ICHI – Maru

You might *think* you make eclectic music, but until you record an album based on field samples of your gurgling baby, the rustling of turning pages, Big Ben's chime and a buzzing mosquito... you've got nothing on ICHI. What's more, ICHI cooks up his further-than-left-field ingredients into a record that's miraculously unpretentious.

Capturing a rare sense of humour within the world of avant-garde musos, ICHI uses semi-recognisable threads of punk, reggae and folk rhythms to help drive you through his madcap laboratory of found instruments, Japanese times tables and surreal, multi-lingual lyrics.

Admittedly, you might not like it all... but there's a solid chance that the papery beat-making of Book could change your perspective on that un-read hardback by your bed. Lead single Go Gagambo, championed by the aforementioned mozzie, is a thumping, inclusive conversation-starter. Bizarre and playful, Maru melts a staggering amount of obtuse influences, but never feels anything less than encouraging. Go on, have a go.