Häpna Music
Tenniscoats : Tan-Tan Therapy (JAP/S,2006)****'
I found a whole bunch of Leaf/Häpna records cheaply, but this one is undoubtably the most essential of them, and even when it’s out already some years I will shortly describe it, because it is in fact a splendid & even gorgeous work. Not only this Japanese band was responsible for this, some Swedish members from Tape (Andreas Berthling, Johan Berthling, Tomas Hallonsten), as well as Andreas Söderström (Ass), Leo Svensson and Lars Skoglund and fellow musicians participated during the recordings in Stockholm (S) and Cologne (D). The arrangements are more than perfect, multi-dimensional, often acoustic but also with some piano and a bit of keyboards and other instruments like airy brass arrangements or a breathing rhythm on the first track. The vocals are in Japanese, with sweet voice. On some tracks the singing is absolutely heavenly. Not to miss. Look forward to hear more from them in the future. The meeting alone was also fruitful.
