I love Japan. I'm fascinated by absolutely everything. The culture, the architecture, the writing, the food, the cities and all the little differences. So it's no wonder that I just need to hear any Japanese influence in music and my attention is taken care of.

Dream Dolphin is the musical project of Japanese artist Noriko, who has released an incredible twenty albums in just eight years. But she has also put together a number of exceptional compilations, and this track is on one of them.

It was released on the popular Dutch label Music From Memory and presents the period of the turn of the millennium from 1996-2003.

What I like about this track is its gradual opening. Similar to a Japanese sakura blossom, where gradually more sounds are layered until the last stage of bloom comes. This is taken care of by the rhythmically repeating cymbal along with the emerging beat.

Japan in the palm of your hand.

MG