I’ve loved working with Japanese artists ever since my first collaboration with MALIYA back in 2021. Since then I have worked and produced for numerous Japanese singers and instrumentalists and have thoroughly enjoyed every track I’ve worked on. I knew about Toshiki already through his super dope Instagram videos, so was already fan of his guitar playing when he reached out about a collaborative EP. It was an instant yes from me and every track we’ve worked on has come together really quickly which has made the process even more enjoyable. Some started with beats, some started with guitar parts, but the whole release is fully collaborative and really showcases both of our styles. I love the blend of UK hip-hop beats and Japanese guitar playing.
edbl
THE RELEASE
Oct 2 - Daisy Chain
Oct 30 - Headspace
Nov 27 - Carefree EP
The Japanese neo-soul guitar phenomenon Toshiki Soejima returns to Stereofox, this time with a surprising collaboration.
He teams up with UK producer & multi-instrumentalist edbl (Kazuki Isogai, Quinn Oulton, IYAMAH, etc.) for the 6-track Carefree EP. Initiated by the Stereofox team who have worked with both artists separately, the project happened online rather fast & naturally – hence the title of the EP.
It also explores the topic of the carefree times we had as kids. Sound-wise, the songs blend Toshiki’s majestic neo-soul guitars with Ed’s impeccable groove & warm keys, with a feature from Toshiki’s wife Nahokimama who contributed with her wonderful trumpet on 3 of the songs.
THE ARTIST
Toshiki Soejima
Toshiki Soejima is a neo-soul guitarist from Japan. Toshiki’s musical journey began when he picked up the guitar for the first time at the age of 14 & later got inspired by the neo-soul aesthetics on Tom Misch’s 2018 Georgraphy album. He founded a music school in 2016 which is now one of the most popular music schools in Japan, with about 450+ students across the country. He also does guitar tutorials & live sessions on his YouTube (240k subs) and manages a guitar tab online shop.
- 240k subscribers on Toshiki’s YouTube channel (30M total views) / 400k followers on socials
- Frequently performs live, including at Tower Records Shibuya, the largest CD store in the world + a tour across Japan in March 2023
- Featured on Apple’s BEATstrumentals, Lo-Fi Japan, Morning Focus, Jazz Scene: Japan, New Fire
- 3M streams on debut Stereofox EP Tokyo
- Airplay on BBC 6 Radio (Focus Beats) & across Japan
- Added to Deezer’s lofi Japan & chill lofi
- Featured on Spotify’s Hangover Detox, .ORG, Lonely Girl – I’m a little tired… & more
- Toshiki Soejima is the founder of a music school for neo-soul guitar with 450+ students
- Guitar tab online shop
- Interview by GuitarMagazine.jp
edbl
edbl, or Ed Black, is a producer & multi-instrumentalist based in London. His music has a distinct live touch, bright notes & a lot of groove - blending genres like soul, jazz, r&b, and hip-hop. Ed has collaborated with 50+ artists (including Kazuki Isogai, IYAMAH, Quinn Oulton, Nic Hanson, Jackson Mathod, Sophie Faith), resulting in support on radio, blogs & all DSPs. He also often performs live having a few UK, Europe & Japan tours behind him. Photographer @annietobinphoto Stylist @peter.sj.watts Styling assistant: @jamiebaptiste Studio @blackgoldsunstudios
- Collaborated with names like Kazuki Isogai, Quinn Oulton, IYAMAH, Kofi Stone, Joe Hertz
- Sold 1k+ copies (vinyl & CDs) across Japan
- Frequently performing live - Blue Note Tokyo, Jazz Cafe, Ronnie Scott's, Camden Assembly
- Featured on Apple’s Jazz Scene: UK, Jazz Soul Cafe, etc.
- Featured on 200+ Spotify editorials - Mellow Beats, Jazz UK, Shimmer, Soultronic, Soft Office & more
- Airplay on BBC Radio (1, 1Xtra, 6, London, Manchester), Jazz FM, Reprezent Radio, Rinse.FM & across Japan
- Added to Deezer’s Fresh Soul, Jazz UK, Logging Off
- Featured on YouTube Music's Mellow Hype, Chilled Hip-Hop, Jazz For The Hip-Hop Generation
- Added to Amazon's Brand New Music, FLOW, etc.
- Featured on TIDAL's Rap Up UK, curated by edbl
- Press coverage by EQUATE, Noctis, Wordplay, Somewhere Soul, Earmilk, etc.
