Artist: Hero U.D.A.
Title: Night Driver EP
Label: SAISEI
Format: Vinyl 12"
Release: 2025/5/5

Hero U.D.A.によって2000年代初期に制作されたトラックがロンドンのSAISEIレーベルにて発掘され6トラックEP Vinyl Onlyでリリース。90年代の終わりにロンドンから東京に活動拠点を移しOxygen Funk〜Killer Recordings等で音楽活動をしていた頃に制作され、今は無きロンドンのSilver Fish（Eukatechの前身）Record Shop/GalleryのコンピレーションCDに入っていたトラックをSAISEIの主宰Junki Inoueに発掘され、制作から四半世紀を経た他未発表5トラックを含めてアナログ化。Curve Pusher UKのKeith Tenniswoodによるマスタリング＋カッティング、Masako Hiranoによる古代文明をモチーフとしたアートワークとジャケットデザイン、Off The Grid Berlinからのディストリビューションによって素晴らしい作品に仕上がっております。

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Hero U.D.A. - Night Driver Ep - SAIS006

HERO U.D.A. (Hiroyoshi Udaka) is a DJ and producer whose journey began in the late 80s, inspired by the UK’s acid house scene during the Second Summer of Love. Moving to London, he became part of the underground techno scene, playing iconic venues like The End, CLUB UK, Silver Fish, and at Tribal Gathering raves. He also supported techno legends like Colin Dale, Mad Mike, Suburban Knight and D. Wynn on their Japan tours late 90s.
In the early 2000s, after returning to Tokyo, Udaka recorded these previously unreleased tracks. Drawing on a mix of broken beat, acid jazz, dub, and breaks, his sound blends raw grooves with deep textures. Tracks like ‘On The Way’ feature dubby pads and body-popping drums, while ‘Mature Missile,’ ‘So Good,’ and ‘Night Driver’ bring playful, acid-laced beats. ‘Sin City’ adds a darker, wonky edge with off-key piano and heavy bass, and the EP ends with ‘222AM,’ a quirky vignette inspired by early 00s vibes.
Now, these hidden gems are getting a second life on SAISEI.

Credits:
Written and produced by Hero UDA (Hiroyoshi Udaka)
Remastered + Lacquer cut by Keith Tenniswood at Curve Pusher UK
Graphic design by Masako Hirano
Distributed by Off The Grid Berlin

#saisei_london
#sais006
#herouda
#japanesetechno
#vinylreissue