Even within the world of experimental pop, Shuta Hasunuma and U-zhaan aren’t household names. But the upcoming worldwide release of their new experimental ambient collaboration 2 Tone — a deft fusion of Shuta Husunuma’s optimistic sensibilities and U-zhaan’s tabla skills — aims to teach music fans what they’re all about. Shuta’s got seven solo albums under his belt so far, and U-zhaan is no slouch either, having already collaborated with avant microsounder Ryuichi Sakamoto and posterboy for new American weird Devendra Banhart — both of whom appear on 2 Tone. No-waver Arto Lindsay also helps out with vox and guitars on a track too.
2 Tone has nothing whatsoever to do with ska or with the 12-tone technique. Rather, listeners will be treated to an eclectic array of blippy beats, warm synths, and of course, those tasty tablas. Check out the latest album track to be unleashed from this powerhouse mega-collab, “Lal” featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto (a.k.a. the guy who recently played a house as an instrument), which TMT is proud to premiere for you today.
For all you New Yorkers, Shuta and U-zhaan will also be performing at Red Hook arts space Pioneer Works on February 23, coinciding with the opening of Shuta’s solo exhibition Compositions, his first in the United States — congrats!
2 Tone had a limited run on the Japanese label Commmons (the extra “m” stands for “music!”), but on March 16, it will be available worldwide via Northern Spy imprint Birdwatcher on CD, LP and digital. In the meantime, you can pre-order it here, and check out the new song, cover art, and full tracklist down below:
2 Tone tracklist:
01. Tone Tone Tone & Tone Tone Two
02. Green Gold Grey feat. Arto Lindsay
03. Mixed Bathing World
04. A Kind of Love Song feat. Devendra Banhart
05. Sporty
06. Music for Five Tablas
07. Lal feat. Ryuichi Sakamoto
08. Radio S
09. Dryer
10. ISO
More about: Arto Lindsay, Devendra Banhart, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Shuta Hasunuma, U-zhaan
