First Edition Vinyl LP is printed on Black heavyweight vinyl with poem insert. 100 copies worldwide. (Vinyl starts shipping end of July). Vinyl contains a selected tracklist.
First Edition Tape Cassette is printed on a laser etched Platinum Tape with a Silver case. 150 copies worldwide. Cassette contains the full track list.
Available to stream in Dolby Atmos on Apple Music.
Shinji Wakasa's "Dawn" is a conceptual ambient music album inspired by the ancient Chinese poem "The Fisherman" and the picture book "Dawn" by Uri Shulevitz, which uses this poem as its original title. In Shulevitz's picture book, a beautifully evolving world at daybreak is depicted with very beautiful colour usage and minimal words. Wakasa undertook the creation of this album to express the world of this picture book and the original poem through sound.
In producing the music for this album, Wakasa set a very simple rule for himself: to create in the early morning using the clear awareness of the morning, to play what he felt at that moment without denying the first sound, and to build the music like flowing clouds, a concept expressed in Japanese Zen as "flowing clouds and water."
This approach has successfully imbued the entire album with a sense of freedom and a gradation that transitions from the pitch-black sky gradually illuminated by the sun's light, turning from blue to green to yellow.
About the cover art:
The artwork for this album was produced by Wakasa's friend, graphic designer Shingo Kurono. The expression of light emerging like mist pushing up under an impressive ink-black sky is actually a photograph of the dawn ridge seen from his home, printed on Japanese washi paper and blurred with water. The artwork, matching the music, further liberates the world of DAWN.
Mastered by Gus Elg at Sky Onion Mastering.
Released June 7, 2024
Tracklist
Gradation of Dawn *
approx1.6180339887 *
Koun *
Shouyo-Yu *
Sansui-Ryoku *
Minamo *
Aware
Surface of Dawn *
Ryusui
Koe (Dawn Edit)
Rinzai
Jyakumaku
Tracks with * featured on the Vinyl LP.
Full track listing on the cassette and digital/streaming version.
"Sound of Dawn” Art Sound Installation with ambient music by Shinji Wakasa at Sony Park Mini.https://www.sonypark.com/e/mini-program/list/053/ ****Experience the immersive sound installation "Sound of Dawn" by composer/artist Shinji Wakasa at the experimental pop-up space, Sony Park Mini, from Saturday, June 15th to Sunday, June 30th, 2024. This event that offers an art sound experience in the heart of the metropolitan city of Tokyo.“As the night deepens, passing through the cosmos-like darkness, the sky awakens, giving birth to the morning.”This program is a sound installation themed the moment of "dawn," utilizing compositions from Wakasa's latest album "DAWN."To enhance the immersive experience, Sony's "Active Slate" technology is installed in the benches, paired with 12 speakers to create a three-dimensional soundscape with vibrations that match the gradations of sound. This unique dawn experience, a collaboration between Sony and the artist, can only be felt here. Why not envelop yourself in sound designed to fully enjoy ambient music.For more information, please visit our website at https://www.sonypark.com/e/mini-program/list/053/
**■What is Sony Park Mini?**Sony Park Mini, a part of the Sony Group, has been engaging in unique activities in the heart of Tokyo's Ginza district for over 50 years. Located in the underground area of Ginza Station, Sony Park Mini is a small space of approximately 30.0m² that houses a café and gallery. We have been hosting various monthly events, collaborating with carefully selected artists to showcase their exhibitions.https://www.sonypark.com/e/mini/
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 266 reviews.
I got the mystery tape box specifically the "your getting tons of tapes" tier
and it didnt disappoint at all packaged securely overdelivered in the best way in terms of content and didnt take long to get here ,it was exciting to finally see what i got, genuinely made my day when it came in the post, a massive 22 tape package and so far every tape ive listened to has been really really good! Quality all the way, and if anyone was on the fence about getting it, well dont be, go for it you wont be disappointed .
Major respect to whoever curates the box, excellent choices!!
I Usually never leave reviews of things but this was worth doing it for.
I will definitely be buying this again no doubt about it and yeah just awesome really, very happy with it :)
It took a long time to arrive ( mainly because i put the wrong address😅) but overall its an amazing track. Thanking Cory from inner Amazing website and will buy more records from here.
The vinyl itself is very beautiful, and the sound is very punchy and clear! Of course all the tracks slap hard. Really great pressing, really great album!
I discovered the Bless Vol. 1 compilation a few years ago. Some of my favorite lo-fi artists were featured on it, and last year I reached out to the label hoping to get some of their releases.
Cory got in touch with me and personally made sure the record arrived safely. It sounds incredible, and the editions are beautifully produced.
Now I'm eagerly waiting for Vol. 1
Greetings from Argentina!
Really big fan. It’s a solidly built player and I think the aux-in recording function and ability to pair Bluetooth headphones/speaker is really unique, especially on the same device. I can’t speak to the Bluetooth pairing as I haven’t tested it out. I specifically was looking for an aux-in recording cassette player and this fit the bill perfectly. I tested this function and it sounds really great without completely losing the charm of a mic recording.
It was packaged perfectly! Everything that it came in was great, too!
HOWEVER, the page for this product does have a preview of all the songs ASSUMED to come with the album. This is not the case. This album comes with everything EXCEPT: September Rain (English Version)
With the previews available, I thought it'd be there. I was apparently missinformed. That is the ONE AND ONLY issue I have with my purchase. I wish they gave you the EXACT track list on the webpage. But like I said, that'd the only issue I had. Everything else was great.
I've been looking for an original copy of this album for a while at a price and quality that I was happy with. I was thrilled to find this on your website and couldn't pass up the opportunity to support you and support my unhealthy collection.
Excellent, can not recommend highly enough. My new go-to for Japanese import vinyl. Reasonable price, fast ship time. Will definitely be telling all 1 ½ of my friends interested in vinyl about Inner Ocean.
This album is truly fantastic. I have the cassette as well, it's so dynamic and interesting to listen to on both the turntable and in my case the player with headphones! blips is also just a very talented artist and incredibly kind person, sent me a short to make up for the shipping delay with the vinyl.
I can't say enough nice things about inner ocean and the artists on here. Interesting work from very talented people, great deals on buying multiple tapes and records, professional and kind customer service, I've honestly never had a bad transaction from inner ocean and I look forward to my next purchase! Thanks all!
Legit and amazing quality!!! These are my very first two vinyl albums and I just love how these two turned out! Would definitely recommend Inner Ocean Records to those who enjoy collecting vintage Japanese albums.
Most beautiful cassettes on earth as always. Every Inner Ocean release is an instant classic and everything I’ve ever ordered (cassettes, vinyl, merch) always comes quick and very well packaged. Best record label out!
Absolutely PHENOMENAL transaction, adding a piece of Casiopea history to my collection. Shipped fast, packed well, and Always a pleasure to do business with. Not my first Inner Ocean order, and FAR from my last! Again, many thanks to the IO crew!
I’m so glad to be able to have my favorite casiopea album on vinyl and it play wonderfully. Would say it got here quickly but alas the Canadian post strike happened not too long after I ordered it. But all in all I will definitely be ordering more from here.
Favorite Miki album. The added posted was wonderful surprise. Inner Ocean Records shipping and customer support is top notch. Can’t wait for my next purchase!
This is my first entry into the Lofi Snacks series after bumbling into the Inner Ocean label on Bandcamp and looking up their website. And my, what can I say other than it has been a delight! Really fresh vibey beats that sound great digitally on on my desk cassette player. The art is also fantastic and I love the print on the cassette itself. I've had this album on repeat since it arrived Monday. Look forward to exploring more of the Inner Ocean catalogue.
One of the greatest records in my collection! There are few legendary records that scratch the sonic itch this one does. Love the addition of the obi strip. Inner Ocean delivers greatness yet again!
