フェデレーションジェーアイ by Federation JI
Federation JI is the new project from Icelandic producer Felix Leifur and Japanese artist Daichi Saito. Known for his house, electro, and techno releases, Felix stepped away from the club circuit to challenge himself creatively, diving into live instruments and a wider range of songwriting. Over two years, he explored a palette shaped by ’70s/’80s jazz-funk and ’90s experimental rock, inspired by his dad’s old Japanese pressings and a love for exploratory sounds.
A chance meeting with Daichi in Copenhagen revealed a hidden thread of Japanese influence in the music, leading to a close collaboration. Daichi’s shimmering synths and textured keys reshaped the songs, adding a futuristic, dreamlike layer to Felix’s heavy grooves and emotive guitar work.
The album moves through slow-burning funk, cinematic textures, dreamy Rhodes melodies, and bursts of ’90s rock energy, balancing playful moments with deep, nostalgic undertones. From the warped guitar loops of Digital Súpa to the organ-driven drift of Sálmar & Suð, Federation JI is a conversation between two distinct musical worlds.
The result is something unexpected: Japanese/Icelandic future funk, soaked in atmosphere, groove, and emotion.
Tracklist
| 1. | Digital súpa | 2:05 |
| 2. | Rewind | 2:53 |
| 3. | Gæðastundir í kirkjunni | 2:45 |
| 4. | Scrubmedaddy | 3:02 |
| 5. | Absolute | 3:31 |
| 6. | Fjandinn í sauðalæknum | 1:34 |
| 7. | Fimmtíu og tveir | 3:15 |
| 8. | Sálmar og suð | 2:28 |
| 9. | Unwind | 3:17 |
Credits
Personnel
Guitars – Felix Leifur
Bass – Felix Leifur
Synths – Daichi Saito
Keys – Daichi Saito
Strings – Felix Leifur & Daichi Saito
Sampling & Atmosphere – Flexi Lyfseðill
Drums – Flexible Loafers & Stefán Már Þorsteinsson
Drum Machines – Felix Leifur
All songs written by D. Bjarnason
Produced by Felix Leifur & Daichi Saito
Recorded at Thirteen Studios, Reykjavík, Iceland
Mixed by Felix Leifur
Mastered by Bob Macc at Subvert Central
Artwork by Jónbjörn
