**Double LP with obi. Will sell out quickly** With Beach of the Pliocene, Ken-ichiro Isoda achieves a rare synthesis between composition and atmosphere, drawing on the gentle power of oceanic imagery and the quiet poetics of everyday life. Originating as part of Japan’s early-90s wave of healing music, the album situates itself in the lineage of environmental sound artists such as Satoshi Ashikawa and Hiroshi Yoshimura, while engaging in a more personal form of melodic storytelling. Isoda’s approach is rooted in simplicity: his guitar and flute lines linger among tranquil field recordings of sea and rain, creating distinctive spaces that invite reflection rather than demanding attention.
The music unfolds with a sense of patient generosity, refusing excess ornamentation. Isoda, influenced by French impressionism and local folk traditions, guides each composition with tenderness—nothing intrusive, only the slow articulation of texture and tone. Close listening reveals subtle improvisations and micro-melodic shifts, suggesting the living presence of the composer and the environment as equal agents in shaping the sonic world. The result is music that celebrates impermanence and fluidity, each track gently morphing like the unhurried tide. “Beach of the Pliocene” never adverts to spectacle; rather, it offers sanctuary in small gestures, minimal changes, and the resonance of natural forms.
Though often catalogued as relaxation or “healing ambient,” Isoda’s album asserts meaning through individual touch: references to friends and musical influences are quietly embedded, and the sense of loneliness and longing is palpable throughout. Recorded in limited runs and now finding renewed recognition, Beach of the Pliocene has become a touchstone for listeners seeking respite from overstimulation, proving that the most profound experimental works may arrive through humility and sincerity. The album stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of Japanese ambient and new age music, marking Ken-ichiro Isoda as a formative, if understated, voice in shaping the contours of contemporary sonic introspection.
