Influences: Hiroshi Watanabe

 
Music

There are very few whom can claim as much delicate intricacy as Hiroshi Watanabe, a singular producer from Japan who has left a legacy in his wake. Since 1996 he has evolved as a musician – from early appearances on the infamous Nite Grooves record label all the way through to his ambient project kaito which has been heavily supported by Kompakt. He is a veteran in the exploration of sound and continues to push both the boundaries of modern day club music and the ethereal realms of electronic music and soundtracks as a whole. Some might regard Hiroshi as an unsung hero but those in the know are well aware that he is very much a champion in his own realm. With an enviable back catalogue and a plethora of supporters you would be hard pushed to find a more infamous figure with renowned success…

This month saw him release on Transmat Records, a label with which he has held a long affiliation. We invited him to chart influences below…


Follow him on Facebook HERE. Buy the new EP HERE

Isao Tomita 1985 The Mind Of The Universe Live At Linz 1984

Tomita is certainly one of my heroes. I especially appreciate the live outdoor recordings from his catalog, those performances always stood out and really impressed to me. I found his choice of landscape to go with the music very inspiring and I hope I can do something similar, where I can choose a landscape that contributes to my music and recording.
I was very lucky to have attended a huge live concert at Yokohama bay in Japan when I was a high school student. It was in the summertime and his amazing music was accompanied by a fireworks show. His infamous pyramid control room was there, out on the sea. All I could feel was “WOW”.

  • Isao Tomita 1985 The Mind Of The Universe Live At Linz 1984

    Tomita is certainly one of my heroes. I especially appreciate the live outdoor recordings from his catalog, those performances always stood out and really impressed to me. I found his choice of landscape to go with the music very inspiring and I hope I can do something similar, where I can choose a landscape that contributes to my music and recording.
    I was very lucky to have attended a huge live concert at Yokohama bay in Japan when I was a high school student. It was in the summertime and his amazing music was accompanied by a fireworks show. His infamous pyramid control room was there, out on the sea. All I could feel was “WOW”.

  • Akira Soundtrack - Geinoh Yamashirogumi

    I was a high school student when AKIRA came out. I think if AKIRA had a soundtrack other than Geinoh Yamashirogumi’s, it wouldn’t have been nearly as good. The soundtrack really takes the film to a higher level. The animation was super great and no one can deny that, but I have to say music is what made this movie. I believe the soundtrack is what made this movie truly legendary.

  • John Mclaughlin, Paco Delucia, Al Dimeola - Friday Night In San Francisco

    When I was in junior high school, I listened to this album so many times. It’s an amazing live recording by 3 genius guitarists. During the same period I loved to listen to heavy metal and more distorted guitars, but this was always amazing and really interesting. I loved the super fast strokes without distortions, the technique and feeling, the passion and the whole atmosphere that captured the audience. I’ve learned a lot much from listening to this album.

  • Ryuichi Sakamoto Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence Ending Scene

    I watched this movie in the theater when I was 12 years old, and it’s been 36 years since. To this day I feel deeply moved when I listen to Sakamoto’s beautiful, melancholic tracks from every scene in this movie. This movie is well known and pretty old school, but if you’ve never seen it, I would recommend to watch whole thing. I found the last scene of the movie to be really great. Not only the music, but the all the elements combined were amazing.
    Ryuichi Sakamoto was also acting in a very important role in the movie. That was wonderful!

  • Chick Corea - Children Songs

    I’ve loved to listen to Corea’s music ever since he was doing Elektric Band, but afterwards I discovered “Children Songs”. This has some of the most wonderful, sweet piano pieces ever, some of which sounded very minimalistic, repetitive and layered into perfect melodies. I love the melancholic balance. I still have the piano scores, although I couldn’t play them that well.

  • Miles Davis Live Under The Sky 85

    I was waiting for this live show on Japanese TV, and I recorded it on VCR. So I watched this performance many times. During this period, there were so many Jazz festivals in Japan every year. Ever since then, I listened to all of Miles’ electronic Jazz work such as “TUTU”, “You Under Arrest” “Amandra” “The Man with the Horn” …… such an artist.

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