Parisian cinema composer Jean-Gabriel Becker and Japanese multi-instrumentalist Susumu Mukai’s joint project came to fruition back in 2017, spawned from some underground jam sessions the pair were hosting in Shoreditch at the time. Through exploration and improvisation the duo found where their sound and styles overlapped and complimented one another, and so Becker & Mukai was born.
Individually, Becker is known for his idiosyncratic soundscapes that have graced the screen while, as a musician, Mukai has worked with the likes of Floating Points and Fimber Bravo, and made oddball musings under his alter ego Zongamin. It’s no wonder then that what the duo craft together is uniquely fresh; effortless and meandering compositions that blur the lines between dub, experimental, polyrhythms, post punk and modern acid.
Their new record, Time Very Near, which is set for release on SaS Recordings, is very much the sum of its parts, with each of them bringing their skills and unique palette of influences to the table. Our pick, opening track ‘Dark Fields Of The Republic’, sets the scene for the LP with a warm tropical-tinged bounce and polyrhythmic drum patterns, quickly joined by layers of chiming guitars that meander overhead.
Time Very Near is out on 3rd April via SaS Recordings – grab your copy.
