NOVEMBER 2004 
EARLY UNDERSTANDING / BEGINNINGS 

The early beginnings of my early knowledge in compilation design & set composing; were quite simply to say - simplistic in that they were unevolved and unestablished in signature. The only avenues allowing such an understanding “set composition”; that is - a moving, themed progression from one song to the next - seem to derive only from EDM / aka. electronic dance music. Hence, artists & groups Towa Tei, Coldfeet (Lori Fine & DJ Watusi), and Kyoto Jazz Massive were some of the earliest collection I drew my interest in EDM. Which then evolved to trip hop / acid jazz to mainstream soulful house (a specific genre which I wasn't able to fully identify until many years later on); as well as the more unusual unconventional Visual Kei.

In late 2004, I've decided to make my first ever venture to designing and compiling the very first V.A lounge compilation. But more importantly, it was the very first period I was exposed into the larger world of Lounge, electronica, future-/nu-jazz and mainstream Japanese soulful house genres (before I fully identified this as a specific root of House genre years later on) ; as well as the more difficult to describe Japanese Visual Kei.

Complete with my own "fictional" aesthetic record label/s and compilation series running beneath it. That was only a smallest and earliest beginnings of this idea - I simply lived and got through this compilation by listening and simply collecting what "sounds" best.

Throughout this short but eventual beginnings; this remained as a milestone that was quite easy to forget. 

2005 - 2007
PROJECT ELLIPSIS

The idea for crafting a sonic composition together towards a tangible use or purpose - to that of the listener’s surroundings - was attempted hypothetically within Project Ellipsis.

Between 2005 - 2007, I decided to make a refresh upon those fictional self-made brands into something more credible and “usable” in the year/s to come. The earlier attempts at mixing various lounge / downtempo artists was frankly an embarrassing failure. Technically also; my level of learning of "how-to's" in most basics of set composing, were still largely non-existent.

Some measure of success however was felt within one project - Ellipsis - a fictional atmospheric soundtrack surrounding the context of a fine dining, fictional restaurant brand by the same name. It was the first time I slowly began intently listening more to Downtempo, as a genre and I thought it would made perfect sense to compliment such context of a fine dining atmosphere. 

I wanted to do something different; instead of it being complementary to the "response" for the food itself in a high end restaurant, it'd be best; as I believed - to focus on the emotive, "spiritual" side of the venue instead.

Originally created as a free-form / self-written brief as a University project but then later re-adopted as a featured personal compilation design. It was very first attempt in tying together “Context + Sonic” composition in mind. A hint of an early success was felt but limited. The idea for crafting a set composition towards an intangible branded theme was plausible (hypothetically) enough.

Despite the results sounding rather crude by any listening standards - the core concept nonetheless brought and pave the way for hope and refinement for its evolution. I wanted to story-tell the listener. In an array of secluded “Moments”. Hence, paving the way to the titling of ambigious-then project.

Moment™ 01. Destination : Yours. 

2008 - 2009
MOMENT™ 01 / DESTINATION : YOURS

A set composition, with a purpose; was the first and earliest defining statement of this framework; this idea.

In 2008, the very first attempt at refining that idea of creating a context + sound composition framework was founded. What I had in mind was a "set of plans" to put this philosophy into an "experiment".  That very first idea of this understanding came upon the very first MOMENT™ title - "Destination : Yours".  

I simply went through; in naming this framework "Moment" because it was simply nothing more than referring to a subtlety, an event or a circumstance's in one's life; with a sound composition somehow needed to be attached to it to help craft together later possibly an experimental musical / social brand awareness project. 

A set composition, with a purpose; was the ultimate defining goal as well as statement; of that framework. The first MOMENT™ was envisioned as a collective sonic environment where "self discovery."; as a context for the main storyline is introduced upon the listener towards a variety of atmospheres and inspirations as collected from the very best elements of downtempo and chill-out genres.

Midway through the year I committed to myself to make that next step: thoroughly start my understanding of this hobby from scratch and plan as though this is a proper design task; a career. All this began in a year's task from  2008 to the 2009 in both aesthetic and sonic gathering + set composing.

Undoubtedly difficult yet holds numerous promises in return; but unfortunately resulting in a somewhat embarrassingly messy & mediocre sounding product. Indeed another measure of failure but yet nonetheless small indicator of success for the next opportunity to come. 

2009 - 2011
MOMENT™ 02 : LADY

This period; as I witnessed it - was an exceptionally important period. To me not only as an individual; but my understanding and gaining an alternative “view” for developing a sense of awareness in everything I do in life.

Whilst still developing the first title, the groundwork of finding the next inspiration began to give this framework even more of a challenge; in that I was hoping to turn this framework into something that people can relate to it; as a case study. Something that it isn't afraid to showcase some degree of sensitivity.The idea for the next “Moment” number was to promote a theme, not usually tolerated in the most progressive or "open" listeners from all walks of life.

What turned out to be the most interesting title to work thus far at the time also showed its’ ulterior side. It was simply the most time consuming, most difficult of all sonic & creative project I ever imagined.

"Physical intimacy" immediately conjures a myriad of meanings. Many simply perceives this; especially from a conservative mindset - as a vilified-human instinct, yet sacred. Few on the other hand, in a progressive context and tolerance sees it merely beyond a "natural" exchange of human instinct/s. Regardless of "-ism's" or beliefs.

What it isn't - is another simple, common adult-oriented, "erotic entertainment" compilation. What it is - is a compilation that sonically honours the different expectations and understanding/s of this inner need.  

“Sensitivity” needs a somewhat more concise title. To my eyes (and ears), “Lady”, seemed concise fittingly to this purpose. As the very definition of it is troublingly diverse and open to a viewer’s interpretation. Sonically curating and celebrating the definition of what "intimacy" means to the listener, in however ways of political bias one holds - be it however blatantly honest or vague - remained to be the most controversial as a result. 

At the very least - "LADY" was produced, set and designed to provide an alternative against what a conventional "erotic" or intimate downtempo compilation is; at least in a manner and setting far from being commonly predictable.

With over a dozen attempt/s in redesigning and recompositions  - it was a long, slow but eventual learning curve unregretful to this day. But as I was unaware of this potential back then - lies an experience and purpose - that ultimately brings the branding, and its' personality together not just for this particular second volume/title; but the entirety of the MOMENT™ project itself.  

2012 - 2014
MOMENT™ 01 & 02 5th Anniversary Edition

In the midst of new humble beginnings - in partaking DJ’ing as a physical / practising hobby - Hundreds of hours were spent with pain and frustration. But all this lies in the founding and creation of that very core principle in this hobby - the Humanist Principle of Mixing.

An entire re-design and re-creation of the project's & branding, framework & personality of the MOMENT™ Project commenced. This includes undertaking a few research in gathering  various existing compilation series of the market thus far and analysing their visual and aural branding.  Further, carefully selecting and curating musical work/s that have the power to "influence" and to  "remind" over the things that are "special" to our own circumstances.

Throughout many years then came a process of "realisation" - the founding & development of my own principle -  Humanist Principle Of Mixing™; which was born as a hobby self-promotional concept in 2013. 

MOMENT™; as it stands today - remains anything but a commercially driven concept project. Nor is it designed predominantly for general casual listening. 

Everything made thus far was created with a certain frame of mind for promoting two things - awareness of ourselves against those around us, and good, under appreciated and long forgotten music to act as the sole backdrop of the very life itself.