A buoyant masterpiece from the early 90s, "The Water Garden" was created by Okinawa-born Kojun Kokuba under the inspiring image of a "happy Asia" thriving in the sea-based trading networks of the medieval to pre-modern era, with the concept that various types of music, as well as physical goods, were distributed and dispersed across the seas connecting various parts of east and southeast Asia. Fittingly, the music here has definite and distinctive Ryukyu island roots, but is informed by a number of other Asian musical traditions, layering phrases derived from numerous Asian scales, often altered by Kojun, eschewing typical Western chordal harmonic movement. Kojun uses the synths and multitrack recorders of the early 90s to, in his words, "pile up lines" in sweet and not at all overbearing melodic accumulations, with a desire to distribute and disperse a new energy from Okinawa to the rest of Asia and the world. Despite a pleasing and compelling rhythmic lilt and the use of synths and drum machines, this music was not created as a product for the dance floor; Kojun envisioned a type of electronic salon music, a "light music" made with contemporary technology. This is the first LP edition of the self-produced original 1993 CD release and includes bonus tracks and liner notes in English and Japanese.
Release date:
September 15, 2023
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
Denon DP-400
Featuring a high-precision, belt-driven mechanism and an adjustable tonearm that ensures optimal tracking and minimal resonance
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Tom Skinner Kaleidoscopic Visions
International Anthem Recording Co
September 26, 2025 -
The Casket Lottery Feel The Teeth
Iodine Recordings
September 26, 2025 -
Dayseeker Creature In The Black Night (Gray)
Spinefarm
October 24, 2025 -
Nine Inch Nails TRON: Ares Soundtrack (White) [2xLP]
The Null Corporation/Interscope
September 19, 2025 -
Gomez Liquid Skin (Green) [2xLP]
Integral
October 17, 2025 -
Sabaton Legends
Better Noise Music
October 17, 2025 -
Biohazard Divided We Fall
Frontiers New Recordings Physical Only
October 17, 2025 -
Dirkschneider & The Old Gang Babylon [2xLP]
Reigning Phoenix Music America, LLC
October 3, 2025 -
Ludwig Göransson Sinners Score [2xLP]
Mutant
September 26, 2025 -
Sabaton Legends (Amazon Exclusive Edition)
Better Noise Music
October 17, 2025 -
Molly Nilsson Amateur
Night School
October 17, 2025 -
Belair Lip Bombs Again
Third Man Records
October 31, 2025 -
Chicks On Speed HEARTopia (Deluxe Edition, Pink) [5xLP]
Groenland Records
October 17, 2025 -
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard King Gizzard (Demos Vol. 7 + 8 Double Splatter) [2xLP]
Reverberation Appreciation Soc
October 31, 2025