Description
90年代東京のエレクトロニック・アンダーグラウンドの原点、1997年の先鋭的コンピレーションが初ヴァイナル化
『Landform Code』や『Remnants』を残したVirgoをはじめ、90年代東京の地下シーンを築いた先鋭的なアーティストたちが集結し、IDMやテクノ、アンビエントを提示した1997年の重要コンピレーション。
東京のカルトレーベルFORM@ RECORDSが1997年にCDのみで発表した名盤『Art Form I』が、スイスのWRWTFWW Recordsとの共同アーカイブ企画として初のヴァイナル復刻。
Warpの『Artificial Intelligence』シリーズやB12、The Black Dog、Ken Ishii、初期Carl Craigらの探求に通じるエモーショナルなマシン・ミュージックの美学を脈打たせつつ、緻密なリズム構造やアシッド、アンビエントの質感を独自に構築。レーベルの根幹をなす温かな質感と先進的な電子音響が詰まった音源をレーベルの保管庫から発掘し、限定2枚組LP仕様の厚手ジャケットで収めた記念碑的作品。
A1. Mag-Net-Walker - Rover
A2. Tensor - Gently Drifting
A3. Minerva - Dreamers Notion
B1. Souther - Jupiter
B2. Dendrobium - Ethereal
B3. Mag-Net-Walker - Slope
C1. Virgo - First Epilogue
C2. Micro Wave Assessment Chisei - Film
D1. Led-M - Sweet Memories
D2. Penance - Marine Snow
WRWTFWW Records is delighted to announce the first-ever vinyl release of Art Form I, the overlooked 1997 compilation from Tokyo’s cult imprint FORM@ RECORDS, now available as a limited edition double LP housed in a heavyweight sleeve as part of the ongoing collaborative series between the Swiss and Japanese labels.
Originally issued only on CD, Art Form I is a fascinating deep dive into the rich and singular world of late ’90s Tokyo electronic music—an inspired collection of timeless IDM, techno, ambient, and electronica experiments. Showcasing a roster of visionary underground artists including fan-favorite Virgo (Landform Code, Remnants), the compilation maps the innovative spirit of the era: emotional machine music, intricate rhythmic architecture, mind-expanding textures, and the soulful heart that serves as the solid foundation of everything FORM@ RECORDS.
Art Form I reminds of the pioneering explorations from Warp’s Artificial Intelligence series, B12, The Black Dog, Ken Ishii, and early Carl Craig, all while maintaining its own distinctive local identity. This long-awaited vinyl edition offers listeners a fully immersive rediscovery of a pivotal moment in underground music.
Following the acclaimed reissues of Virgo’s Landform Code (1998) and Remnants (1999), the simultaneous releases of Art Form I and Art Form 2 (1998) continue the archival collaboration between WRWTFWW Records and FORM@ RECORDS, with a forthcoming vinyl edition of remix collection Re-Form Ver-1.0 (1999) to follow.
Points of interest
• For fans of Warp’s Artificial Intelligence series, Virgo, Ken Ishii, Carl Craig, B12, The Black Dog, deep electronic music, experimental soundscapes, time-capsule compilations, and late ’90s machine soul.
• First ever vinyl release of the cult Japanese electronic compilation Art Form I (1997), resurrected from the vaults of FORM@ RECORDS.
• A captivating snapshot of Japanese electronic underground: IDM, techno, ambient, acid—forward-thinking, emotional, and timeless.
• From the WRWTFWW x FORM@ archival series.
