I.S.O.

by Chris KelseyFounded by percussionist Ichiraku Yoshimitsu, the sound-constructivist improv trio I.S.O. also includes the two members of Filament-samplist Sachiko M. and guitarist/turntablist Otomo Yoshihide. Yoshimitsu was born in Yamaguchi, Japan, in 1959, and raised in Yamaguchi City, 900 km away from Tokyo. His relative isolation caused him to develop apart from the rest of Japan's new music scene until the '90s. Beginning around 1993, he started collaborating with such artists as violinist Jon Rose, trombonist/composer George Lewis, and many prominent Japanese improvisers, including Haino Keiji and Uchihashi Kazuhisa. I.S.O. was formed in June 1997 during a tour of Western Japan. Their first album, Ju-ryoku Dokei, was recorded in February 1998. I.S.O. is particularly distinguished by Yoshimitsu's playing of his own homemade electronic instruments.