Jack or Jive - Kenka

From what I can make out, Jack or Jive are a Japanese ethereal act who have been recording since 1991. Prikosnovnie have remixed their fourth CD, originally released in 1996, and added a few more tracks. Kenka is the result. It is an exquisite release indeed, beautiful in parts, harrowing in others. Mellow piano based music with some strange Liz Frazer type vocals, with a few samples and percussion thrown in, creating an eerie soundscape where dark ambient and neo-classical meet. Very impressive. Excellent, in fact. For more information go to www.jackorjive.com or www.prikosnovenie.com (review by Mike Shankland)