Emerson Kitamura – The Countryside Is Great

Veteran Japanese keyboardist and organ master Emerson Kitamura delivers four diverse tracks for EM Records in support of Katsuya Tomita’s 2016 film Bangkok Nites. While the entire EP is great (no pun intended), the cut here is certainly Kitamura and singer mmm’s breathtakingly original mellow synth-pop rendition of George McCrae’s early disco classic “Rock Your Baby.” An incredibly addictive tune, the track has, according to YouTube comments, even been played in Starbucks locations, which, while a slightly unfortunate setting, goes to show the wide appeal of Kitamura’s delicate melodies and warm basslines.

Recommended – B1 Rock Your Baby