NanoSweep 10
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Album Title: NanoSweep 10 |
| Record Label: NanoSounds / SuperSweep |
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| Catalog No.: NS-010 |
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| Release Date: August 14, 2010 |
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| Purchase: Buy Used Copy |
Overview
Nanosweep is an ongoing series of original music that was initiated in 2004 by various members of Nanosounds and Supersweep. It usually features members from each of these companies and occasionally a guest composer. This is the tenth original album and features compositions by Hiroshi Okubo, Ryo Watanabe, Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, Takahiro Eguchi, and Yousuke Yasui.
Body
The album opens up with Shinji Hosoe’s “Mysterious Pot.” This theme is an interesting opener and I would place it somewhere in the middle in terms of quality, when comparing it to other Nanosweep Hosoe tracks. Of course, it features some very heavy beats alongside ethnic vocal samples, and, for the most part, is pretty standard of his Sampling Masters work. However, there are some interesting elements interspersed throughout, such as some jazzy brass samples and oddly enough, even a harmonica solo over the electronic mayhem.
Ayako Saso, who more often than not composes rave style tracks for the Nanosweep series, moves away from that genre to provide a more electro lounge jazz type tune. It’s another interesting mix featuring a lead brass melody together with supporting DJ scratching, vocal samples, and, of course, spacey synth from time to time. It’s probably my least favorite of the six tunes featured on the album, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad track.
Yousuke Yasui’s track, “Dream on, friend (remix 2010),” is extremely catchy. I’m not sure where the original “Dream on, friend” comes from, but stylistically, this remix is more similar to Saso’s than the other contributors. For the first time, if I’m not mistaken, this theme is a full-fledged vocal song with an unknown male on lead vocals. However, it’s still quite enjoyable as his voice is quite pleasing and of course, the musical elements in the theme, a great synth beat, some orchestral strings accompaniment, and some slick keyboard work.
The latter half of the disc is where the true stars shine, however. “Crow Dance,” by Takahiro Eguchi, is an improvement over his “Egoblock” from NanoSweep 9. It’s another trance piece, but it is much more stylish in approve. Opening with a beautiful piano line over ethereal synth, it manages to entice the listener with its calming manner. However, it is short lived, as a heavy trance beat and the synth to match takes over for the majority of the piece. It’s an exhilarating ride, accentuated by the piano line that is introduced from time to time to repeat the melody introduced by the piano in the introduction of this theme.
When it comes to Hiroshi Okubo and Nanosweep, he can be very hit-or-miss with me; however, I think with “JUNCTION,” he managed to succeed in impressing me. Although it is, for all intents and purposes, a very simple track, I think Okubo really manages to capture that club essence with this track. The beat is intoxicating, as are the various synth and vocal samples featured in the melody line. It, to me, manages to be catchy and captivating, despite the progression of the track. For some, it might be hard to get into, especially if you aren’t into this musical style, but to me, it’s a clear winner. Okubo, you outdid yourself this time. It’s easily my favorite Nanosweep song you’ve done so far and also my favorite song on this album.
Lastly, the long awaited return of Ryo Watanabe to the Nanosweep series closes the album. “DIGNIFIED” is in the same vein as many of his other Nanosweep contributions. Although it’s not my favorite of his works, it is still quite great. I love how he manages to capture this retro essence musically. By retro, I don’t mean chiptune or PC-88, but I’m talking more popular styles of music, such as something reminiscent of something you might hear in the 1970’s. At least, to me, that’s what it sounds like. The piano, as usual with Watanabe, manages to really define the track and of course, the strings work and percussion only helps to accentuate the overall atmosphere of the track. In particular for this track though, I’d also like to point out the use of vocoder in the mix to give it an interesting interlude, despite its brevity.
Summary
In the end, the NanoSweep 10 album is a great addition to the NanoSweep family. Although it doesn’t manage to topple my favorites, the seventh and ninth albums,, it does manage to rank in the top five NanoSweep albums, for me, mainly due to the diversity on the album. From Hosoe’s crazy electronic work, Saso’s electro jazz sound, Yasui’s vocal pop ballad, Eguchi’s trance, Okubo’s house beat, or Watanabe’s more retro inspired sound, there is definitely something for everyone.
Do you agree with the review and score? Let us know in the comments below!
4.5
Posted on August 1, 2012 by Don Kotowski. Last modified on August 1, 2012.
About the Author
Don Kotowski Currently residing in Philadelphia. I spend my days working in vaccine characterization and dedicate some of my spare time in the evening to the vast world of video game music, both reviewing soundtracks as well as maintaining relationships with composers overseas in Europe and in Japan.
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