In 1989, pianist and composer Yumiko Morioka put together a group of diverse street musicians and semi-professional players for a project that would come to be called the Synergetic Voice Orchestra. Inspired by Yumiko's love of different musical cultures from around the globe, the band drew on influences from India, Ethiopia, Mali, Korea and China to create an album that merged these sonic identities with more traditional sounds from the southern Japanese city of Okinawa. Having released her solo piano record Resonance a couple of years earlier, Yumiko was thrilled when offered the chance to make an album of 'any kind of music she wanted'. She pulled together artists she knew or had seen playing from in and around Tokyo, many of whom were self-taught and could not read music. It wasn't always easy for Yumiko, a classically taught musician, to work with others who lacked her formal training. But by employing the synergetic principles of American architect and theorist Buckminster Fuller, she fostered an environment where the results of the group had a larger impact than that of the individual. This approach brought a real energy to her compositions and the resulting recording sessions produced MIOS, an exploratory, creative work that felt alive with free-wheeling creativity. Nothing was off limits. The drummer, who ran a vegetable stall by day and practiced in a cemetery at night as to not disturb his neighbours, utilised old washing machine parts for some of the percussive elements.  Although Synergetic Voice Orchestra would eventually morph into a new band, leaving MIOS to exist as a singular moment in time, the album remains as one of Japan's true hidden treasures. Originally a CD only release, MIOS now comes to vinyl for the very first time, complete with brand new artwork by Elvis Barlow-Smith.
Release date:
September 3, 2021
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.
![Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/intl/en_us/badges/static/images/badges/en_badge_web_generic.png)
Recommended equipment and accessories
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Rockin' Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters More Fun With Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters (Translucent Purple)
Ato Records
August 30, 2024 -
Deer Tick Contractual Obligations (Ice Blue EP)
Ato Records
July 12, 2024 -
Alva Noto HYbr:ID III [2xLP]
Noton
July 5, 2024 -
Zero One Zero Traces Of Yesterday
Deko Music
August 23, 2024 -
Vestige Janis [2xLP]
Season Of Mist
September 6, 2024 -
Siamese Elements
Long Branch Records
August 9, 2024 -
The Armoires Octoberland
Big Stir Records Llc
October 11, 2024 -
D-a-D Speed Of Darkness [2xLP]
Afm Records
October 4, 2024 -
The Clockworks Exit Strategy (Yellow & Black)
Universal UK
July 19, 2024 -
The Bar Stool Preachers Below The Static
Pure Noise Records
September 13, 2024 -
Highschool Accelerator
Pias America
July 12, 2024 -
Dave Harrington Skull Dream
Many Hats Dist
August 23, 2024 -
George Strait Cowboys and Dreamers [2xLP]
UMG Nashville
September 6, 2024 -
Odie Leigh Carrier Pigeon (Tangerine)
Mom+Pop
July 12, 2024