Haruomi Hosono, Rei Harakami, and Sam Gendel: A Cross-Generational Sonic Dialogue

The Home Recording Inspirations Uniting Haruomi Hosono, Rei Harakami, and Sam Gendel

On the Japanese LP edition of HOSONO HOUSE COVERS, Sam Gendel’s cover of “Koi wa Momoiro” and Rei Harakami’s “Owari no Kisetsu” are featured as the first and second tracks on side B. When played consecutively, they create a seamless soundscape. Similarities can be heard in aspects such as the texture of the sound, use of space, restrained vocals, and fluctuating rhythms.

However, it can ultimately be said that HOSONO HOUSE already contained these elements. In a sense, Rei Harakami and Sam Gendel rediscovered the connection between HOSONO HOUSE and Mercuric Dance.

In an interview, Iasos, the New Age pioneer behind the Celestial Soul Portrait anthology (2013), curated by Carlos Niño, shared the following insight.

Basically, each musician puts out where he’s at… In other words, a musician is a merchant. He’s not selling music, he’s selling emotions served on a platter of sound. In my case I’m a merchant selling ecstatic emotions served through sound.

From “Interview: Iasos James Pants talks to the New Age pioneer” Red Bull Music Academy Daily (opens an external site)

This sentiment might remind one of Brian Eno, yet it’s the New Age Revival that gently steered the genre back to its emotional roots, after it had become associated with cheap, calming tunes.

Returning to the concept of home recording, whether it’s Haruomi Hosono or Keith Jarrett, those who grasp the unique value of what only home recording can offer have left behind unguarded, imperfect tapes that continue to spark inspiration. These recordings embody a different kind of authenticity in sound art, which also subtly emerges in the covers by Ray Harakami and Sam Gendel, each in their own way.

HOSONO HOUSE COVERS

Release Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Price: ¥5,500 (tax included)
Catalog Number: HHKB-001

[SIDE A]

1. Aiaigasa / TOWA TEI
2. Fuku wa Uchi Oni wa Soto / John Carroll Kirby feat. The Mizuhara Sisters
3. Jūsho Futei Mushoku Tei Shū / mei ehara
4. CHOO CHOO Gatagoto / Kukuku (Ikuko Harada & Manami Kakudo)
5. Fuyugoe / Yūma Abe
6. Boku wa Chotto / Mac DeMarco

[SIDE B]

1. Koi wa Momoiro / Sam Gendel
2. Owari no Kisetsu / rei harakami
3. Bara to Yajū / Cornelius
4. Party / SE SO NEON
5. Rokka Bai Mai Beibii / Akiko Yano

[Link to the album]
https://hosonohouse.lnk.to/COVERS
https://hosonohouse-cover.com/