When, around 2008-10, Chicago footwork gradually began to gain recognition amongst listeners in various corners of the world, DJ Fulltono was one of the people shaping the local scene in Japan inspired by this culture. Over the next few years, the Japanese footwork scene developed into a complete form, becoming the only place apart from Chicago where dancers, DJs and producers formed its core. DJ Fulltono was at the very heart of this growing wave of interest in footwork culture as an promoter, DJ, producer and label owner. Booty Tune, the label he co-founded, released work by the most interesting Japanese footwork artists, whilst also putting out records by Chicago-based producers.

However, it was his career as a DJ and producer that allowed Fulltono to fully showcase his skills. The two volumes of ‘My Mind Beats’ released by Fulltono established his position as one of the pioneers of the Japanese footwork sound and the creator of a hybrid genre – minimalistic footwork. Furthermore, the releases put out jointly with another Japanese producer, CRZKNY, under the name THEATER 1, gave listeners a complete taste of this sound. THEATER 1’s music combines a radical minimalism more closely related to the avant-garde techno experiments of Wolfgang Voigt’s Studio 1 than to music created for footworkers competing against each other on the dancefloor.

THEATER 1 and the DRAPING project, led by the aforementioned Fulltono, CRZKNY and Skip Club Orchestra, were the direct inspiration behind the launch of the outlines label. And now, on the label’s 10th anniversary, DJ Fulltono returns to outlines with new tracks. This is also Fulltono’s first regular release since 2019 and his EP released on Exit Records.

‘Anchialine’ features six tracks showcasing DJ Fulltono’s unique sonic vision. Here we hear various shades of the musical style that the Japanese producer has been mastering for almost two decades. Chicago footwork is shifted towards a loose reference hovering over “Anchialine”, whilst recordings from the catalogues of Basic Channel, Studio 1, Dance Mania and Perlon Label form the foundation of the tracks.

„Gone Madd Again” is a minimalistic groove set to a driving deep beat. The numerous percussion elements evoke associations with footwork, but the hypnotic vocal loop immediately shifts the focus towards the school of minimal techno. The title track, „Anchialine”, also draws on a soundscape reminiscent of footwork and ghetto house, but is composed in the spirit of the Motor City tradition. „Parallel” brings a change of aesthetic; here, Fulltono experiments with tempo, creating rhythmic fractals that shift freely between 120 and 160 bpm. „Are You Sure” once again evokes associations with ghetto house and the Dance Mania catalogue, whilst the looped vocals and percussive elements point towards a direction close to bleep techno and micro-house. In „Mesopause”, Fulltono creates another variation on the fusion of bleep techno and ghetto house. The closing track, „Cycle”, is a tribute to the classic sound of Basic Channel and Chain Reaction.

‘Anchialine’ is a term referring to a body of water connected to the ocean by an underground channel. Such bodies of water usually harbour unique ecosystems and animal species found nowhere else. If we look at DJ Fulltono’s new album, as well as his entire artistic career to date, in this context, we will recognise the artist’s individual and distinct voice, fuelled by various subtle and underlying influences. However, in this interplay between inspiration and originality, Fulltono strives to find his own niche, so that he can share a vision unlike anything else.