Isao Tomita: Arabesque No. 1

84-year-old composer and synth soothsayer Isao Tomita passed away this weekend in Tokyo. He introduced the near-infinite possibilities of a relatively new invention, the Moog modular synthesizer to Japan—approaching the instrument like an orchestra that could express sounds and “colors” never heard before, and evoke sensual qualities. Especially loved was his 1974 album Snowflakes Are Dancing (with the impressive subtitle: Virtuoso Electronic Performances of Debussy’s …

James Blake: My Willing Heart

Pulling a Beyoncé? James Blake takes cue from his collaborator (having worked on two songs on Lemonade) and surprise drops The Colour in Anything. The 17-track album comes out of Blake, interestingly, opening himself up to collaboration as well. He calls Frank Ocean “a huge inspiration for this record” in a Pitchfork interview, and also works with Bon Iver, Connan Mockasin and Rick Rubin. The …

Janet Jackson: Dammn Baby

Truly one of the best in the world, Janet Jackson has been blessing us with music since the early ’80s and isn’t showing any signs she’s slowing down (despite apparently halting the second leg of the “Unbreakable” world tour to start a family). Today she released the video for “Dammn Baby” and it’s classic Janet: all black and white, sharp choreography (with plenty of hair-flips), …