[LEET 004] Akiko Kiyama – Where Are My Shoes? EP


New black gold is on the way! 31337 Records’ first vinyl for this year, the ‘Where Are My Shoes?’ EP by Japan’s minimal techno queen Akiko Kiyama, including a fantastic remix by Mr. Bruno Pronsato. An outstanding release full of abstract minimal techno goodies ready to hit the clubs. Punchy bass lines on top of rhythmic percussions, exposing a twisted dark tale on the hunt for lost shoes. 

Akiko Kiyama has been a prominent figure in the minimal techno scene since she first started producing in 2004. She is the first female minimal techno producer to have come out of Japan. Her previous works received outstanding support from the industry and names such as Richie Hawtin, Sven Väth and Ricardo Villalobos. Inspired by such an overwhelming debut Akiko went straight back into the studio. Her sound consists of complex sound patterns that are often raw, industrial, dark and moody.

The EP starts off with ‘Anaesthesulf’, a well arranged DJ tool, repetitive but complex. Well structured patterns surrounded by lots of hats, percussions and playful melodies. Followed by the second track called ‘We Are Tubes Inner Tubes’, a real dancefloor killer for the early morning hours. Trippy percussions, seemingly foreign vocals by Lisokot and twisted sample cuts topped with well selected effects give this tune the perfect shape. The B side continues with ‘Gavotte II’, a dark and pounding track with lots of variation and freaky sounds emerging seamlessly from the background. Mysterious melodies, a bouncy snare and occasional vocal cuts perfectly aligned in front of a pumping bassline. The last track is a remix of ‘Gavotte II’ by Bruno Pronsato who introduces a lot of melodic bits and samples, turning the track into a new interesting direction. Fancier of his work, will instantly notice the usual Pronsato style. Creatively built sound structures, cleverly arranged with a variety of new elements and headed by a funky beat.

On the digital release, we’ve included a bonus track named ‘Take Your Skeleton In The Closet’ that didn’t fit on the vinyl. Another well built production with an mysteriously obscure melody emerging between a rolling beat, full of interesting elements and layers that keep moving and somehow remind of ancient times. The whole release is an impressive and very well arranged piece of art that shouldn’t be missing in any DJ bag! From Berlin to Tokyo – see you barefeet on the dancefloor!

[1337-023] 0x7f – As The World Burns We Watch TV.. EP


The year starts off with a new release straight from the 31337 management! Label head Stefan Klaas aka 0x7f presents his EP ‘As The World Burns We Watch TV’, a classy selection of tracks filled with ambience and mixed with a bit of tech-house and dub. 0x7f doesn’t follow any standards or trends and has a distinct feel for deep melodic tunes with lots of clicks and field recordings wrapped into complex minimalistic sound structures. 

While the title shows a critical view on parts of todays society, the EP doesn’t reflect negative thoughts and simply invites the listener to let the mind wander and thoughts flow. Along the 3 original tracks there are 3 fabulous remixes by Akiko Kiyama, Ditch and Sil from the Easy Changes duo. Akiko delivers a wonderfully unique remix of

‘Surface’ that brings in some fresh elements and turns the track around into a new and interestingly mysterious direction. A well structured flow with lots of true minimalism, carefully chosen patterns and straight to the point. Ditch presents a very creative, dark interpretation of ‘Virtualized’, filled with samples that leave some kind of industrial impression. A pounding beat that slowly comes out of the shadows, surrounded by a field of percussions and well selected cuts. Sil pushed the boundaries and made a remix aimed at the dancefloor. Well arranged and cut up percussions emerging between twisted samples and melodic bits and pieces that turn the original track upside down and inside out. Of course with the typical Easy Changes style.