VA - Toronto Sakura - Mix by Marinko (2021)

Why are Cherry Blossoms special? Sakura are a symbol of the ephemeral essence of beauty. It is important to recognize and immerse oneself in the beauty of life because, before you know it, the moment may be gone.

In 1959, Japanese Somei-Yoshino Sakura trees were donated to the city of Toronto on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo. A beautiful orchard was planted in High Park on the west end of Downtown Toronto, adjacent to Grenadier Pond. Every spring, when the trees are in full bloom, "I Love Promise" creates a free community picnic in High Park's Sakura grove celebrating the beauty of the season and the tradition of ambient / experimental music in Japan. In Spring 2020, the event was cancelled due to the global pandemic. The same is true in Spring 2021, so Marinko created this mix to share the spirit of the season and celebrate beauty with a selection of songs from Kompakt's Pop Ambient recordings. The Pop Ambient compilation series celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2021, music from all 20 years can be purchased through the website. Marinko is a music consultant, artist & DJ based in Niagara Falls, Canada. Marinko was a part of the Vinyl Interventions Trio with Esther Bourdages and Carrie Gates of Montreal. Together with Marcie Bronson, he was the curator and co-creator of the site specific concert series Echo at Rodman Hall Art Centre. Marinko assisted Richie Hawtin and the team at Plus 8 Records on a simulcast of their Neroli ambient music events and he worked closely with Mono Records of Helsinki, Finland which released some of his music at the turn of the century. Marinko is the resident DJ at Stratus Vineyards in Niagara On The Lake, the first LEED certified winery in the world, blending old-world assemblage winemaking with modern design and environmental responsibility. Also notable, Marinko has had at least two memes approved on TWTMEGP (possibly three).