Cacoy - Human Is Music

Our review
Customer reviews
Press release

4...according to our Phil on Wed 22 Nov, 2006.

Did you know that Efterklang have their own label called Rumraket which is Danish for space rocket? Hell I didn't know that til just 5 minutes ago. In my excitement I just had to tell someone... the wife wouldn't be interested in the slightest so you get the brunt of my knowledge. Anyway new in on Rumraket is a CD by Cacoy who are a Japanese supergroup featuring folks from Tenniscoats, Maher Shalal Hash Baz and some turntablist guy called DJ Klock. This is pretty cool indeed and it's like a less jazzy Japanese Stereolab. The first time I heard this I warmed to it and I'm pleased it's finally out cos I can take this promo copy home and give it a good spin!

Efterklang, and their record label Rumraket, are not afraid of describing this sparkling Japanese pop beauty as a hidden masterpiece. It was originally released in Japan in 2003, but until now lived a very quiet life. A year ago they stumbled across the album, and since then it's been one of their absolute favorites. It’s a rare unique album that deserves your total attention and devotion.

How did it all happen? On invitation from DJ Klock the two unconventional pop wonders Saya and Ueno, from Tenniscoats and Maher Shalal Hash Baz, teamed up with Klock in 2003 and formed Cacoy, a true Japanese all-star band. After testing their united skills and possibilities on two limited EPs they made this wonderful album of hip-hop, electronica and strange pop music.

It features flawless, too good to be true, beats made on turntables and computers by the wiz DJ Klock plus layers of childish yet extremely beautiful melodies played on organ, guitar, saxophone and Saya's characteristic singing. It takes you from processed sounds and cut-up guitar pieces, to almost trippy underwater hip-hop played with found sounds in a melodic, organic and highly personal way.

This is the kind of album that can make you cry and dance at the same time.

Musique Machine (UK): 4 out of 5... "fans of Mum, Aphex Twin and other electronica licked by organic warmth, need to pick this up. Or anyone who is looking for inventive music"

DeBug Magazine: "Eine Killer CD … Sehr Schön" *****

Gravitygirl (UK): "Cacoy's excursions into electronic sounds are careful concoctions of the abstract and the tuneful ... music that could, if given the opportunity, endear them to a sizeable smattering of underground hipsters the globe over"

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