On 27th March fabric Originals presents ‘Shō’ – a five track EP of introspective, transcendent electronics by the feted Japanese selector-producer DJ Nobu, who is one of real techno’s most unanimously respected figures.
Each track on ‘Shō’ marks a step in an emotional and spiritual journey, channelling the foundational virtues of the Brahmavihāras, which are the four ‘Sublime States’ of Buddhist practice: ‘Muditā’ (joy), ‘Karuṇā’ (compassion), ‘Mettā’ (loving-kindness), and ‘Upekkhā’ (equanimity). Together these principles form a path towards an open, boundless heart, which is mirrored in the EP’s unfolding sonic narrative.
“In recent years I became overly sensitive to my surroundings and society, finding myself strongly affected by every daily occurrence. It was during this time that I discovered meditation. And beyond that lay Buddhism. Through this, my sensibilities became able to express themselves more naturally. I decided to portray my feelings, and the scenery in Tokyo, conveying what I was experiencing in real-time, as music.
The EP title ‘Shō’ denotes views, thoughts, and actions aligned with Buddhist truth, and encapsulates my striving for presence, clarity, and acceptance. It also represents the conscious, mindful understanding that simply breathing is living.” DJ Nobu
The altruistic joy of ‘Mudita’ fosters contentment, free of envy. Free-flowing and kinetic, a strident synth pushes forward, breaking through towards renewal. “It expresses the sensation of crawling out of a murky swamp, the process of emerging from the depths of despair, to the point where something begins to sprout from deep within the heart, through meditation”, describes Nobu.
Brimming with bright, positive humanity, ‘Karuna’ expresses compassion and interconnectedness. It marks a shift in perspective, when Nobu stepped into the light, as his journey towards liberation began. “This expresses the realisation that when starting a new life while wounded, without the heart to share that pain, one cannot heal oneself”, he explains. “Also, coincidentally, I lived amidst the same Tokyo locations as Wim Wender’s joyful film ‘Perfect Days’, which is based on Zen Buddhism. What I saw and felt within that story is also reflected here.”
The loving kindness of ‘Metta’ cultivates unconditional goodwill toward oneself and all beings. The sound of revelation, at this point the EP bursts open: “It’s the sensation of the heart expanding!”, exclaims Nobu. “It expresses the feeling of boundaries between self and other dissolving. I wish for you to feel that moment when, through your own consciousness alone, you can become part of something greater.”
‘Upekkha’ is the concept of equanimity; a balanced, non-reactive mental state characterized by serenity and impartiality. With poised, almost Glassian minimalist repetitions, for Nobu the track represents “the sense of stability and clarity gained after passing through the preceding stages, reaching the state of becoming unshaken and free.”
Passing through the Four Sublime States of the Brahmavihāras can lead to the realization of ‘Tathātā’ – a fundamental concept referring to the ultimate, raw reality of existence – seeing things as they are, free from labels, judgments, or mental interpretations. This is represented by the liberating, subtly uplifting schaffel-meets-stroboscopic-disco-ball refractions of Tathātā, which closes the EP. “What remains at the end is the state of things as they are. Having passed through all the tracks, one simply dances, as they are, with acceptance”, Nobu concludes.
DJ Nobu Shō
Track-list:
Mudita
Karuna
Metta
Upekkha
Tathatā (vinyl exclusive)
Nobu plays fabric Continuum on 28th March, alongside Call Super, DJ Masda, Channel One, Craig Richards, Donna Leake and more.
Photo credit: Jun Yokoyama
Stay tuned to the Techno Trip Tracks of the Week selection and Listen to DJ Nobu’s new music first
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