METRON RECORDS — the label that launched with a 7FO release and has since delivered a superb lineup including Meitei / 冥丁 and GOERGIA — follows up its reissue of "余韻 (Resonance)," the classic Japanese classical/environmental music album by pianist Yumiko Morioka, with a reissue of "MIOS," originally released on CD in 1990 under the unusual moniker SYNERGETIC VOICE ORCHESTRA. Here the classically trained Morioka brought in synthesizers and gathered friends including street musicians to record in a band format. It syncs up with Haruomi Hosono of the same era — who said, "If what Brian Eno and company are doing is called ambient music, then what I'm doing is 'sightseeing music'" — as well as with CHAKRA. Sound-trip and world music sensibilities mingle with the rich flavor of Japanese '80s avant-garde and new age, plus touches of Satie, new age and ambient influence, and a unique charm where sophistication and rustic warmth intersect. Highlights include the post-Balearic "Tangram" (sample3) and "Zebra" (sample1), the beatless instrumental "A Tale" (sample2), and "Island Girl," which incorporates Okinawan folk music. CD also in stock. (Original Japanese text by Saito)