Christopher Willits & Ryuichi Sakamoto: Ocean Fire burns on 12k

After a short delay, the collaboration between Christopher Willits and Ryuichi Sakamoto will be available from 12k records from 12th February. „Ocean Fire“ is „dedicated to the healing and restoration of our fragile oceans“ and features seven tracks of Ryuichi Sakamoto's dreamy Piano drops and Christopher Willits' emotional guitarscape washes. For Willits, this is yet another work revolving around the theme of water and its deep spiritual connection with humanity („Surf Boundaries“ on Ghostly International, of course, being the other one). Already two years ago, the two artists met in Sakamoto's New York studio in spring to record the basic moods and themes to all pieces live and in the moment. For months, the duo then kept reworking them assiduously in the studio, staying in contact via mail and file exchange, before sending the master to Clayx in Berlin for the final version. The record has been described as a recognisable, yet remarkable fusion of Christopher Willits' and Ryuichi Sakomoto's unique styles – and an effort of going beyond that. „Each artist has gently pulled the other into new sonic territory“, Taylor Deupree of 12k stated prior to the release, „Sakamoto’s gorgeous processed piano sound reflects Willits’ beautiful shimmering clusters of notes, a new aspect of Willits’ pioneering guitar/computer approach. Together, their sounds merge effortlessly, creating deep and seamless swells of gigantic melodic waves.“