Fune (舟, Ship) is the tenth studio album by P-Model and the first by its "revised" lineup.
Overview
Following the dissolution of the "defrosted" lineup of P-Model, leader Susumu Hirasawa focused on his solo career, releasing Aurora and performing accompanying concerts. Some of the live shows featured a backing band, select members of which were sought by Hirasawa to join P-Model. Wataru Kamiryo, who worked with Hirasawa as the drummer of Soft Ballet in a special 1991 guest show, agreed to join. Kenji Konishi, a friend of Hirasawa's since 1979 who had collaborated with him intermittently since 1985, offered himself as a member, to Hirasawa's surprise. To fill out the fourth member role, Konishi convinced Hajime Fukuma, a chat room friend of his to join the band.[1] This "revised" (改訂) lineup debuted with two shows in December 1994.
The recording of Fune started immediately after Hirasawa finished his solo album Sim City. His main technological interest of the time had switched from Amiga personal computers to the rapidly growing internet, leading the band to produce music based around this idea. Although the band members did use the internet on the making of the album, its presence on the recording process was minimal compared to their latter releases. Konishi and Fukuma worked alongside Hirasawa on his home studio; vocals, drums and analog multitrack mixing were done on a conventional recording facility.[2]
As a concept album, it tells a story of the band dividing itself into two parties to sail through cyberspace and connect the opposing ideals of the spiritual and the technological. Hirasawa commented, "No, honestly, I think this might be the most easy-to-understand release in P-Model's history of works. The overall intended message is 'Come over here, it's super interesting, I'm already into it too, you're definitely gonna get hooked!'; a passionate invitation to the computer network."[3]
Konishi had equal creative control as Hirasawa. His rhythmic style of songwriting coupled with Kamiryo's use of an acoustic drum kit resulted in a beat-heavy album. P-Model's overall sound changed due to the heavy layering of tracks with synths and other assorted electronics.
Track listing
All tracks written by Susumu Hirasawa, except where noted. All tracks arranged by P-Model, except "Tide", by Hirasawa and Kenji Konishi.
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Length
1.
"Welcome"
4:18
2.
"Power to Dream" (夢見る力にYume Miru Chikara ni)
Hirasawa, Kenji Konishi
3:54
3.
"Fune"
Hirasawa, Konishi
4:46
4.
"Wreckage Saksit" (残骸の船SaksitZangai no Fune Saksit)
4:23
5.
"Preparation" (instrumental)
Konishi
4:09
6.
"Julia Bird"
3:57
7.
"Tide"
5:28
8.
"Soliton" (ソリトン)
3:17
9.
"Mirror Image"
Konishi
8:50
10.
"3/4 [March 4th]"
Konishi
5:56
11.
"Home" (instrumental)
Konishi
3:05
Ashu-on [Sound Subspecies] in the solar system disc 8 and 2011 reissue bonus tracks ("Rocket Shoot" maxi-single)
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Length
12.
"Rocket Shoot"
4:40
13.
"http"
Konishi
4:30
14.
"The Day of Beginning" (はじまりの日Hajimari no Hi)
Hirasawa, Konishi
4:42
"Mirror Image" contains samples of "Mental Manipulation", "Inner Tripping", "Percepts" and "Acoustic Space"; from the album The Medium is the Message (a posthumous compilation of Marshall McLuhansound bites).
Promotional version released to stores and press. Booklet contains an extensive biography and discography by Kasiko Takahasi.[5]
December 9, 1995 (1995-12-09)
COCA-13083
May 10, 2002 (2002-05-10) July 4, 2014 (2014-07-04)
Chaos Union, Teslakite
CHTE-0012
Remastered by Hirasawa. Part of Disc 8 of the Ashu-on [Sound Subspecies] in the solar system box set, alongside the "Rocket Shoot" maxi-single. Re-released with new packaging by Kiyoshi Inagaki.
March 23, 2009 (2009-03-23)
Columbia Music Entertainment
on Demand CD
CORR-10199
September 21, 2011 (2011-09-21)
CD
COCP-36928
Subtitled +3. Digitally remastered, with the "Rocket Shoot" maxi-single for bonus tracks.
"SAKSIT North Passage MIX" c/w "11th fact" Released: February 29, 1996 (1996-02-29)
Corrective Errors～remix of 舟 is an album of remixes by Hajime Fukuma and Kenji Konishi of songs from Fune, released on Hirasawa's own indie label SYUN. Released before Fune itself, it provided an early glimpse into the album. A single featuring a slightly different mix of "Wrecked Ship Saksit re-mix" was released as a special gift to consumers of SYUN releases. This was the last P-Model release pressed on vinyl.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Susumu Hirasawa and remixed by Kenji Konishi, except where noted
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Remixer
Length
1.
"Tide re-mix"
8:03
2.
"Wrecked Ship Saksit re-mix" (残骸の船SaksitZangai no Fune Saksit)
8:16
3.
"Julia Bird re-mix"
Hajime Fukuma
6:07
4.
"3/4 [March 4th] re-mix"
Konishi
8:32
5.
"Welcome re-mix"
8:03
6.
"Home re-mix"
Konishi
Fukuma
6:01
7.
"Fune re-mix"
Hirasawa, Konishi
11:26
Ashu-on [Sound Subspecies] in the solar system disc 16 bonus tracks
May 10, 2002 (2002-05-10) July 4, 2014 (2014-07-04)
Chaos Union, Teslakite
CHTE-0020
Remastered by Hirasawa. Part of Disc 16 of the Ashu-on [Sound Subspecies] in the solar system box set, alongside its single. Re-released with new packaging by Kiyoshi Inagaki.
References
^Yotsumoto, Toshimi (17 September 2010). "【P-MODEL特集】アウトテイク・コメント紹介！". Keyboard Magazine. Rittor Music. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
^Takahasi, Kasiko (2010) [1999]. 改訂DIGITAL復刻版 音楽産業廃棄物 [Music Industrial Wastes Rev.2.4]. Vol. P-Model Side – Open Source (3rd ed.). Fascination. p. 115.
