"Since Japan broke up all four members have left the pop arena and this latest release continues the trend. The esoteric nature of the music, exploring improvisational techniques and incorporating walls of sound with jazz-style rhythms, is a trait to be found on a lot of the members' previous works. Not always immediately accessible, most of the tracks tend to draw you in slowly, with complex sound layering and hooks that eventually stick and grow in force. Styles change enormously, from meandering, broody pieces to more conventional (dare I say?) pop." KEYBOARD MAGAZINE
Started in 1993, Medium Productions features the works of Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri and Mick Karn, all formerly of the group Japan / Rain Tree Crow. In marketing their own material, Steve, Richard and Mick see Medium as a means to release material outside of commercial label constraints. And, boy, we know there are many!
Mick Karn/Three Part Species ....import CD $17.99
(excerpt from 'Of & About')
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Mick Karn's 7th solo album illustrates more than any other, how completely in command of musical composition he has become. A mixture of so many diverse types of music that, somehow never, even for a second, sound confused in direction. It's impossible with each piece to predict which genre will come next, as the listener is guided through Mick Karn's unique world. At times, there are elements of Motown rhythms and gospel choirs, classical arrangements and rock guitars, passing through hip-hop and jazz fusion, ethnic traditions and pop songs. The fast tempo bass on 'Twitchy Hand Mover' leaves you wondering how it is possible to actually play such lines, as it totally dominates the track, but then again, so do the clarinets in 'Chocolate Was A Boy', and the acoustic instrumentation in 'Pitta Pop'. The album includes the voice of new vocalist Bex Collins, who Mick chose after auditioning 'All You Have' through the Mick Karn website. It also has Mick singing on two songs, the title track from the single 'Of & About' and 'The Wrong Truth'. "I find both my vocal tracks to be quite moving love songs, but that's my own personal interpretation, they might not readily come across the same to anyone else." Mick commented, "I've always felt with music that the listener should draw their own conclusions from how it makes them feel at any given time. A happy song for some can often appear sad to others." There are places that will leave you floating in surrealism, while others anchor you to the ground with solidly formed structures and melodies, and the only disappointment likely to be felt when listening to Three Part Species, is the wish at the end of each track, for more of the same. When asked to explain where some of his influences for writing came from, Mick only had one thing to say: "The life I'm living of course, where else?"
Mick Karn/Love's Glove ....import CD EP $10.99
(excerpt from 'Mustard Grapes')
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"The four tracks were recorded during February and March and are a bridge between More Better Different and the next album. Although much time has passed since the last release, 'mustard grapes' and 'outline ... sandcastle' were already half written before More Better Different's release and therefore seem to share a sympathetic quality. The remaining two tracks point the way and were written at the time of recording. I find 'regretted' particularly rewarding as a musician as it's made up of only 8 sounds, all of them real and unsynthesized. I also find it to be quite an uncomfortable and disturbing track, something I haven't felt with a piece of music for a long time. It seemed to have a mind of it's own, taking shape and falling into place almost by accident during one sitting." - Mick Karn
Mick Karn/Of & About ....import CD single $9.99
(excerpt from 'Edge of Charm')
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The 3 track double A side features 2 songs slated for Mick's 7th solo album due for release later this year (albeit in special 'single versions'). The title track is a blend of Hip-Hop rhythms, evangelical choirs, Jazz and catchy vocals, all brought together with a melodic and unpredictable bass line. Although the description may sound complicated, it belies the simplicity of the love song at the heart of 'Of & About'. MK "I see it as a jigsaw puzzle of sounds, each fitting neatly into its own space without disturbing the overall picture." The alternative A side introduces the voice of new vocalist Bex Collins in a dark, moody setting with the surprising addition of fuzz bass guitars and a Gypsy violin. 'All You Have' was auditioned extensively before Mick decided on Bex as the missing element needed to complete the song. "I gave no indication of what I wanted to hear," explains Mick, "It's a strange track, but I knew the right singer would understand it without any guidance." The third piece, 'Edge Of Charm' is an up-beat instrumental exclusively recorded for the single.
Richard Barbieri/Things Buried ....import CD $18.99
(excerpt from 'Path Not Taken')
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"Things Buried" is the debut solo album from Richard Barbieri. Surprisingly this is his first solo work despite a musical career that has spanned four decades. He joined the group Japan in 1976 and although initially perceived as a hyped act, the band went on to enjoy commercial success and critical acclaim. They were one of the most successful bands of the early eighties and the album "Tin Drum" is still considered today a classic innovative work. He has been a member of the rock band Porcupine Tree for ten years and recently the group have enjoyed chart success across Europe with their album "In Absentia." To mention all the albums, collaborations, tours, and guest appearances over the years requires a detailed discography. Suffice to say that Richard's musical output has been substantial and varied and he has worked on many projects alongside some of the most innovative artists of our time. "Things Buried" is an instrumental work that highlights Barbieri's unique approach to sound and mood, ranging from textural atmospherics to dynamic rhythmic passages. The album also features the distinctive styles of Percy Jones (Brian Eno, Brand X, Tunnels) on fretless bass guitar and Andy Gangadeen ( The Bays, Massive Attack ) on Drums.
Mick Karn/Each Path a Remix ....import CD $15.99
Mick's 6th solo album, 'Each Eye A Path', was released in early 2001. A moody
retrospective featuring vocals from Mick and musical contributions from Steve Jansen. Mick
was later approached by colleagues and friends who expressed the wish to remix some of the
tracks. Curious to know how other artists would approach his work, Mick asked several
others to join the project. 'Each Path a Remix' is the result with contributions from
Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Torn and Richard Barbieri amongst others.
Special Note - with special thanks to Medium Productions and
Mick Karn we are able to offer for a limited time autographed copies of Each Path a Remix!
Be sure to order your copy today!!!
Mick Karn/Each Eye a Path ....import CD $15.99
Each Eye A Path is Mick Karn's fifth solo album, it consists of 10 tracks written, arranged and recorded between 1995 and 1999, with two of the pieces featuring Mick's lead vocal. Mick first came to prominence as a key member of the group Japan, his unique bass playing skills contributing to the global success of the band. He then released various solo projects on Virgin and CMP, working with Peter Murphy, Midge Ure, Kate Bush, Joan Armatrading, David Sylvian, David Torn and Natacha Atlas. He formed Medium Productions with Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri in 1993 to release material independent of major label restrictions and concerns, there are now eleven titles available on the label. Each Eye is an album of mood swings, often darkness replaced by light, melancholy thoughts by hope. The other two musicians involved are Mieko Shimizu ( Apache 61 ) and Steve Jansen, who between them played organ, drums, programmed and mixed and helped with various arrangements.
Steve Jansen & Claudio Chianura/Kinoapparatom ....import CD $15.99
In December 1999 Steve Jansen was invited by Italian keyboardist, composer and producer Claudio Chianura to join him and two additional Italian musicians (Roberto Zorzi, guitar and Piero Chianura, keyboard effects) for a semi-improvised live performance to a special screening of the renowned Dziga Vertov film 'Kinoapparatom' (or 'Man with a Movie Camera') at the Palazzina Liberty in Milan. Vertov was one of the most unorthodox artists in the Soviet avant-garde movement, both in his style, exhibited by his documentary films, and his concept of cinema. Made in 1929 and inspired by constructivism, Vertov wanted to create an international film language. With only very limited rehearsals and the minimal use of equipment, the four musicians communicate their craft through the eye of Vertov, and their instinctive reactions guide their performance through the striking images. What emerges is an abstract and intense work where transient tones are dispersed by evolving moods. Dark substance carried on mechanised rhythms, fragile and impending, a sense of future past.
Jansen Barbieri and Karn/Playing In A Room With People ....import CD $15.99
This is the debut live album from Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri and Mick Karn, who are well known as former members of Japan and Rain Tree Crow. 'Playing In A Room With People' was recorded in 1997, when the band played a series of dates in Japan, prefaced by a show at London's Astoria. The band line up for this tour also featured Steven Wilson ( Porcupine Tree, No Man) on guitar, Theo Travis ( Gong ) on saxophones and flute, with a special guest appearance by Natacha Atlas. A retrospective selection of material was performed, spanning over a decade of albums. Apart from tracks from previous Karn,Jansen / Barbieri and Rain Tree Crow releases, the album also contains two previously unreleased tracks. These are, ' Walkabout ' which is a stunning solo performance by Richard Barbieri and the studio recording of ' Types Of Ambiguity ' written and performed by Steve Jansen, who also mixed the album.
Jansen, Barbieri and Karn/Ism ....import CD $15.99
Ism transpired from a major label signing (Polydor Japan ) and was released in Japan in the early part of '99. Medium was then able to licence the album in territories outside of Japan, (excluding the UK). Ism is the first complete album in which Jansen, Barbieri and Karn have written and recorded as a three piece and in it’s uniqueness fully envelopes the trio’s distinctive musical styles.
JBK: We sometimes feel that the process of recording can become too habitual, particularly when collaborating within the familiar surrounds of an enduring friendship. We’re at a point where we seek out the ‘accidents’ when structuring a piece of music - singular moments that lead a composition away from the familiar and alludes to something much more unforeseen - a way of stepping outside of our own trappings to reveal hidden dimensions that may even surprise ourselves.
Jansen, Takahashi/Pulse Remix ....import CD $15.99
Remixes of titles from the original ‘pulse’ recording featuring remixes by 4 Hero, Spacer, DJ Spooky, Reflection, Fantastic Plastic Machine, and Steve Jansen. The Medium release differs from the Japanese version in that the Eric Kupper Remix of 'Prayer of Gold' has been replaced by a new version by Steve Jansen, and the Reflection 'Confused Bits' have not been included.
Various Artists/The Medium Sampler ....import CD $9.99
Not familiar with the Medium catalog, but curious enough to want to try it out? Well here's where to start! The Medium Sampler contains a track from every title you see on this page (except Seed) and at a price that can't be beat for a full length import CD! And for those completists who already have everything on this page, Medium has included a bonus 'incentive' track which is a live recording of 'Life Without Buildings' taken from the Astoria II concert in London '97 that is previously unreleased and features the talents of Steve Wilson and Theo Travis.
Mick Karn & Yoshihiro Hanno/Liquid Glass ....import CD $15.99
Hanno and Karn were first introduced to each other by a mutual friend during the summer of 1997. The varied musical backgrounds of the artists and their approach to composition has resulted in a tasteful blend of contemporary musical styles, incorporating Hip Hop, Drum & Bass and Jungle with Blues and Jazz undertones. The tracks feature Mick Karn's uncompromising style of approach to the bass guitar and includes samples of his spoken voice both in Greek and English. Liquid Glass signifies a developing new genre for the 90's. An interative blend of technology and ethnic cultural roots.
Steve Jansen & Yukihiro Takahashi/Pulse ....import CD $15.99
Last Year Steve Jansen and Yukihiro Takahashi formed a UK based unit known as Pulse and completed a 6 track album in Tokyo and London under the same name. An intimate and exotic interpretation of vocal material within the influences of contemporary musical styles. Female vocalists from England and India, as well as the charm and warmth of Takahashi's own voice, embellish the combined songwriting approaches of Jansen and Takahashi - both the innovative drummers of Japan and Yellow Magic Orchestra (respectively) and who now both define their own musical genre.
Jansen, Barbieri, Takemura/Changing Hands .....import CD $15.99
A collaborative work between Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri and Japanese DJ / remix artist from Kyoto, Nobukazu Takemura. The varied musical backgrounds of the artists and their approach to composition has resulted in an adventurous work that embraces styles such as Drum & Bass, Electronic, Trance, Ambient and Minimalist, yet never relies on formula.
Indigo Falls/Indigo Falls ....import CD $15.99
Indigo Falls (formerly The Oystercatchers) consists of Suzanne Barbieri and Richard Barbieri. Their first release, a track entitled 'The Wilderness' appeared on the 'Beginning to Melt' compilation album from Medium Productions. The seven songs on this new album are diverse in nature and range from bluesy atmospheric ballads through to more dynamic groove orientated pieces.
Jansen, Barbieri, Karn/Beginning to Melt ....import CD $15.99
This compilation of works is the first in an intended series scheduled by the label which involves collaborative works, and shows the trio teamed with a wide range of other artists, and in a variety of styles. The album features David Torn, Robby Aceto, former Japan guitarist Rob Dean and The Oystercatchers (now known as Indigo Falls).
"Beginning To Melt is defiantly experimental in purely musical terms. Fluid, growling bass lines and swelling keyboards spar with Jansen's resonant percussion textures in songs and instrumentals which, however carefully layered on the multitrack, retain an improvisational air and a spontaneous beauty." MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
Jansen, Barbieri, Karn/Seed ....import mini CD $13.99
"Jansen / Barbieri & Karn deliver a beautiful instrumental mini-album which flickers and grooves. Seed is sexy in it's understatement and flow. It centres around a 12 minute revamp of Beginning To Melt. Hypnotic, glistening, it shows up most techno's paucity of imagination while simultaneously offering itself as an intro to 'Station To Station' in another dimension. I'm not crass enough to describe 'Seed' as ÒseminalÓ but there can be no doubt that all ex-members of Japan get moments of genius like the rest of us get free pizza leaflets through the letterbox." MELODY MAKER
Steve Jansen & Richard Barbieri/Stone to Flesh ....import CD $15.99
All titles are written and produced by Jansen/Barbieri and recorded in their own studios during winter 94-95. "......every song is minutely built-up around a central theme and enriched with subtle percussion hits (almost Jansens' trademark), ambient loops (David Torn on guitar) surprising details and an unexpected climax which regularly sets you on your wrong foot. Very successful are the three vocal tracks in which Steve Jansen delicately nestles within the brittle musical structures and never draws the attention to himself. 'Stone To Flesh' begs to be discovered and breathes a sensual sensitivity which makes you silent, and listen to the CD in it's entirety. The duo delivers a strong piece of atmospheric music in which you can look for hidden gems. You'll have to dig, but what you get out of it glitters for a long time." STAGE - BELGIUM
Steve Jansen & Richard Barbieri/Other Worlds in a Small Room ....import CD $15.99
Back in 1984, shortly after the demise of the group Japan, Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri were asked by JVC to compose a soundtrack to one of a series of 'ambient videos' to be released by the multi-national company. Recorded and mixed in Tokyo 'Worlds In A Small Room' was a quintessential ambient album, set against slow, drifting film footage extracted from various space shuttle missions, courtesy of NASA.
Now, 14 years on, the album has become something of a rarity and so, Jansen & Barbieri decided to re-issue selected tracks from the original recording and combine them with new pieces written specifically for this project and release it on their own Medium Productions label. The result, 'Other Worlds In A Small Room' - original analogue recordings (digitally re-mastered) combined with 3 new instrumental pieces (which are, in essence, solo recordings since the duo worked separately throughout) written and recorded earlier this year in Medium's own digital studio. A meditative work that owes little to the 'cast' of popular music, offering something altogether more intimate and reflective.
Fans of this music are also likely to greatly enjoy the work of Kit Watkins. You'll find more of Mick Karn on our CMP Page. Check out No-Man on our 3rd Stone, Voiceprint, and Materiali Sonori pages (the latter of which also contains the Marco Polo CD's) And don't forget to check out David Sylvian as well.
These three gentlemen are master musicians and, like other members of The Artist Shop, are responsible for a lot of fine music whether on their own or assisting others. If you love this music, you'll definitely want to go to our Text Catalog to check out their work with these other fine artists.
Robby Aceto ~ Joan Armatrading ~ Michael Brook ~ Kate Bush ~ Dali's Car ~ Dolphin Brothers ~ Mark Isham ~ Jakko ~ Jansen/Barbieri ~ Japan ~ Mick Karn ~ Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ~ Lonely Universe ~ Bill Nelson ~ Porcupine Tree ~ Andy Rinehart ~ Ryuichi Sakamoto ~ David Sylvian ~ David Torn ~ Torn/Karn/Bozzio ~ Midge Ure
Also, be sure to check out the following categories in Sheetmusicplus
Isham, Mark
Sylvian, David
Torn, David
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