Shiokaze by Naoki Kenji

Almost three years after the release of his last album „Less Ordinary“, Naoki Kenji is back with „Shiokaze“ under his own label 4mpo. Once more musically moulted, Kenjis club sound muscles become more audible again in some of the 13 tracks. Already the intro song „Ki ite Mite“ is a perfect example of electro house with its modern minimal character, skilfully shuffled and kissed by a sexy hook line. „Kitai Sasete“ and „Nana Umi“ bring in a brilliant, groove-hypnotic summer feel.
However, with songs like „UMI Prelude“ or „Stratos 57“ Naoki also turns back towards those abstract melodic soundscape that have built his reputation as an exceptional artist of the chill out cosmos at the beginning of the millennium.

Kenji’s skills really come into bloom whenever he combines house with jazzy tunes, dissolving in an ambient sound and crowned by the gorgeous vocals of newcomer Shizu. Songs like „Hoshi“, „Umi No Oto“ or „Por Ti“ therefore are undoubtedly some of the highlights of the new album since it is not least Shizu’s exotic Japanese vocals that virtuously forge the bridge between east and west.

naokikenji.com