Belgium label Stroom start the year with Les Anges, Les Bonheurs, a short compilation from little known Japanese artist Sonoko.
Having featured on Crammed Discs’ second It’s A Crammed Crammed World! compilation back in 1987 which was followed by her ‘La Débutante’ LP and one 7″, but then came to a long hiatus.
Although Sonoko continued to make music, she’s remained under the radar, but Stroom’s Jan Van den Broeke hopes to shine a spotlight on her once again with this 4-track release.
Recorded while studying in Paris in the early 2000s, the four fragile, atmospheric tracks that make up the EP are somewhat unique and unclassifiable.
Starting with the beautiful French spoken word of ‘Aoi Tori (Dai Go Maku)’. Her keys skills come to the fore on “L’Enfant Du Paradis” an enchanting piano piece that’s truly exceptional. The drifting ambience of ‘Danse Avec La Tristesse’ keeps things at a gentle pace and the Serge Gainsbourg-esque easy listening of “L’Oisseau Blue” finishes off this engaging collection.
A captivating listen.
