“For me, sampling is like a collaboration,” says DJ Yuta Yamaoka, better known to global beatheads as Pigeondust. Residing in Chiba, Japan, Pigeondust spends his days either vinyl-digging or sourcing samples — that is, creating sonic collaborations — from his discoveries. Pigeondust is also a member of the EN TOKYO crew, representing a new generation of Japanese beat-makers who draw from a large variety of genres. In 2015, Pigeondust joined Cold Busted with his fantastic album Moon, Wisdom & Slackness. He now follows up with an ambitious double album titled Way Back When.
Way Back When explores a galaxy of hip hop styles throughout its whopping 36 cuts. The vibe is gritty and street-smart, samples from jazz, funk, world music, and other pathways poured into one groovable stew. “Chienowa” sets the tone with its tough beat, funk bass pops, and fly-by musical riffs. “Spiral Beat” is also notable for its arpeggiated jazz loop that shifts into gentle ‘70s piano soul. And the collaborations aren’t exclusive with samples — Turkish producer Ozoyo joins Pigeondust for the drum-twisting nature walk of “Magicnight,” and Swiss producer DRWN. appears on cut-up jazz jam “Intense.” There’s much to explore here.
The album is available from Cold Busted on double vinyl, its packaging a loving homage to Yo! MTV Raps and its sought-after trading cards. Each album comes with a Pigeondust trading card complete with artist photo and vital stats. Represent.
| A1 | Intro | 1:52 |
| A2 | Chienowa | 2:46 |
| A3 | Class | 2:29 |
| A4 | Dummies | 1:35 |
| A5 | Kan-nana Street | 2:53 |
| A6 | Magicnight | 1:56 |
| A7 | Cuttape | 1:15 |
| A8 | Spiral Beat | 3:14 |
| A9 | Skit | 2:01 |
| B1 | Intro 2 | 1:22 |
| B2 | Sky | 1:50 |
| B3 | Altona | 2:13 |
| B4 | Maze | 2:05 |
| B5 | Jazzloop A | 1:33 |
| B6 | M-v-g-i | 1:52 |
| B7 | Jazzloop B | 1:09 |
| B8 | Reminiscence | 1:39 |
| B9 | Home | 3:01 |
| B10 | Mektup | 3:06 |
| C1 | Intense | 1:33 |
| C2 | Nothing But Jazz Loops | 1:51 |
| C3 | Wave | 2:57 |
| C4 | Jazzloop C | 0:29 |
| C5 | Sunnyday | 3:58 |
| C6 | Jazzloop D | 1:52 |
| C7 | Rain | 3:37 |
| C8 | Jazzloop E | 1:32 |
| C9 | Jazzloop F | 0:54 |
| C10 | Struggle | 1:07 |
| D1 | Back In The Days | 2:51 |
| D2 | B-Boy Blue | 4:35 |
| D3 | Numero 3 | 1:06 |
| D4 | Skaters | 1:49 |
| D5 | Keep On | 2:20 |
| D6 | Fiesta | 2:13 |
| D7 | 1973 | 5:03 |
