Tomoroh Hidari :: 小さな夢達 (Mahorka)

The recordings sound very well crafted, warm and full of detail that really fills these pieces, making for some spectacular works of art. The album cover itself is a work of outstanding beauty. I’d love a canvas of it.

Little vignettes, dealing with Zen and Samurai philosophy

Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today. I try not to put things off. But I don’t always succeed. Mahorka must be living by this rule with their growing and quality output. The latest being Tomoroh Hidari (左トモロ). The electronic music producer from Austria has seen releases on Ivory Bunker, Isolate, and Record Label Records.

Tomoroh Hidari’s new album entitled 小さな夢達 (Chiisana Yumetachi)—translates as “Small Dreams.” His artist roster on the Mahorka website tells us that it is about being in the zen of the moment and mindful that the future doesn’t really exist. It is forever being kicked in the ass by the present. All we truly have is the present moment. So, I’ll spend my present moment writing this review for the music of Tomoroh Hidari, who made the music during some of his once present moments.

The music is varied, starting with a foggy atmospheric mood. The sound of a train cruising through what could be ram packed or deserted and lonely cities. The opener, “Sword of No-Sword” sounds equally unnerving as it does relaxing. Its tempo and rhythm suit perfectly to the rhythmic breathing reflex of the diaphragm. A sound runs through this piece that matches the bellowing rise and fall of my laptop as I listen and write these words.

Lushes pads come and go like a waterfall driving the mechanism of a waterwheel. From then on in the beauty starts. Utter tranquility.

I’ve become aware of breathing techniques in recent months and how simple deep breaths can alter your state of mind. I was aware that I was shallow breathing, in a state of fear. It’s become a great help to me that one has the facilities to just breath and let go of ones thoughts. Before we react to anything, it’s probably a good idea just to take a few breaths first. Tomoroh Hidari describes these songs as “little vignettes, dealing with Zen and Samurai philosophy.” A practice that makes real sense in these strange dark times.

Track 2 “空” (meaning: emptiness) is another one to lose yourself in. The slow and solid structure of the beat and acidic bass trap you in the groove. It’s a baseline that guides you and keeps you grounded. Yet in all directions, sounds and distractions come at you like an attempted attack from a samurai warrior. Scintillating shurikens might be a threat, but this soothing track allows you to retain inner peace. Only here can we willfully defend ourselves. Reacting with calm precision and using the enemies own force against them.

“Owl-Stretching Time” has the ability to distort time. Fans of Proem’s Negativ (Merck, 2001) album would like this. There is some good length to these tracks. This one runs at nearly 6 and a half minutes, yet it doesn’t feel that long at all. The Owl is nocturnal and this track in particular sounds like it was made at night time. The recordings sound very well crafted, warm and full of detail that really fills these pieces, making for some spectacular works of art. The album cover itself is a work of outstanding beauty. I’d love a canvas of it.

I recommend doing some breathing methods whilst listening to this album. Clear yourself of all rational or irrational thought.

Then you come to this special place marking the halfway mark of the album. “秋” (meaning: autumn) sounds so gentle, every sound and feature is timed to perfection. Lushes pads come and go like a waterfall driving the mechanism of a waterwheel. From then on in the beauty starts. Utter tranquility.

I recognized the sample used within “猫ホップ.” It’s none other than the Zen master himself, Mr. Alan Watts. It samples him talking about a moving cat. Does the head control the tail or the tail control the head? An example of cause and effect? He argues that the past can be controlled by the present. Trying to get my head around this one. The cats head made the decision in the past that the tail would later break the vase in the future? I don’t understand. What I do know is that Tomoroh Hidari has achieved what he set out to achieve. A musical feature that will reset your mind and bring you back from the brink from what the world may throw at you.

I recommend doing some breathing methods whilst listening to this album. Clear yourself of all rational or irrational thought.

小さな夢達 is available on Mahorka. [Release page |Bandcamp]