Japanese artists Yumiko Morioka and Takashi Kokubo unite for Gaiaphilia, a journey through ambient soundscapes that seamlessly blends Moriokas graceful piano compositions with Kokubos immersive field recordings and atmospheric synthesisers. This collaboration brings together two of Japans most influential pioneers in ambient and new age music, each with decades of groundbreaking work. Morioka, celebrated for her 1987 album Resonancereissued to critical acclaim by Mtron Recordsinfuses her introspective playing with Kokubos vivid environmental textures, creating a dialogue between nature and melody. After releasing Resonance, Morioka stepped away from music, moving to America to raise her family. For years, her work was quietly cherished by fans, only gaining wider recognition with its reissue in 2020. A devastating wildfire destroyed her California home seven years ago, prompting her return to Tokyo where she became a chocolatier before rediscovering her passion for the piano in recent years, playing live shows and making new recordings. Takashi Kokubos legendary discography spans over 30 years, and has found wider acclaim in recent years via YouTube algorithms and bootleg uploads, wracking up tens of millions of plays. Yet he is probably best known for his sound design work, specifically the Japanese earthquake alert sound as well as credit card payment jingles – his creations are pervasive in Japanese society. From our love and concern for our planet, we both offer a unique sensibility and spirit of inquiry which we express through our music. Rooted in shared philosophical interests, Gaiaphilia reflects a profound reverence for natures resilience and harmony. Themes of Gaia, Mother Earths renewal, and the interconnectedness of life are central, with inspirations drawn from cosmology, sacred geometry, and Japans mystical Katakamuna tradition. The album invites listeners into a meditative space where sound mirrors the delicate balance of the natural world. A master of sound design, Kokubo enhances this vision with his distinctive field recordings, captured using a self-made binaural microphone shaped like a crash test dummys head. From the jungles of Borneo to the gentle rhythm of ocean waves, Kokubos globe-spanning recordings transform into immersive soundscapes that perfectly complement Moriokas introspective piano compositions. The title, Gaiaphilia, is a newly created word to encompass our love and respect for nature and life, this feeling is the theme we hoped to express. Released on Mtron Records on 12/03/25 and with artwork from Ventral Is Golden, Gaiaphilia marks a remarkable new chapter for Morioka and Kokubo. Recorded at Kokubos log house studio named Studio Ion in Yamanashi, their collaboration offers listeners a deeply emotional and transcendent experience, rooted in the timeless beauty of Japans natural landscapes.