- After waiting 18 months for a new Takuya Matsumoto EP, two come along in a week. The Japanese producer's release schedule has always been unpredictable—his first three records came out over a leisurely nine years—but Assembly appearing on Meda Fury four days after Places Of Colours hit Fina was a total surprise. And yet Matsumoto's thoughtful, twinkling house sound isn't much changed.
"Be" and "Trash Track" are Assembly's top moments, existing, like a lot of Matsumoto's work, at the relaxed, jazzy end of classic house. The former is unmistakably Andrés-esque, with its warm bass and big Rhodes driving the groove. "Trash Track"'s rubberised bassline makes it a punchier selection, though the symphonic touches and sighing vocals keep it sociable.
"On The March" and "Rain Flower" reference Matsumoto's homeland to varying degrees. "On The March" adds music-box chimes and bird chirrups to another paisley-hued jazz-house background, while "Rain Flower" is a simple and very pretty cascade of steel drums. The dewy-eyed "An Oriental Tale" just about steals the show with a downtempo, stripped-back take on Assembly's exotic sounds. "Vanishing In The Sand" has a robotic bass croak and vocal shards that work well enough, but the record is stronger without including the digital exclusive.
TracklistA1 Be
A2 On The March
B1 Rain Flower
B2 Trash Track
B3 An Oriental Tale
Digital Only: Vanishing In The Sand