Haltya – Japan Anime Punk Sessions EP (2012) / psy 8-bit punk, jazz

Old school Suomisaundi and Finnish funkedelic disco electronica pioneers Haltya are back with another release for your pleasure: Japan Anime Punk Sessions EP, recorded in the spring of 2012 while toying around with the idea of an imaginary virtual anime band. Better known for their trademark Scandinavian funky psychedelia, this one-off concept EP shows that the band takes having fun very seriously. Like the title of the EP suggests, the release is nothing short of a playful sound-kiss full of youth and influences from Japanese anime punk, 70′s funk leads, heavy radio compression, and video games, bringing back some long lost innocence with a fun, naive approach to childlike psychedelic soundscapes.

Kick-off tracks “Överture” and “Hiro In The Sky With Diamonds” were recorded shortly after the departure of Japanese Suomisoundi main man Hiro-san AKA DJ Sharaku into the great unknown. A few years back, while Tommi was staying at his house near mount Fuji as a guest, Hiro had given Tommi some Japanese vocal acapella samples and asked, “maybe possible make track?” These two tracks are the result and are dedicated to our beloved friend Hiro-san may he rest in peace. The track “Breakfast In Japan” features influences from Japanese food, 8-bit style game sounds and Amiga-era chip music with a fast steady neo-punkish riddim-grip. To make it extra punk-ish and colorful, the release tops it off with an experimental free-jazz jam featuring Tommi on the grand piano.