A One-Hour Sound Journey Through Japan, the UK, France, Russia, and Cuba

From a remix of Alexander Vertinsky, the Russian poet and composer active in the 1930s-50s, to a 1962 masterpiece by Serge Gainsbourg sung by Juliette Greco; from a gem of Japanese rare groove by Monsieur Kamayatsu, born from a casual session with Tower of Power; and two tracks from an upcoming remix album, scheduled for June release, produced by DJ Gilles Peterson, who will soon visit Japan, are aired in advance.

REVIEW｜TRACK LIST

01. Daedelus / Fin De SieCle (Brainfeeder)
02. Yoshinori Sunahara / My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose (SME)
03. Juliette Greco / La Javanaise (Universal)
04. Margareta Bengtson / Speak Low (Spice of Life)
05. Bibi Tanga & The Selenites / Gospel Singers (Nat Geo Music)
06. American Gypsy / Golden Ring (RCA)
07. Hiroshi Kamayatsu / I've Smoked Gauloises (EMI)
08. Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura Band / Lagrimas de Soledad (No Existen Palabras) - Mocky Remix
(Brownswood test)
09. Omar / YourMess_Show-B Remix (CDR)
10. Satoshi Tomiie Mes / Back To Basics (Strir 15)
11. Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura Band / Rezando - Michel Cleis Remix (Brownswood test)
12. Cosmos Sound Club / Molis' Kunak (Menu)

DJ Gilles Peterson Visits Japan from London! impro 5 @ Nishi-Azabu eleven!

REVIEW｜PICK UP TOPICS 1
The party "impro," which DJ Toshio Matsuura started at Yellow in Nishi-Azabu in March 2008, returns to Nishi-Azabu after two years. This event, held shortly after eleven's opening, will feature Gilles Peterson as a guest for the release party of four compilation albums released this spring: "Best of Talkin Loud," "Talkin Loud 2010," "Everyday Blue Note," and "Brownswood Bubblers 5." His performance, which has created legendary nights countless times, is a must-hear. Expectations are naturally high for the "improvised" sets by the almost fixed regular members and the visual works.

REVIEW｜PICK UP TOPICS 1

A Major Change in Tokyo's Traffic Conditions? The Opening of the Shuto Expressway Central Circular Route's Yamate Tunnel

For drivers in Tokyo, the Shuto Expressway is an essential part of daily life. A massive project planned to alleviate the chronic traffic congestion in the city center, which has persisted for many years, has finally been realized with the opening of the Shibuya Line to Shinjuku Line, following the opening of the Ikebukuro Line to Shinjuku Line in 2007. Therefore, in this topic, we will focus on this expressway. Prior to this opening, I, Toshio Matsuura, participated in a preview tour of the landmark Oohashi Junction.



The preview tour, held at the beginning of March amidst cold, drizzling rain, was a great success with many members of the public in attendance. This Oohashi Junction is said to be about the same size as the National Stadium. Since it's usually impossible to walk on an expressway, the excitement of the attendees, including myself, was quite high. The event, with its handmade feel, including an overview of the project, an exhibition of vehicles involved in expressway construction, and a concert by a local elementary school orchestra, was very appealing. The demonstration of the water cannon, presumably for road fires, was unusually exciting. It was a fun event that made me look forward to actually driving through this area after its opening.



Also, before the opening, we asked Katsuyuki Iketani, a public relations officer for the Shuto Expressway, various questions, such as the details of the project and how traffic conditions would specifically change.

The Shuto Expressway Central Circular Route is being opened in stages, but what was the reason for starting this construction project in the first place?

The Shuto Expressway was originally planned to alleviate traffic congestion in Tokyo during the period of high economic growth. Initially, the focus was on the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Loop and radial roads such as the Tomei, Chuo, Tohoku, and Joban Expressways. However, this alone would concentrate traffic in the city center, leading to congestion. Therefore, the Central Circular Route was developed to connect the radial roads, facilitating detours and traffic dispersal. With the opening of the 4.3 km section of the Yamate Tunnel between Shibuya (Route 3) and Shinjuku (Route 4) on March 28 (Sunday), approximately 80% of the entire 47 km Central Circular Route will be completed. After half a century since its conception, this opening is deeply moving.



This route connects to the Chuo and Tomei Expressways, but won't the Central Circular Route become more congested?

It's difficult to say definitively as traffic conditions vary by day, but it is possible that speed reductions may occur. However, previously, vehicles from the Tomei direction had no choice but to use the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Loop. With the Central Circular Route, appropriate traffic dispersal will be achieved, and congestion on the entire Shuto Expressway is expected to decrease by about 30%.



Shuto Expressway Central Circular Route
www.c2info.jp