What does Takahiro Kido, Yuki Murata, Kenji Azuma sound like?

Harmonic and melodic earthy and glassy ambient tones to calm the soul.

The review of ‘Memories of the Stone’ by Takahiro Kido, Yuki Murata, Kenji Azuma

Ricco Label is one of Bandcamp’s finest ambient corners. Its output is largely made up of several musicians who play in the band Anoice, with other guest musicians releasing music too. Almost everything sits somewhere between nature field recordings, ambient synths, solo piano albums or instrumental chamber pop. For this release, two members of Anoice (Takahiro Kido and Yuki Murata) join ambient artist Kenji Azuma. Kenji specialises in unusual or bespoke instruments. The result is something quite wholesome and nourishing.

Memories of the Stone cover art showing wolf paintings on a cave wall. — Memories of the Stone cover art

The EP’s concept is about exploring caves and caverns. The opening track ‘into the cave’ brings us a cascading waterfall, crunchy footsteps and a cavernous reverb that sets the scene. A singing bowl and harmonic pipe duet a slow hum whilst various tuned percussion glistens hues of melodies in the wind and water. The concept is extended further through the six-and-a-half minute ‘lure’. Now bat sounds squeak and fly around us as we venture deeper. The echo is louder – almost like an ambient shoegaze – as the sounds reflect off the cave walls. All three musicians are playing with stone too, creating odd percussive trickles and stretches. It sounds like Mother Nature’s spine is twisting and turning.

Many sounds came from a stone that the trio mined themselves – called Sanukitoids. These stones are high-Mg granitoid and they are quite rare in Japan. The stone was recorded in the forest so the concept of generational memories and ancient stories being held in these stones is the central theme to the record. The stones take centre stage for ‘dance on the wall’ – a rhythmic, ancient track that Dead Can Dance fans or fans of South American traditional music will adore. The stones bring along forest sounds into the mix and various other world drums are used too, including a cajon. Marimba, glockenspiel, handpan and xylophone bring a serene melody to create a graceful overtone to the track too. Slowly the drums fade away leaving cave noises and piano reverb behind – as if the piano is the imprint of memories left behind and being absorbed into the cavern walls. It is an incredibly poetic 8-minute journey.

The final track is ‘out of dream’. This is a tonal piece using the singing bowl, organ, piano and cave ambience to create a numbing sensation. It could be used for meditation because of how soft and pillowy each note is recorded. The first five minutes of the track are a warming ambient glow before the final two minutes switch gears to wading water and puddle sounds as the music switches to distant reverbs. It is as if we’ve returned back to the cave after experiencing ancient memories.

Fans of ambient sound art will love this release because it is so immersive to listen to. The work Takahiro Kido, Yuki Murata and Kenji Azuma have done particularly with the reverb and tone smudging is phenomenal. It truly sounds like you are moving through a cave system. I find ‘Memories of the Stone’ relaxing and rejuvenating to listen to. Each time it ends I have a bit more vigour about me and feel dewy and cleansed too. Ricco Label often creates music that balms the soul and this EP is a fantastic example of that mentality. This is a perfect winter release too. Enjoy!

Recommended track: dance on the wall

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