In last month’s column, I mentioned the DJ party held on 27th April at Cafe Apres-midi. The event brought together the editor and artwork production team of this series, their friends, and even the staff of “Global Ride,” including designers and translators. The atmosphere was filled by good vibes with an array of fantastic music, and it was genuinely a delightful and lively gathering. During the event, our mutual friend and interior designer, Takashi Kobayashi, who runs the architectural firm ima, was spinning records. This month, I’d like to introduce a favourite song of mine that I remembered, “Ah, this one had a bicycle cover too!”
They are acclaimed as the best live band in America today, with a soulful sound that combines jazz, funk, hip-hop, rock, and gospel grooves. Tank and the Bangas shine as a prominent symbol of the current New Orleans scene. At the heart of the group is the sole female member, singer and poetry reader Tarriona “Tank” Ball, who is also highly active in guest performances with numerous artists, including Moonchild. In 2019, Tank and the Bangas released their major debut album, ‘Green Balloon,’ produced by the likes of Robert Glasper. The album features a beautifully designed cover with a monochrome photo adorned with a green balloon, making it a beloved favourite of mine. Among its tracks, “Smoke.Netflix.Chill.” stands out as an exceptional favourite tune of mine.
As you might gather from the title, the lyrics are incredibly charming and perfectly suited to the current era. At that DJ party, I couldn’t help but sing along with my friends during the chorus, where the title phrase is repeated. Tank and the Bangas’ works are rich in variety, fun, bright, and refreshing, making them captivating as a fantastical vocal album.
Incidentally, their second album, released in 2022, is titled ‘Red Balloon.’ One of the tracks, “Cafe Du Monde,” was a heavy play in my DJ sets. It’s a sophisticated number produced by Peter Cottontale of Chicago’s The Social Experiment, whom I adore. Cafe Du Monde is an open-air coffee stand in New Orleans, famous for its beignets and chicory coffee, and well-known as a tourist attraction.
Toru Hashimoto (SUBURBIA) Editor / Music Selector / DJ / Producer. Founder of Suburbia Factory. Owner of Shibuya’s “Cafe Apres-midi” and “Apres-midi Selecao.” Over 350 compilation CDs, including series like ‘Free Soul,’ ‘Mellow Beats,’ ‘Cafe Apres-midi,’ ‘Jazz Supreme,’ ‘Music With A View,’ and many others, have been curated, making him the world’s foremost selector. He oversees and produces music broadcast channels “usen for Cafe Apres-midi” and “usen for Free Soul” on USEN, wielding significant influence in Japanese music scene since the 1990s. In recent years, his ‘Good Mellows’ series with a focus on mellow chillout has gained great popularity both domestically and internationally.
