A long-standing figure within Tokyo’s fruitful electronic music scene, DJ and producer Satoshi Fumi continues to impress as an artist who traverses genres with ease. With releases via Mood Music, Get Physical and Yoshitoshi, his unique take on deep house, techno and acid and more combines influences from early 80s electronica and 90s house to showcase a smooth and effortless take on contemporary music. Having first appeared on John Digweed’s Bedrock imprint in early 2020, the New Year welcomes the arrival of his expansive eleven-track LP ‘Mysterious Phenomenon’ – exploring a deeper and more intricate side of his wide-reaching sound palette.

“The mysterious phenomena are hiding in our lives. Please feel every moment carefully. We can find it.” – Satoshi Fumi

‘Bamboo Forest’ and ‘A Ridge Of A Mountain’ opens proceedings via two luscious, slow-blooming journeys through gentle ambient soundscapes, taking in traditional and modern influences to set the tone and ease listeners in. Tracks such as ‘Dawn And The Moon’, ‘Star Gazer’ and ‘Reflection On The Water’ welcome deeper tones, sweeping melodies and subtle strings, contrasted against the eerie electronics of ‘Gentle Flame’. ‘Field Flowers’ and ‘Air Castle’ draw from a more organic and earthy foundation to showcase blissful arrangements as the LP flows fluently into its second half. ‘Out To Sea’ and ‘A Ray Of Sunshine’ bounce off one another as hazy, delicate leads meet sharp keys and rich chords, before closing via the resonant and cinematic tones of ‘Drop Of Rain’.

You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Air Castle’ exclusively on When We Dip while reading the great interview we had with Satoshi. Enjoy!

WWD: Welcome back to When We Dip, Satoshi. We’ve been looking forward to chatting with you about your new LP on Bedrock dubbed ‘Mysterious Phenomenon’. Can you tell us about the name?

I think the LP title ‘Mysterious Phenomenon’ isn’t too special. However, if you try listening, watching and feeling you can understand sensitivity. You can find beautiful things in amongst your usual everyday life.

WWD: This marks your return to John Digweed’s Bedrock after your previous ‘Nu Era’ EP on the label earlier this year, how did you first get involved with Bedrock? And are you excited to make your return?

I remember John played one of my tracks on his ‘Transitions’ radio show about five years ago. After that we connected and began to work together. I’m always excited working with John and Bedrock every single time.

WWD: You are sharing the Quattro Artists release with three other long players produced by Quivver, Captain Mustache and Lopezhouse respectively. How does it feel to be included into this line-up and be asked to be part of such a big project? Has this been in the works for a long time?

In the middle of 2020 the label asked me about if I’d be interested in making an electronica album. I started produce this album soon after and I’m very proud of the project and the final outcome.

WWD: ‘Mysterious Phenomenon’ sounds a little different to your previous work. Besides 80’s and 90’s electronica, we notice many modern influences as well – can you cite some inspirations and influences for the LP?

When I was young, I was influenced by many different kinds of music. From genres such as New Wave, Shoegazer, Ambient through to Minimal and Contemporary music. I try to explore and make all kinds of music, and this latest album is just one example of that.

WWD: Each track on your LP seems to take its name from nature and the elements, is there a story behind this? Is there anything in your day to day life that particularly inspired this project and its titles?

I think we can find those special moments in amongst our usual everyday life. This album explores those moments.

WWD: Can you share something about your production process? What equipment and techniques were instrumental in creating this LP?

I use many VSTs, but mainly emulations of synths and equipments such as Monopoly, Prophet 5, Mini Moog, and Juno 106.

WWD: You boast an incredible discography on multiple internationally renowned labels, but you also run your own imprint Sequent:Recordings. Is this meant to be an outlet for your own music or are there other plans for it?

Sequent:Recordings is very personal label, and for that reason it will be an imprint that only releases my own tracks.

WWD: What’s the current electronic music scene like in Tokyo? Are there any emerging talents we should be keeping a close eye and ear on?

There are many really talented producers in Japan, not only in Tokyo. Artists such as M-Scape and House Violence are both very talented.

WWD: You are a notable figure in the Japanese deep house scene. What’s it like seeing your music reach more and more audiences around the globe? Are there any plans to play overseas again in 2022?

I try to find new sounds by myself every time, and to create music to share with others. I hope you enjoy it and that people across the world do too. I believe I will restart gigs in 2022, so hopefully I’ll be able to play overseas again soon.

WWD: Speaking of 2022, is there anything from you we can look forward to in the new year that you are able to share?

I will release quality music on quality labels. Please keep checking my activities to see where my next releases will be.

Release Date: December 17th, 2021. Buy Here

Follow: Satoshi Fumi // Bedrock