'Chin Dan' is my favourite song title of the year. I'm sure there was a lad who used to go up the football who went by that name. Don't think Mikan Mukku are referring to the same fella, mind, being active in Japan from 82-87. Also turns out this is the band's first official independent release, having only previously appeared on compilations or on an ultra-rare flexi given away at house parties. Given I wasn't in Tokyo in the mid 80s and even if i was, wouldn't have been invited to these parties anyway, I'll show thanks to Bitter Lake (the sister label of the wondrous Material World in New York) for pushing these tracks out into the world. Japanese music of this era often comes sideways at genre, and Mikan Mukku's interpretation of new wave/post-punk is as wonky as it is radical. The melodies go the wrong way, the rhythm's a little awkward, disconcerting even. It took a few listens, but once it beds in, it's unshakeable. Just when you think the past has been exhausted, you fall down another gold mine.
We only have five of these. Be quick. Be sure.
