Over the next two weeks, club events in Japan will see British underground legends The Unabombers and dubstep's newest prince, Benga, touring Japan.
While the sound of Manchester is generally considered to be indie, since 1995 The Unabombers — Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford — have made sure that electronica, Northern soul, funk, house and techno have had a home in the city through their Electric Chair nights. Last year, the duo released their first album, "Red Light Don't Stop," under the pseudonym The Elektrons, and they will be in Japan to promote the record.
The album certainly doesn't break new ground, sticking to the format of the traditional British house record pioneered by the likes of Basement Jaxx and Mutiny — featuring house with influences from the other staples of British club music, R&B, hip-hop and garage.
The duo, however, argue that the disc will "still sound fresh when all this New Rave b**llocks is long forgotten."
Live, The Elektrons bring 13 years of experience as resident DJs at Manchester's biggest underground dance event, and will likely play sets that are among the highlights of Japan's clubbing calendar this year.
Meanwhile, since the release of his debut album "Diary of an Afro Warrior," 20-year-old DJ and producer Benga has established himself, alongside Skream and Burial, as one of the biggest names in dubstep. His sets, which move between a downbeat, bass-heavy sound and some of the most uplifting beats in dubstep, guarantee his sets will be played to full houses.
The Elektrons play at Triangle in Osaka on Friday, at Add in Sendai on Saturday, at Air in Tokyo on April 25, at Magenta in Fukuoka on April 26 and at Loop in Tokyo on April 29. Benga plays at Drum and Bass Sessions at Air in Tokyo on Saturday and at Mago in Nagoya on Sunday.
