Tokyo Prose
{Samurai Music / Soul:R}
Support
Drop / Rythmatix / Mohanz / DJ Bambi
$10 on the door (no presales sorry)
SUB : BASS NZ is back with a very very special guest for October: Tokyo Prose!
Sam Reed aka Tokyo Prose has established himself in the top echelon of world-wide liquid Drum & Bass producers. His tunes have found themselves into the crates of artists like Calibre, DJ Marky, Presha, London Elektricity, Lenzman, SpectraSoul, Logistics, and many more.
He was first snapped up by Samurai Music back in 2008, when Tokyo Prose were still a duo. Three years later came a breakthrough double-pack called 'Introducing Tokyo Prose', featuring standout tunes Saving Grace' and Rose Without Rain. This release gave listeners a taste of Reed's clever use of raw piano riff's and off-beat percussion which soon became his trademark.
Collaborations with Soul:R’s Phil Tangent and NZ’s Fis showcased the versatility of the Tokyo Prose sound, and after relocation to the UK signings to Hospital Records and Sun & Bass Recordings were seen as stepping stones leading to 2014's mighty debut album ‘Presence’.
‘Presence’ marked the culmination of Reed’s musical exploration and evolution up until that point - encapsulating the soulful, emotive vibrancy of the Tokyo Prose sound, now fully formed and refined.
It is as complete of a Drum & Bass album as you will find; varying BPM's and featuring artists throughout - every track leading into the next with pin-point precision. Clever introductions of celebrated vocalists DRS, Riya and Fox, with collaborators including Lenzman, Synkro and LSB push Reed's variation whilst keeping a polished aesthetic with a firm focus on musicality and groove.
Stand-out's are hard to pick; but for a snapshot of the quality of the album, 'All Things', 'Common Ground', 'Fragmented You', 'Ventura' and 'Won't Let Me Go' are essential.
Reed's stint living and DJing in the UK took his career to a new level. He returned home to New Zealand half way through 2015, allowing him to further focus on his music. The end of last year was a busy one; starting off with another release on Samurai Red Seal called the 'Dawn Chorus EP' - 4 varied, blissful tracks pressed on a stunning gold 12 record. Intimacy' has the haunting lyrics think about the music - think about the way it's making you feel, which sums up Reed's emotional connection with his tracks.
Soon after saw his first feature on Marcus Intalex's hugely respected label SOUL:R ('Tell Me', on the 5th edition of the popular FOUR:FIT series) alongside other stars of the lighter side of the genre LSB and FD. That was followed by a couple of tunes on another established label, BCee's Spearhead Records; again working with LSB on his 'About Tonight EP' ('It Finds You') and a remix of the label owners own 'The River Runs Dry'.
For his latest venture he had the honour of helping launch Hybrid Minds new self-titled label; with a Tokyo Prose remix of the vocal anthem 'Touch' (featuring Tiffani Juno) starring on the flip.
Between his recent steady stream of music releases, Reed has been a regular on the Auckland DJ circuit - even taking time out to headline an event in Tokyo in last December (alongside Makoto).
Fresh off an Australian tour, Tokyo Prose will be armed to the teeth with fresh music from the best in the business. This event looks to build on last June's successful return to Wellington, and bring the liquid back to the capital city with soulful glide.
