Out 4th December, the digital double A-side single “Last Feast” / “Oriental Suite” is the first taste of Anchorsong’s second full album ‘Ceremonial’, which drops on Tru Thoughts in January unveiling an exciting progression for Tokyo-born, London-based electronic musician Masaaki Yoshida.

Continuing the exploration of sounds evident on 2014’s well-received “Mawa” EP (BBE), this ever-curious musician blends the minimalist, catchy melodic phrasing and attention-grabbing beats of his Tru Thoughts debut LP ‘Chapters’ (2011) with a newfound love for vintage African music. Influences from Orchestre Poly-Rythmo to Fela Kuti-style Afrobeat to bluesy High Life now hold sway, while Anchorsong retains the crisp production sensibility and deep, immersive arrangements that have always set his music apart and seen him gain support from the likes of Huw Stephens, Gilles Peterson, Q Magazine and many others across the world.

“Last Feast” epitomises the spirit of the LP, with an effortless fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds, tribal drums and cowbell pulsating amongst electronic textures with a gathering, celebratory momentum. Yoshida spent two years back in Japan while working on the production and composition of this new material, and the essence of “Oriental Suite” reflects his homeland as much as it does his study and exploration of African beats. Revered Japanese percussionist Mu-chan contributes killer live bongos to this track, while beautiful strings make for an immersive trip of a song that always explodes on the live stage. 

Since his relocation to Europe in late 2007, Anchorsong has supported Bonobo, Prefuse 73, DJ Krush, Daedelus, Gonjasufi, Jaga Jazzist and more, and performed at many prestigious venues including Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Roundhouse in London. Globally recognised for his unique live shows, which many have described as "like watching a painter drawing on a white canvas", Anchorsong was an early explorer of the practice of creating electronic music completely live in front of the audience, using a sampler (MPC2500) and a keyboard. While he mainly performs solo, he frequently augments this setup with a string quartet. Having always been swept away by the atmosphere and excitement of live performance, Yoshida (who played guitar in a rock band before embarking on his solo journey) brings that same vibrant energy, warmth and sense of occasion to the world of electronica. He has also garnered an international following on YouTube, with more than 300,000 views for his performances, and he found himself the subject of a new level of attention after wowing the crowds at SXSW 2009, going on to make several appearances on BBC Radio 1, with radio play from Rob Da Bank and a live Maida Vale session for Huw Stephens' In New Music We Trust show in 2010.