ASO, AI - Aida

Document of a live show by the most gorgeously acid folk-esque of Japans female singer-songwriters. A piece of dazed, limpid dream-beauty, with a tremulous, wavering intensity all its own. Since recording her first demo cassette in 1997, Ai Aso has released two full studio albums. She has connections with the cream of the Tokyo psychedelic underground -- You Ishihara (of White Heaven and The Stars) produced her albums; Michio Kurihara, Wata (of Boris), and Chiyo Kamekawa (of The Stars and Yura Yura Teikoku) have played on them. Includes a guest appearance by Go Hirano on piano. Six tracks, thirty-six minutes. Booklet includes lyrics and liner-notes in English and Japanese. - Alan Cummings.