The Geordie Approach, Michiyo Yagi

*350 copies limited release* A new album from Anglo-Norwegian trio The Geordie Approach, in a unique collaboration with Japanese koto-player Michiyo Yagi.

Live at SuperDeluxe is both a tribute to the long-lost venue which for many years constituted the hub of high-end Tokyo experimentalism, as well as a testament to the transnational ethos of improvised music. The three musicians of The Geordie Approach have long been drawn to the experimental, rustic, activist-run underground venues found in basements, lofts and abandoned factories scattered across our cities, and SuperDeluxe was one of their absolute favourites. One floor, audience close, dry, warm sound, and an excellent sound system, made for a magical night, only topped by the guest-appearance of virtuoso koto-player Michiyo Yagi.

Yagi has long been pushing the boundaries of the traditional koto – using electronics, free improvisation and collaborations across genres – and in this recording she plays like she was always part of the close-knit band. The interplay between them flows as a well-structured composition, ranging from acoustic solos and duos, to electronic mayhem and rhythmic ambience.