Various Artists, We Are the Works in Progress, Asa Wa Kuru

We Are the Works in Progress showcases several artists, but one person spearheaded the project. Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead, who was born in Kyoto, put together the 14-track record to benefit victims of last year's Japanese tsunami. Acts include Four Tet, Nosaj Thing, Deerhunter, John Maus, and David Sylvian/Ryuichi Sakamoto. Ten selections are exclusive to the release.

It's a fine set in support of a worthy cause. I particularly like the pieces by Four Tet ("Moma"), John Roberts ("Berceuse"), and Pantha du Prince ("Bird on a Wire").

Music, track listing, and additional information below.

It's also nice to hear Trish Keenan's lovely voice again on a Broadcast track ("In Here the World Begins") from a tour-only vinyl recording. The reworked number by Terry Riley* ("G Song") isn't quite to my taste, but your mileage may vary.

Initial proceeds will go to Japan Society and Architecture For Humanity. According to the press release, Makino plans to add "agencies that help change the way we live and think and help us become less reliant on nuclear power."

*Coincidentally enough, Tzadik also releases Riley's two-disc Aleph this week, "a pulsating, hypnotic, and honking meditation on the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet." [Other Music]

TRACK LISTING
1. Four Tet - Moma - exclusive
2. Karin Dreijer Andersson (The Knife) - No Face - exclusive
3. Terry Riley - G Song - exclusive reworking with new vocals
4. Nosaj Thing - Nightcrawler - exclusive
5. John Roberts - Berceuse - exclusive
6. Blonde Redhead - Penny Sparkle - Drew Brown exclusive remix
7. Pantha du Prince - Bird on a Wire - exclusive
8. Broadcast - In Here the World Begins - tour vinyl-only track
9. Liars/Blonde Redhead - Drip - album track remixed by BR
10. Deerhunter - Curve - exclusive
11. Stalactite (Susumu Mukai + DB) - Stalagmite - exclusive
12. John Maus - Castles in the Grave - exclusive
13. David Sylvian/Ryuichi Sakamoto - Bamboo House
14. Interpol - Song Seven - previously released B-side

Kazu Makino's statement:

This album contains exclusive material by artists that I admire. It took a while to make it this way, but it was worth the wait. We wanted it to be something special—something you don't normally put on an album, and therefore many of these tracks are works in progress…hence the name. They are ideas that we became very attached to...versions of music that aren't right for release, but ones that we love. Unfinished things often carry more energy…the possibility of it eventually becoming something great is infinite without having to be quite yet. I've noticed that each song relates to one another. Like Scott Mou said, "It sounds like each song is passing a baton to the next one." I feel the same way.

Blonde Redhead's new label Asa Wa Kuru ("Morning Will Come") releases the record on February 7th, 2012 (the two-LP set comes with a download code).