The Calm Before

Double vinyl LP pressing. 2021 album from the legendary Japanese downtempo producer. Before is a slow-burning Balearic beauty. Calm aka Kiyotaka Fukagawa has never been to the White Isle, but he sure knows how to capture it's musical essence. He has done so over a long and storied career that has taken in 17 albums and some 35 EPs on many labels including this one over the last 20-plus years. His unique blend of ambient, jazz and leftfield was last showcased on this label in 2018 with his By Your Side album, and now he does it again with another timeless and escapist offering.