artist: Yoshinari Sunahara country of origin: Japan style(s): Electro, ambient pop, lounge essential releases: Lovebeat (2002, Bungalow)

This loungey electro creation from the man dubbed "Japan's electronic sound wizard" is Sunahara's forth and best album, showing a certain change in style from previous releases like Pan Am: The Sounds Of The 70's (1999). It’s less gimmicky and there’s a tighter, more focussed structure to the tracks. Criminally overlooked upon release, Lovebeat is a fantastic downtempo electropop record that deserves a bigger audience.

More than anything else it's the warmth that elevates this above other downbeat electro-techno. Imagine Kraftwerk's melodic style of robot pop slowed down and given a big warm hug and lots of sunshine. Add touches of Yello and Ultravox and you’ll some idea of what this mostly instrumental album sounds like. Occasional computer vocals are used sparingly and always in the service of good ideas - like the sublime “Spiral Never Before” which is enough to make you forgive all those awful Daft Punk-inspired vocoder pop nightmares. The machine has soul…but then you probably knew that already. This would be a perfect CD - if you're so inclined - to convert complaining friends who regard electronica as as cold and inhuman.

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