Phantom Limb revives DD. Records’ 1985 cult compilation ‘Disk Musik’
Young Hormones’ ‘Egg’ kicks off the release that features avant-garde tracks from the Japanese label’s final vinyl drop
Phantom Limb has announced the first-ever reissue of ‘Disk Musik: A DD. Records Compilation’—a rare 1985 album from Japan’s cult label, DD. Records.
Scheduled for release on April 11, the reissue brings back an important piece of Japan’s underground music history.
DD. Records operated between 1980 and 1985, producing 222 cassette releases and a few vinyl records. The original compilation is believed to be the label’s final vinyl release.
The label fostered a small but dedicated community of artists, releasing music that spanned avant-punk, ambient sound collage, early computer music, and experimental pop.
Their cassette covers featured xerographic artwork sourced from classical texts, scientific illustrations, and various found images, reinforcing their distinctive aesthetic. With limited distribution, DD. Records' releases have become rare collector’s items, often available only through private sales.
Read this next: SABIWA exhibits exploratory sound & vocal techniques in first release for Phantom Limb
Leading the reissue is ‘Egg’ by Young Hormones, a post-glam new wave track with energetic, rebellious undertones. Listen to it below.
The compilation also includes ‘Shela’ by Circadian Rhythm, a track blending psych-folk elements with ethereal vocals and toybox percussion, and ‘One Day With Kakusuko’ by Kum, a homespun acoustic glam-stomp that balances playful melodies with raw, experimental textures.
Read this next: Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Ongaku Zukan' gets first international reissue
Other artists on the album include Abnormal Sex, T. Kamada, Mask, T. Tsukimoto, and Y. Tabata, each contributing unique sonic explorations that highlight the label’s experimental ethos.
Tracklist:
1. Circadian Rhythm ‘Shela’
2. Kum ‘One Day With Kakusuko’
3. 10T ‘Israel’
4. Abnormal Sex ‘NHK’
5. T. Isotani ‘1/2 Orange’
6. Mask ‘In and Out’
7. Mosque of Torment ‘Ceramic Dance’
8. T. Tukimoto ‘Did the Thought of Love Surpass Everything?’
9. T. Kamada ‘Muzikapart’
10. Y. Tabata ‘Summer Initiation’
11. Cat Dog ‘Grain’
12. Young Hormones ‘Egg’
13. K. Usami ‘Soma Illusion’
Following their retrospective release ‘Fossil Cocoon: The Music of K. Yoshimatsu’, Brighton-based Phantom Limb continues its effort to preserve influential but overlooked music.
‘Disk Musik’ will be available on vinyl, digital, and streaming platforms from April 11; pre-save here.
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
Cut through the noise—sign up for our weekly Scene Report or follow us on Instagram to get the latest from Asia and the Asian diaspora!
