance which has been constructed between the original artist's character and remixer's character. It was really dressed up well by Hidden Spheres."

Fever Ray – Wanna Sip (Olof Dreijer Remix)
[Rabid Records, 2018]

"In my opinion, this remix is the best remix of 2018. Olof Dreijer drew other dimensions of Fever Ray’s voice. I have played it a lot, and when I played it at a club called Dada in Beijing, this sound fitted perfectly with the local audience."

The Brand New Heavies – Saturday Night (Jay Dee remix feat. Mos Def)
[Delicious Vinyl, 2000]

"It is like many house music remixes; however, it is definitely hip-hop. I always hope that my music balance is like this remix. By the way, I have a memory about The Brand New Heavies: when I was at a club, I was talked to by a member of The Brand New Heavies after I rapped on stage at the club. He said to me that he was a bassist and he would like to feature my rap on their song. He gave me his email address, but I lost it. So I am not sure whether it was true or not."

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Jun Kamoda is released on 5 Oct via Black Acre