PAM pieces featuring Susumu Makai’s easy-going, nicely dawdling, quite peaceful illustrations have just arrived. So, we asked him some questions. And, he made a mix. Tune in :

Spending your time professionally as a musician and an illustrator, I wondered if you approached both in, or with, the same mental state? Is there a ‘Zone’ you must get into?

I try to concentrate on what I’m doing and not think too much about it.

What was your state of mind when you worked on the illustrations for PAM?

I was having a lot of fun drawing freely and quite quickly. Anything goes attitude. I produced a lot of drawings. Some images had originated from things in my sketchbooks, and evolved from there to various degrees. There were ideas for tiles, patterns, coins, characters and other things.

Of your illustrations for the collection, do any of them have personalities that are known to you? Directly, I think I’d like to know about this one :

Where did it come from? Does it have a story? Does it have a purpose? A feeling?

He is a mountain elf and from a dream I had years ago. I made a rough drawing on a piece of paper so I didn’t forget. The environment was mountainous with trees and plants, but everything looked as if made from cut out papers. He and three or four others arrived — flying on a flat diamond shape, like surfing. They had strange movements, with paper-like undulation. I couldn’t remember much details but they were friendly and came to solve some kind of problem. He either told me, or I just knew, that they were mountain elves.

Also wanted to touch on your new record, Spirit Only. I am particularly attracted to ‘Meditative Blip’. It has a kind of nostalgic pang to it for me. What is your favourite song on the record?

Thank you for listening. Hard to pick one favourite. All the songs with guest singers are exciting for me, they brought different worlds to the project and made the collaborations special in each way. ‘Meditative Blip’ started from us messing around with some toy samplers.

You also made a mix! Can you tell me about one song on it, one artist, why you chose it for this mix?

The song, ‘Azawéhoun’ is from a 7” record called “Han Do Kin Dji, Musique Fon”, which I bought from John Coxon, at Atlantis Records near where I live. He played it to me and he was wondering where it’s from. I later found out that the music is from Benin. It has four songs on it — all just percussion and voices. This song features Nestor Gansou. I really like the sound of it and how I encountered this record too, so I thought it’ll be nice to include it in the mix.

PAM X Susumu Mukai is available online and in PAM Stores, while stocks last.