Wah Wah 45s are proud to present Lean Into Your Own Breath, the second single from London based collective Land of Echo, featuring Japanese vocalist Ayana Homma. Hailing from Tokyo, but raised in both Japan and Singapore, trained in jazz in California, and now embedded in London’s music scene via the Jazzy Sport collective, Ayana also lends her voice to the Tokyo Riddim Band and Sound Anthropology, delivering fearless and expressive performances in both Japanese and English.
From the opening motif on the ragged vintage Wurlitzer 200 electric piano, to the silky string arrangement, vocalist Ayana Homma drives this bouncy groove with her jazz phrasing and infectious call and response chorus. Producer Rob Mac keeps the beat’s momentum up with plenty of percussion and bass; Lucy Wilkins takes care of a graceful violin on top; and watch out for those squelchy bass additions from young Angus Mac!
Rob is at the heart of Land of Echo. A well respected producer and longtime figure in UK underground music, his diverse musical history varies from running the legendary Scratch hip-hop nights in the ’90s to releasing under aliases like Speeka (on Wah Wah 45s), Gum Drop, An Explore, and Jumbonics. Rob returns here to the soulful edges of dance music – armed with vintage gear, fresh vision, and a deep connection to his collaborators.
Reactions & Radio Play
Radio play from Tim Garcia (Rinse FM), DJ Bunuel (Radio Yle Vega, Finland)
Featured in Bristol Funk’s New Funk & Soul Playlist
Featured in Bristol Funk’s Summer Grooves Playlist
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“Lovely.” John Gomez (NTS/Tangent, UK)
“Crispy soulful magic.” For Mankind (Pikes, Ibiza)
“Nice nice.” Dean Chew (Darker Than Wax, Singapore)
“I love that sound soaked with jazz and afro flavours.” Matteo Chelini (Ritmo Radio, Italy)
“Cool track!” DJ Angola (Wonderwheel, USA)
“What a nice surprise.” Mans Stromberg (Radio Helsinki, Finland)
“”Lean Into Your Own Breath” is really a great tune – I’m already looking forward to the announced album!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8, Germany)
“A real pleasure to listen to and play.” Cesare Cera (Bologna Uno, Italy)
“Love it!!!” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“Super timbre de voix.” Jean-Marc Baehler (Couleur 3, Switzerland)
“Sweet groove!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“Joyous, beautiful and those vocals over those grooves, wow.” DJ Mr Lob (Melbourne, Australia)
“Awesome!!!” Markus Miltz (Radio Corax 94.9FM, Germany)
“So Great!!!” Makala (Global Funkers, Spain)
“I love the vibe, and want to hear more in August!” Xander Roozen (Royal Groove, The Netherlands)
“Love it!.” Enrique Domenech (CKUT 90.3FM, Canada)
“Makes fun!” Markus Thon (Sonar Kollektiv, Germany)
“Nice meditative groove in harmful times.” Stephan Galland (Radio Grenouille, France)
“Nice track!” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Un track qui groove, ca roule, ca donne juste envie de danser.” Diggers Radio (France)
“Enjoying this – supporting.” Andrew Haig (Bay FM, Australia)
“Yes!” Lorenzo Aldino (Jockey Club Ibiza, Spain)
“Very good track!” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“Nice one!” Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes, Germany)
“Really nice.” Ivan Mera (Higher Club, Spain)
“What a tune! Catchy and bright.” Chris Greenwood (Louie Louie, UK)
“Great track!” Rado Tomek (NuSpirit, Slovakia)
“This is epic we love it !!!!!” Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe, UK)
“The song builds beautifully from the intro, swinging on the simple disco beat and chasing bass groove. Great vocal, fab backing vox and some very tasty jazzy grooves to wig out on, Larvly.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
“J-Jazz to J-WW45s – it’s a winner – J-Wah, jah (that’s been taken), The Mighty J-Wah! hmmm great strings and organ.” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
