ASA-CHANG&JUNRAY was founded in 1998 by the percussionist and band master of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, ASA-CHANG. 2000,making the FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, ASA-CHANG&JUNRAY was able to play in FUJI ROCK 4 years in a row! In 2001, an inspirational master work “HANA” was released as second album.
Shin Sasakubo is a remarkable, classically trained guitarist from Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture. He lived in Peru from 2004 for four years, including travelling to remote Andean mountain villages to study the indigenous music. On his return he became more interested in the forgotten folk songs of his native chichibu, combined with raising awareness of the destruction of the local sacred mountain of Chichibu, Mount Buko. Mount Buko has long been mined to produce cement, mostly feedling the growth of the infrastruce of Tokyo, it's distorted shape today.
Left resembling a pyramid. Extraordinary album that mixes Peruvian folk and avant garde sounds with a Japanese sensibility. Daisuke Ito - Siku (panpipe), Miho Kimura (vocals) Haruka Shimizu (electric guitar) Naoki Takano (drums) Hiroto Hayashi (voice). Watch the poignant video.
Kara Touge 2. Pyramid 12:30 3.
Amagoi Iwa 4. Daija Kubo 8.
Kokyou Soushitsusha 9. Pyramid Limestone 10. Kodoku no Hone no Yoru 11. Imori Yama-Eboshi Iwa 12.
Nishisandou Hakai no Kioku no Soumatou. 80 tracks, 6 CDs, 6 hours 25 minutes of music. Shuta Hasunuma is well known for his Philharmonic Orchestra project, but has also participated across the performing arts from film, theatre and dance, and provided musical compositions for video, sound sculpture, installations, fashion, films, commercials and more. This 6 CD set is of music he has written for some of these projects between 2012 and 2018. Includes liner notes written by Hasunuma.
Windandwindows MORI Building Others 2016 2. The unseen Panasonic Beauty CM 2016 3.
Between Here and There J-WAVE Ending Theme 2014 4. Instrumental Miu Sakamoto Miu Sakamoto Produce 2014 5. My Philosophy with kotringo SelfCollaboration 2015 6. Acoustic County J-WAVE Opening Jingle 2015 7. ALMA #30-#40- Self 2015 8.Tsuuka remix Kukangendai feat. Hideo Furukawa Kukangendai Remix 2015 9. Ruru Remix Dudley Benson Dudley Benson Remix 2014 10.
YES -instrumental Tamaki Roy Produce 2013 11. Acorn NHK Movie2016 12. Travelling Melodies J-WAVE Ending Theme 2016 13.
Medetai -instrumental Tamaki Roy Produce 2017 14. CHANCE Self Others 2018 15. Birdcalls KIRIN Promotion 2016 16. Bakemono AOMORI MUSEUM OF ART CM 2015 17. Daily Life- Self 2015 18. Friends Zone GYAO!
Promotion 2017 19. Cool Storage MUJI Promotion 2015 20. Stroke -alternative MUJI Promotion2012 21. Smart Theory MUJI Promotion 2016 22.
Simply Fade MUJI Promotion 2017 23. Mobile Stories MUJI Promotion 2016 24. GGG with U-zhaan MUJI Promotion2015 25.
RT -variation MUJI Promotion2016 26. It's six of one and half a dozen of the other MUJI Promotion 2017 27. Walking on our promenade MUJI Promotion 2017 28. Folk Songs MUJI Promotion 2015 29. Drops-Self 2015 30. Handmade musical instrument Workshop in Osaki, Tokyo-Workshop 2013 31. Raccoon DemoTameki no Machi -2015 32.
ZOU-NO-HANA TERRACE SONG Terrace Song Workshop 2012 33. Ride TESS CM 2016 34.
![Asa chang and junray rarities Asa chang and junray rarities](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ubwaLtV0zU8/RwMm64RybWI/AAAAAAAAADE/F3hJInNJbKk/s320/asachangjunray-328x189.jpg)
Many Stripes STRIPE INTERNATIONAL INC. Movie 2016 35.
No Gravity-2015 36. Beauty and Y -instrumental Movie 2016 37. FurnitureTWO-ONE STYLE CM 2017 38.
Music for BROWN SALT BROWN SALT Web 2016 39. 351E60TH454-Self 2018 40. Music for TARO HORIUCHI 2013 S/STARO HORIUCHI Collaboration 2013 41. Music for RMK x TARO HORIUCHI Autumn Winter 2017 42.
Music for TARO HORIUCHI 2015 S/S -scene BTARO HORIUCHI Collaboration 2015 43. Music for TARO HORIUCHI 2015 S/S -scene CTARO HORIUCHI Collaboration 2015 44.
Music for an Echo altneu Collaboration 2013 45. Music for JUDAS, CHRIST WITH SOY -scene solo JUDAS, CHRIST WITH SOY Collaboration 2017 46. Music for JUDAS, CHRIST WITH SOY -after silence JUDAS, CHRIST WITH SOY Collaboration 2017 47. Music for Strange Tales of Love and Strangers -scene 5 Movie 2017 48. Music for MAKU Collaboration 2014 49. Music for Crossing Over NHK Movie 2013 50.
Music for Conditions in 2014 Conditions Collaboration 2014 51. Music for THREE WORLD -scene 6 THREE WORLD Collaboration 2016 52. Music for AIR -Main Theme Movie 2016 53. Music for No BGM NO ARCHITECTS Exhibition 2014 54.
Music for NSK TAISO -instrumental NSKCollaboration 2016 55. GPN -demo-2015 56.
5th Aichi Aichi Triennale 2016 Movie 2016 57. Communal Music-Sound Installation 2016 58. Freezing Point blan Class Exhibition 2016 59. 15 Minutes Eternal J-WAVE SELECTION SHUTA HASUNUMA MEETS ANDY WARHOL Exhibition 2014 60.
Keihan alternative train Exhibition 2015 62. Windandwindows -Mohri Garden MORI Building Others 2016 63. Orusuban -instrumental Akai Ko-en Produce2014 64. Music for 01TARO HORIUCHI Collaboration 2018 65. Waving Flags -instrumental Miu Sakamoto Produce 2014 66.
Requiem -instrumental Tamaki Roy Produce2013 67. For 3 minutes NISSIN Movie 2014 68.
Music for Yasai no Hi -version1 with Takako Minekawa J-WAVE Sound Logo 2016 69. Music for Yasai no Hi -version2 with Takako MinekawaJ-WAVE Sound Logo 2016 70. Music for Yasai no Hi -version3 with Takako Minekawa J-WAVE Sound Logo 2016 71. Music for Yasai no Hi -version 4 withTakako MinekawaJ -WAVESound Logo 2016 72. Music for Yasai no Hi -version 5 with Takako Minekawa J-WAVE Sound Logo 2016 73.
Music for Yasai no Hi -version 6 with Takako Minekawa J-WAVESound Logo 2016 74. Jiyu-ni -instrumental Negicco Produce 2015 75. Music for JUDAS, CHRIST WITH SOY -scene Transition to Stairs 2017 76. Music for AIR -scene drive 2016 77, Disappearance-2016 78.
Music for BACON ICE CREAM Exhibition 2016 79. 5windows eb -alternative Movie 2015 80. Music for SHISEIDO THE STORES Others 2018. New album, first for over four years, from the 16 member contemporary orchestra formed in 2010 by Shuta Hasunuma.
Born in 1983 in Tokyo, Hasunuma collaborates in genres across performing arts, including film, theatre, dance and music. He composes music to accompany video, sound, sculpture and installation works. The 16 members play bass, guitar, drums, synthesizer, saxophone, marimba, steelpan, euphonium, guitar, drums, rap, violin, viola, flute, flugelhorn and glockenspiel 1: Anthropocene - intro 2: Meeting Place 3: Juxtaposition with Tokyo 4: the unseen 5: 4O 6: off-site 7: centers #1 8: centers #2 9: centers #3 10: TIME 11: Bridge Suites 12: NEW 13: Anthropocene - outro. New album, first for over four years, from the 16 member contemporary orchestra formed in 2010 by Shuta Hasunuma. Born in 1983 in Tokyo, Hasunuma collaborates in genres across performing arts, including film, theatre, dance and music. He composes music to accompany video, sound, sculpture and installation works.
The 16 members play bass, guitar, drums, synthesizer, saxophone, marimba, steelpan, euphonium, guitar, drums, rap, violin, viola, flute, flugelhorn and glockenspiel Side A 1: Anthropocene - intro 2: Juxtaposition with Tokyo 3: the unseen 4: Meeting Place Side B 1. Bridge Suites 2. Comes with limited edition DVD with music videos and more.
Jazz mixed with hip hop, electro and other styles with guests including Ego Wrappin', Awich and others. Limited Edition DVD features live tracks from Little Nap, Shibuya, Tokyo, plus music video. Heaven on Earth feat. Deform Reform 6.
Yumemakase feat. Yojiro Noda 9. Drivin' feat. Nao Kawamura 10.
Shun Ikegai from Yahel & Kiala from Kodama 12. Pride Fish Ball 13. Drifter feat.
Ego Wrappin' DVD 1. Awesome Knowledge (Live session at Little Nap Music Stand) 2. Heaven on Earth feat. Awich (Live session at Little Nap Music Stand) 3.
A New Day with Takeshi Kurihara (Live session at Little Nap Music Stand) 4. Yumemakase feat. Yojiro Noda (MV). Maki Asakawa (1942-2010) was a blues/jazz singer, and part of the urban counterculture in the 1970s. An album was released in the UK a couple of years back, which received great reviews, and interest in her, particularly overseas, has been on the increase ever since.
Uramado originally was released in 1973. Konna Fuu Ni Sugite Yuku No Nara 2. When That Man Is Dead And Gone 4. James Infirmary 5. Lonesome Road 6. Trouble In Mind 8. Tobanai Karasu 9.
Machi No Sakaba De 10. Kentauros No Komoriuta. Thirty Third album from the poet, singer, artist, bicycle race commentator, essayist, actor, drinker, gambler also known as the 'screaming philosopher'.
Japanese vagabond poet. Born in 1950, Tomokawa was inspired by Bob Dylan and others and in the early 1970s was part of the folk boom in Japan, setting his poems to music.
He has gone on to have a varied career as an actor, artist among other things. He was the subject of a film by French filmaker Vincent Moon which won several awards. This album features musicians from the groups Pascals on drums, percussion, cello, accordion, piano, alto saxophone adding a different dimension. Gleaming Crayon 2. Tobu Tame no Sora 3.
Shinda Otoko Ni 5. Yume no Ban'nin 6. Daen no Hitsugi Arakaruto 7. Kakumei no Asa 8. Tokoku no Kiki 10.
Omowaku no Dorei 11. San Oni no Nodobue You can watch a short trailer of the recording of this album as well as a trailer for the film potrait by clicking on 'watch'. Out of France, comes the third in a beautifully packaged series titled Enka Mood Collection, with silkcreened gatefold jacket, obi, insert + postcards, featuring leading lights of the Japanese underground and avant-garde scene performing enka songs. Liner notes by Alan Cummings.
Each title in the series is a limited edition split (two artist)10 inch LP. This one features the duo of Tomoyuki Aoki & Harutaka Mochizuki.
Plus another duo, Hasegawa-Shizuo. Tomoyuki Aoki is the guitarist and vocalist of Up-Tight and veteran of numerous strange and wonderful recordings. Harutaka Mochizuki is a multi-instrumentalist known for saxophone improvisations.
Hasegawa-Shizuo is Hirotomi Hasegawa and Shizuo Uchida. Hasegawa is the lead singer of seminal early 80s punk/hardcore group Aburadako (Greasy Octopus) while Uchida was a member of Kenji Haino's Nijimu medeival dream drone unit.
They have been playing together for over ten years. Uchida's mysterious bass textures are set against Hasegawa's hichiriki, an ancient double reed instrument used in gagaku music. Dark, enigmatic enka covers with unique strangeness. Out of France, comes the second in a beautifully packaged series titled Enka Mood Collection, with silkcreened gatefold jacket, obi, insert + postcards, featuring leading lights of the Japanese underground and avant-garde scene performing enka songs. Liner notes by Alan Cummings.
Each title in the series is a limited edition split (two artist)10 inch LP. A Qui Avec Gabriel is a Tokyo based accordion player who has recorded for John Zorn's Tzadik label. On this record she plays piano, in her trademark, style, with elements of European folk, minamalism and melancholia. Tori Kudo meanwhile is another veteran of the Japanese underground scene. Here, however, he can be heard singing, dramtically, enka classics in a karaoke session, showing a before hidden side to his talents.
After forty odd years one of the most important works of the Japanese jazz scene gets a release! Features two Japanese jazz musicians Kazutoki 'Kappo' Umezu (sax) and Yoriyuki Harada (piano, bass clarinet). In the mid 1970s, Umezu and Harada were part of the 'Studio We' new jazz movement in New York.
On this recording made in Studio We in August 1975, they performed with Ahmed Abdullah (trumpet) William Parker (bass) and Rashid Shinan (drums) all of the Sun Ra Orchestra. Seikatsu Kojyo Iinkan was the first band formed by Umezu, and would go on to influence a generation of musicians upon his return to Japan from New York, including Compostella (the late Masami Shinoda), Daisuke Fuwa (Shibasashirazu etc.) and many other artists from the undergound jazz and avant garde scene. Stravizauls (Yori Harada) 2.
Kim (Kappo) 3. Not So Long Don (Kappo). First album from the wonderful Asa-Chang & Junray since 2009. Percussionist Asa-Chang was the founder of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, which he left to form Asa-Chang & Junray in 1998. Ever since, they've been exploring a variety of sounds including the tabla of U-zhaan. Up to the usual high standards, with new members Yoshihiro Goseki (vocals, flute, sax), and Anzu Suhara (vocals, violin, guitar).
Guests include Cornelius and Ani of Scha Dara Parr. Listen to all tracks and watch a live version of one of the tracks.
Aoiro Sanka (Blue Anthem) 2. Mahou (Magic) 3. Betel Nut and Girl 4.
Confession - Prelude 5. Confession 6. A Flower Between the Lines (feat.
Shiina Mota) 7. Mokkin no uta - Xylophone 8. ANI's Endless Exercises 10. Ending (From the film 'Gassoh') 11. Confession (Cornelius Version).
Solo album of shakuhachi from musician known as the saxophone player with Shibusashirazu and Satoko Fujii Orchestra, and also solo guitarist, singer-songwriter, sax player and multi-instrumentalist. Izumi plays different types of shakuhachi and makes his own plastic ones which he plays on some tracks. Improvisation, effects, overdubbing, noise, ambient, traditional, jazz and other sounds, on extraordinary album. From improvised jazz masterpieces to Japanese folk 1.
Mogaribue - improvisation suite - before 2. Mogaribue - improvisation suite -after 3. Song for Che 4. Baka wa miru 6. Improvisation - 8 + 6 length bamboo flutes, Suite- Song for Minority 7.
Akita Kusakariuta 8. Akita Obaku 9. Kagaira Bushi 10. Akita Umakata Uta. Shun Sakai is a legendary performer from the Japanese jazz and avant-garde scene. Since her first album in 1976, she has lived in Manhattan, New York in the 1980s, returned to Japan and has most recently settled in Saigon, Vietnam. She has delved into her unique set of influences to produce an album of various styles, textures and sounds, performing jazz standards, traditional Japanese songs, a poem reading and one of Indonesia's most famous tunes.
She is joined by the 11 piece group The Long Goodbye, who feature several of the most prominent figures in the Japanese jazz and avant-garde scene. Watch the trailer.
Cheek To Cheek 2. My Wild Irish Rose 3. Both Sides Now 5. Okashi to Musume 6. Roku Gatsu no Ame no Yoru Chiruchirumichiru 7. Konpira Fune Fune 8.
I Loves You Porgy 9. Suiba no Sakukoro, Bengawan Solo, Kanpyo 10.
Lonely Woman 11. Mori no Kobito - Ribbon no Kishi 12. Toino no Hara 13. The Long Goodbye 14. Hanamaki Nougakkou Seishinka.
First solo album from saxophone player on which he plays the music of Jacob TV a Dutch a Dutch avant-garde classical composer, whom Oishi has worked with. An amazing blend of cut-ups of human voice and various styles from jazz, classical to contemporary music all played on the saxophone.
Includes Sho-myo, writtten by Oishi inspired by the Japanese Buddhist chant. The Body of Your Dreams 2.
Ta Ta Ta Ta Duo 3. The Garden of Love 5. Take a Wild Guess 7. Syracuse Blues 8.
Broodhe Speculasas Met Kernemelk (Remixed by DJ Sniff). Originally released in 1987, plus the last tracks are from the Blue Tonic 12 inch single. The band comprise Tomio Inoue, (vocals, guitar,The Roosters) Tatsuyuki Hiyamata (bass, ex Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Ryutaro Kihara (keyboards, ex Original Love) Gensho Tanaka (drums, The Thrill, Hoff Dylan). Influenced by The Jam, Style Council with jazz and Shibuya Sound. Syndicate Key 2. I Got A Lovely Girl 3.
Silent Move 4. The Shadow Of Your Smile 6. Grey Turns To Blue 7. Funk It Up 9. Panic In Western 10. Do It Yourself 11. Orange Flower 12.
The Shadow of Your Smile 13. The Face- Family Affair. Utsumi Eika and Munekiyo Hiroshi & Sui-i-test Sound was formed as an experimental project in Osaka in 2005.
The idea, as the album title suggests, was to mix jazz with ohayashi (musical accompaniment for traditional performing arts such as noh). Four musicians from the ohayashi side led by Utsumi (shamisen, taiko, fue (flute), vocals) and four from the jazz side under Munekiyo (trombone, bass, piano, drums) have recorded their first album after ten years of playing together. Trombone plays Japanese traditional tunes and shamisen plays George Gershwin.
It's quite a mix; interesting, entertaining, suprising, invigorating. Take a look at the album sampler. Hiroshi Munekiyo- trombone, Eika Utsumi - shamisen, vocal, trombone, Masakazu Sawa- durms, Shimeta Katsura - taiko, Toshiya Kasamatsu - bass, Kyojyaku Syofukutei- fue, Hiroko Ishida - piano, Akashi Katsura- natimono. 12th Street Rag 2. Tea For Two 3. Don-Don-Bushi 4. In The Mood 5.
'S Wonderful 6. Diamond Head 7. The Tennessee Waltz 8.
In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree 10. Kawata Bushi for Eika- Medley- Chikyuno Ueni Asaga Kuru, Get Out and Get Under the Moon, Dinah, My Blue Heaven 12.
First album from the duo of Fu-Ching (drums, pianica) and Gideon Juckes (tuba, foot keyboard). Gideon played with Bellowhead in the UK before relocating to Japan. There, he's got involved in numerous musical collaborations with Shibusashirazu Orchestra, Orquesta Libre, Cicala Mvta and as a duo with the extraordinary drummer Fu-Ching. They describe their first album as 'heavy rock meets heavy gypsy meets heavy multi-tasking in a bright new musical world they are pioneering together.' The CD comes in LP style cardoard jacket with inner sleeve 1. Hana Uta 02:13 2.
La Critica 02:24 3. Roketto Koen 03:58 4. Sandansko Horo 04:34 5.
In A Persian Market 05:02 6. Ah Ya Bibi 02:32 7. Collaboration album between two of the most acclaimed artists from Japan's alternative/improv/avant-garde music scene.The duo of Junko Fuchigami (vocal, melodian, pianica) and Hiroshi Funato (contrabass, chorus) team up with the 16 member Pascals. Both artists are have played to great acclaim overseas. Fuchigami to Funato are known for their simple set up of essentially bass and vocals, a chaotic mix of eastern inspired melodies and western influences, shifts in speed and improvisational passages that entertain and surprise. Pascals were formed in 1995 by Rocket Matsu and play music on an array of instruments, some almost toy like such as pianica, recorders, and various percussion with accordion, ukulele, violin, banjo.
Rocket Matsu has previously collaborated with the duo, which you can watch from the link below. Shin Sasakubo has been involved in different areas of music, originally with traditional folk, and these days in the avant-garde scene and as a film maker. He bases his work on his home city of Chichibu, Saitama, and on this album he combines his different experiences by playing long forgotten working songs from the Chichibu area with a contemporary twist breathing new life into them. Rather wonderful.
Bukosan no Monogoi Uta 2. Mukouyama de Naku Tori wa (Maritsuki Uta) 3. Korya Tomo Yo, Ohohoi (Hataori Uta) 4.
Sasa Hoi Hoi Hoi (Maritsuki Uta) 5. Hata Kamisama e (Hataori Uta) 6. Mugiuchi Uta 7.
Negai Agemasu Hata Kamisama e (Hataori Uta) 8. Kojo no Yane de Hato ga Naku (Hataori Uta) 9. Kakihara Banto San (Hataori Uta) 10. Oya no Tamedato Junen Nenki (Hataori Uta) 11. Kui Kui (Hataori Uta) 12. Mugiuchi Uta (Arranged by Yuji Takahashi) 13.
Bukosan no Amagoi Uta. Third album from 10 piece Japanese band led by Yasuhiro Yoshigaki, with guests pianist Suga Dairo and tap dancer RonxII. Inspired arrangements of Duke Ellington with contributions from trombonist Aoki Taisei and bassist Suzuki Masato. Other band members include Takao Watanabe (trumpet) Shinya Motomu on guitar and the excellent Gideon Juckes on tuba.
Click listen for an album digest. Take The A Train 2.
Creole Love Call 4. I Got It Bad (And That Aint Good) 5. African Flower 6. Money Jungle 7.
The Mooche 8. Rockin In Rhythm 9. From 2012, second album of Mari Nakamura with Lonesome Strings. Click on Listen to watch a video sample of the album.
Worried Blues 2. Cumberland Blues 3.
That Lucky Old Sun 4. Restless Farewell 5. Born and Livin' with the Blues Bonus Tracks (2011 Live Recordings) 6. Rocky Raccoon 7. Bound to Fall 8.
Heart Like a Wheel DVD- Folklore Session Film 2012 at Izu Studio 1. Fishin' Blues 2. Viola Lee Blues 3. Lonesome for You 4. Going Down the Road Feeling Bad 5.
Ghost Town Dance 7. Fishin' Blues (alt.take) Bonus Track -Live at Shinsekai, Nishiazabu, Tokyo 8. Snow Queen-Deja vu 9. Some Happy Day. Group of jazz musicians who got together following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011, and nuclear accident in Fukushima. Under the guidance of bass player Jyoji Sawada, featuring various luminaries from the Japanese jazz scene, and guest vocalists Sizzle Ohtaka and Ann Sally. Azzurro-prologue 2.
Theme of NNJO 3. Changeable Weather 4.
StrangeToy 5. In The Month of March 6. New Song Of March 7. Azzurro-re-birth 8. Night Rush Hour 9. Mangetsu no Yube (Vo.Ann Sally) 10.
Gray-zone 11. Circle Line 12. Blue March 13. Azzurro - epilogue. Fuchigami to Funato is the duo of Junko Fuchigami (vocals) and Hiroshi Funato (double bass). Simple, western and eastern mix, with some improvisation, melodic passages and lyrics of everyday life.
This is a compilation album of live performances in Europe from 2007 until 2013, compiled by the duo and produced by Hiroshi Funato. Aisatsu (MC) 2. Rokugatsu no Uta 3. Les Champs-Elysees 4. Watashi ni Okoruto Omowanakatta Koto 5. Omiseya-san 6.
Aisazuni Irarenai 9. Naku Onna 10. Nichiyobi Hitori de Dekaketa 11. Kono Machi 12. Boshi ni Chui!
Office Haratori Shaka 14. Mimikuni Kokka 15. Tanabata nite 18. Sono Yugure 19. 2 CD compilation of the very wonderful, unclassifiable Lonesome Strings, playing various stringed instruments. Features Yoshiku Sakurai, Gen Tamura and Satoshi Hara on guitars, banjos, Hawaiian guitars and the late Takayoshi Matsunaga on bass. Shady Grove 2.
Minami No Uwasa -un Rumor Sur- 4. Depression A Go Go 6. Barleycorn Banka -Barleycorn Elegy- 8. Some Happy Day 9. Last Kind Words 10.
Indian War Whoop 11. Maboroshi No Minato -Was That New Orleans? Fly Me To The Moon 13. Inbetweenies 14. Candela CD 2 1. That Lucky Old Sun 2. Some These Days I`ll Be Gone 3.
Uamanna Africano 5. Theme Of Two Worlds 6.
Bear Creek Song 8. Lonesome Cowboy 10. Deep River 11. Here Comes The Sun 12.
Tsundara Bushi 13. Midnight Rider 14. Do I Ever Cross Your Mind 15.
Nikomi Waltz 16. Numa -swamp- 17. Ghost Town Dance 19. Mountain Hymn #1 20. Soundtrack to cult TV drama called Kodoku no Gourmet (Solitary Gourmet), about a man called Goro Inogashira who as a travelling salesman, each day finds a hidden gem 'gourmet' restaurant. Music played by The Screentones comprising Masayuki Qusumi (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukulele, programming, vocals), Satoshi Fukumura (soprano sax, tenor sax, flutes, programming), Shake (keyboards, synthesizers, pianica, programming), Ken Kuriki (drums, percussions, taisho-goto, samping, programming), Denmi (vocals and harmony arrangement on track 21).
Japanese gypsy style jazz guitalist Daisuke Teshima and his trio collaborate with 'super' drummer Ryota Kodera. Five original songs written by Teshima plus Django Reinhardt tunes and Joseph Kosma's Autumn Leaves. Has received great reviews in Japan for the amazing musicianship. Fried Chicken(Teshima Daisuke) 2. Cola(Teshima Daisuke) 3.
Valse Lierre(Teshima Daisuke) 4. Hungaria(Django Reinhardt) 5.
Nuages(Django Reinhardt) 6. Swing12(Teshima Daisuke) 7. Django's Tiger(Django Reinhardt) 8.
Autumn Leaves(Joseph Kosma) 9. Babik(Django Reinhardt) 10. Bonsoir(Teshima Daisuke). Highly rated instrumental group who have now been going for 17 years.
16 member group formed by Rocket Matsu playing an array of instruments including pianica, recorders, accordion, ukulele, banjo and playing everything from Henry Mancini to Brian Eno and of course, Japanese tunes as well. Have played at WOMAD UK, Australia and New Zealand and especially popular in France.This album was recorded between late 2010 and beginning of 2011. The final stages were postponed because of the Tohoku Earthquake in March 2011, but is now completed.
Rokugatsu no Ame no Yoru, Chiru Chiru Michiru wa 6. El Don Gavacho 9.
Double album (vocal and instrumental) by interesting female musician who sings, plays piano, melodion, recorder, kazoo and toys on this album. Bouncy, jazzy songs accompanied by a big band on bass, tuba (Takero Sekizima of Kuricorder Quartet), trombone, clarinet, accordion, guitar, percussion and others. Fourth album and first for seven years. Kawa-dori no S 2. Koppu, Kippu, Kippu, Kiteki 3. Ohayo Kutsushita 4.
Kaiju no Nijimu Machi 5. Oyasumi Okaeri 6. Hassha All Right 7.
Nagagutsu Sanka 8. Coffe Kajita de 9.
I Want To Be Your Sunshine 10. Wasuremono wa Naine? Machiya no Hei 12. This Is The Music Disc Nashi 1.
Happy Trick 2. Nichimachi Dori Shoten-gai 3.
Barbar Kanariya 4. Rendezvous 5.
Kage to Arukeyo 6. Denkyu no Kuse 7. Pineapple no Teppen 8.
Nanachome no Akubi 9. Obake no Melody 10.
Nathan to Roba 11. Happo Roppo Renshu-kyoku 12. Higashi no Machi ni Biwa no Naru. One of the top Japanese jazz drummers Sadakazu Tabata collaborates with string player Neko Saito. Jazz standards in a lounge atmosphere with Tabata's mellow drumming and Saito's gorgeous string arrangement. Moanin' (Bobby Simmons) 2.
Smile (Cahrles Chaplin) 3. Thomas (Sonny Rollins) 4. Stardast (Hoagy Carmichael) 5. Suteki na Anata (Sholom Secunda) 6. Bugs Groove (Milt Jackson) 7.
As Times Go By (Herman Hupfeld) 8. Fly Me To The Moon (Bart Howard) 9. Young At Heart (Johnny Richards) 10. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life (Stevie Wonder) 11. Cute (Neal Hefty) 12.
Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma). Trio consiting of Yoko Yoko Tada (alto sax, bass clarinet, melodion, vocals), Kanji Nakao (soprano sax, clarinet, trombone) and Takero Sekizima (tuba, alto recorder).
All three are veterans of the Japanese underground/improv scene, playing with groups such as Katsura Mazurka, Cosmopolitan Cowboys, Compostela, Strada, Cicala Mvta, Kuricorder Quartet and many others.They've been playing together since 2005 and have come up with an album of mostly original tracks, plus improvisations, a Sidney Bechet tune and a Turkish traditional piece. Fantastic musicianship, strange yet accessible, sometimes melancholic, sometimes joyous, always intriguing.
Listen to samples of all tracks. 1.Yashi no Mi, Ochita Yo 2. Penguin Aruki 3. Improvisation #1 4.Kumo o Aruku 5.Odradek's Rumba 6.
Improvisation #2 7.Minami California Dentetsu 8.Chiisa na Hana (Sydney Bechet) 9. Wata to Mugi10. Plevine Marsi (Turkish Traditional) 11. Improvisation #3 12. Soundtrack to the acclaimed film directed by Cedric Dupire and Gaspard Kuentz. Featuring many of the leading musicians of the Tokyo avant-garde music scene.
Brilliant album featuring many artists we have featured for years. Untitled - Jaike Stambach 2. Modulation For Guitar And Garbage Landfill - Otomo Yoshihide / Jaike Stambach 3. Dust - Sakamoto Hiromichi 4. Long Waves Radio, Turntable & Modified Guitar pt.1 - Otomo Yoshihide 5. Sogu / Wakai- Umi no Yeah!!
The Appropriate Container - Numb & Saidrum / Jaike Stambach 7. Crossing Lane - L?K?O / Goth-Trad 8. Shinden - Numb & Saidrum 9. Amplified Womb - Yamakawa Fuyuki 10. Discount Wanderers - Sakamoto Hiromichi / Yamakawa Fuyuki Jaike Stambach 11. Closer To The Screen - L?K?O 12.
Cue - Numb & Saidrum / Otomo Yoshihide 13. Ohayo Death Goodbye The Earth - Kirihito / Sakamoto Hiromichi 14. Long Waves Radio, Turntable & Modified Guitar pt.2 - Otomo Yoshihide 15. Paper, Plastic or Can?- L?K?O / Goth-Trad 16. Screen Memory - Sakamoto Hiromichi.
Impressive compilation of works by Asa-Chang, former leader of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and brilliant percussionist and drummer, as producer of other artists. Released on Ryuichi Sakamoto's Commmons label. Chara / Duca 2. Moonriders / Koibito Ga Nemutta Ato Ni Utau Uta 3.
Hitomitoi / Ima Parkway 4. Kazmi with Rickies / Preach 5.
Piranhans / Stompin' at the Savoy 6. Ichi Yuri / Sayonara No Himitsu 7. UA / Senkou 8. Miyuki Hatakeyama with Asa-Chang & Blue Hearts / Chiisana Ki no Mi 9. Mayumi Kojima / Rock Steady Girl 10.
Kyoko Koizumi / Koizumi Kyoko wa Boogie Woogie Boogie 11. Sakerock All Stars / Honto No Dekigoto 12. Bronsons, Asa-Chang, Hige Oyajis Gasshodan / Emanuelle Fujin no Theme (Real Slave Mix).
Nelories / Popstars 14. Violent Onsen Geisha / Kuro No Funauta 15. Jun Kurihara / Shiroki Miyako 16.
Kohmi Hirose / Koko Ni Sachi Ari Listen to samples of all tracks. Hiromichi Sakamoto is an extraordinary cello player who has played with Cicala Mvta, UA, Otomo Yoshihide and many more. Known for his musical saw and electronic effects, he is one of the leading lights of the Tokyo avant-garde underground. This is his soundtrack to an art animation by Keita Kurozaka, who spent 13 years making the film.
Great list of accompanying musicians including Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi and Takero Sekijima (Kuricorder Quartet). Saxes, trumpets, tuba, violin, vibraphone, koto and other instruments make this an extraordinary soundtrack to an extraordinary film. Takero Sekijima is one of Japan's unheralded musical talents. Playing tuba and recorder, he was a member of the pioneering group Compostela in the 1980s, played on Okinawan Tetsuhiro Daiku's brilliant albums in the mid 90s, is a member of Cicala Mvta and Kuricorder Quartet. This album contains his compositions from three soundtracks. He is joined by musicians he has collaborated with for many years, such as Kenji Kondo (Kuricorder Quartet), Kanji Nakao and several others.
Cram School 4. Shoeshine in Morning - Endroll 6. The Old Man and Kite 8. Mr 'Thank You' 11. Cherry Blossoms and Kite 12. Good Night 15. Immortality 16.
Fish of Light. Outakes from the recording session for the Shibusashirazu meets Kuricorder Quartet album, Shibu-Kuri, which for various reasons didn't make the final album. Nevertheless, these were deemed interesting enough to put on this album, togther with some live tracks from their much praised live show. Pythagoraswitch Opening Theme 2. Mayonnaise Dai-niban 3. Hotel Lasalle 1986 4. Pythagoraswitch Opening Theme 5.
Mayonnaise Dai-niban 7. Hotel Lasalle 1986 8. Up On A Moon Hill-keirin Wo Kudatte Tuki No Oka Wo Noboru- 9. Gekka No Ichigun 10. Sutekichi 13.
Shibu-Kuri live, celebrating the release of the album Shibu-Kuri, a joint project of two of Japan's great innovative bands, 1. Pythagoraswitch Opening Theme 2. Mayonnaise Dai-niban 7.
Mayonnaise Dai-niban 8. Up On A Moon Hill -keirin Wo Kudatte Tuki No Oka Ni Noboru- 11. Up On A Moon Hill -keirin Wo Kudatte Tuki No Oka Ni Noboru- 12.
Hotel Lasalle 1986 13. Gekka No Ichigun 14. Gekka No Ichigun 17. Pythagoraswitch Opening Theme. Kaoru Tanaka is a jazz guitarist who likes to perform with Japanese traditional instruments. Tanaka is an accomplished musician, playing jazz fusion style on electric and synth guitar.
The music is more fusion than Japanese traditional with shakuhachi and koto following the guitar parts, but it's all done with great skill and integrity. Musicians are Kaoru Tanaka guitar, guitar synthesizer, Bruce Huebner shakuahchi, Kayoko Nakagawa koto, Takeshi Obayashi piano, Evan Marien bass.
Cicada, Rain and The Atmospher 2. To The Air From The Air 3.
Ephemeroptera 4. Black Blossom 6. Rhapsody from Island. Now Tokyo resident, ex Sonic Youth member Jim O'Rourke has put together a rather wonderful tribute to Burt Bacharach. O'Rourke himself sings on one track - and plays guitar, bass and other instruments on other tracks- as does Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and a superb cast of Japanese musicians such as Haruomi Hosono and Kahimi Kari. Close To You / Haruomi Hosono 2. Always Something There To Remind Me / Thurston Moore 3.
Anonymous Phone Call / Etsuko Yakushimaru 4. After The Fox / Akira Sakata & Masaya Nakahara 5. You'll Never Get To Heaven / Yoichi Aoyama 6. Do You Know The Way To San Jose / Kahimi Karie 7. Don't Make Me Over / Chu Kosaka 8. Raindropskeep Falling On My Head / Mitsuko Koike 9. Say A Little Prayer For Me / Yoshimi 10.
Planes Boats And Trains / Jim O'Rourke 11. Walk On By / Donna Taylor. Formed in 1992, Osaka Monaurail are Japan's longest running and best funk band.
Named after a JB's funk track, the band went on to support the JB's when they toured Japan and in 2006 backed singer Marva Whitney when she toured Japan. Hard edged funk, brilliantly played and well appreciated by a Spanish crowd. CD and 50 minute DVD. CD Live In Spain - Recorded November 6, 2008 1. Introduction 2. Message To Love 4. Introduction 5.
Down & Out 6. Ain't it Funky, Now 8. Walk On By 11. Just Bein' Free 13. If You're Doin' It, Kee On Doin' It (Do It Well) 14. New New Type Thing 15.
Groovy, Groovy, Groovy DVD - Live In Europe- recorded October 29 - November 23, 2008 1. (My Baby is) Down And Out 2. Just Bein' Free 4. Double-up, Now 5. If You're Doin' It, Keep On Doin' It (Do It Well) 6.
New New Type Thing 7. Groovy, Groovy, Groovy. New album from the the big band led by Satoko Fujii, world renowned pianist composer known for blending jazz with classical, traditional Japanese folk and other styles. Musicians are Sachi Hayasaka -s.sax a.sax, Kunihiro Izumi- a.sax, Kenichi Matsumoto, Masaya Kimura -t.sax, Ryuichi Yoshida -b.sax, Natsuki Tamura, Yoshihito Fukumoto, Takao Watanabe, Yusaku Shirotani -trumpet, Haguregumo Nagamatsu, Yasuyuki Takahashi, Toshihiro Koike- trombone, Kelly Churko-guitar, Toshiki Nagata-bass, Akira Horikoshi- drums 1.Negotiation Steps 2.Desert Ship 3.Zee 4.Sakura 5.Tropical Fish 6.Zakopane 7.Trout 8.Inori. Very assured and original first album from 20 year old female composer and pianist. Stradling the line between pop, classical and avant-garde, the album features four female vocalists, Julia Marcell from Poland, plus Japanese Ayu Okakita, Saho Terao and Mariko Otsuka.
Sometimes dark and broody, sometimes light and melancholic, constantly absorbing. Worlds End Village/Rites of Beginning 2. Tin Soldier 3. The Thief -Nusubito- 4. The Place Where We Will Be Reached 6.
The Spinning Wheel 7. Good value 5 CD set of 100 tracks that chart the course of Japanese jazz from the 1920s to the 1990s with such luminaries as Tadaharu Nakano, Fumio Minamizato, Shizuko Kasagi, Hibari Misora, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Sadao Watanabe, Terumasa Hino, Eiji Kitamura, Takeshi Iromota, Nobuo Hara with his Sharps and Flats, Toshiyuki Miyama and New Herd, Kazumi Watanabe, Shigeru Mukai, Yasuaki Shimizu, Saori Yano and Akiko Grace. 25 tracks- Early Jazz Songs CD2. 19 tracks - Dixieland, Swing, Be-Bop & Big Bands.
18 tracks - Modern Jazz CD4. 16 tracks - Contemporary Jazz CD5.
23 tracks -90s- Vocal Standards. Second album from Thirdiq, the solo project of guitarist/producer Yukihiro Atsumi. Atsumi is a top session player in various genres, such as jazz, electro, soul and ambient music, playing with Orquesta de la Luz, Soil & Pimp Sessions and many more. He's enlisted the help of over 30 of his friends such as Shota Hishiyama, ex keyboard player with Soil & Pimp Sessions, Shinpei Ruike, trumpet player with Naruyoshi Kikuchi Dub Sextet and Kenji Yoshiura, ex percussion player with Izanami. 12 tracks including a cover of Lauyrn Hill's 'To Zion'. To Zion (feat. Lovers Fiction feat.
Beyond the Fields Interlude 5. A King of Nocturne 7. All Things in the Universe feat.
284 Cures 11. Letters- Theme of Film - Love in the Imaginary Axis. Excellent new album from the percussionist Asa-Chang, ex band master of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. Guest musicians are Ryuichi Sakamoto, Rina Ohta, Kankuro Kudo with a remix by Talvin Singh. Released on Sakamoto's Commmons label. Kotoba wo Renko Suru to Dounaru 2. Kage no Nai Hito 3.
Chestnuts Street 5. Sabadiilla 6. Wohan no Hito 7. Show me the Way to Go Home 8.
Kage no Nai Hito - Lehara-tronics Mix 10. 12 Bushi-24.22.46 Remix- Remixed by Talvin Singh 11. Kakunin no Uta. Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi is a wind instrument player. Among the many groups he has played with, are Shibusashirazu, for whom he plays sax, and Kuricorder Quarter, when he plays recorder. On this album, Kawaguchi and his band mates from each group play the music of the other group. A bit of a bizzare idea, but these kinds of musicians are full of wonderful and weird ideas.
Pitagora Switch Opening Theme 2. Mayonese Dainidan 3. Honda Komuten no Theme 4. Hotel La Salle 1986 5. Gekka no Ichigun 7. Up On A Moon Hill 8. Umi o Wataru Kaze 10.
Gekka no Ichigun 13. Best takes from the last five years of the live sessions recorded at the event 'Life Begins at 40' organised by Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi (saxophone, recorder) who has played with a number of groups over the years including Compostela, Lonesome Strings, Strada, Cicala Mvta, Kuricorder Quartet and Shibusashirazu. Includes some tracks which were recorded at special sessions held to mark Kuricorder Quartet's 10 year annniversary concert. Other musicians are Yoshiki Sakurai (electric guitar), Kenji Kondo (accoustic guitar), Takero Sekijima (tuba, recorder), Itoken (drums), Kanji Nakao (sax on one track) 1. Knock On Wood 2. Baby, You're My Destiny 3.
Kawaguchi kun no Osusume Trad 4. Flaming Flowers 5. African Marketplace 6. There Will Be Happy Meeting 7.
Some Happy Day 8. Nijuseiki Kishu 9. Hotel La Salle 1986 10. Mayonese Dainiban 11. Gekka no Ichigun. Live album from the eccentric instrumentalists playing recorder and other instruments.
Recorded during a nine date tour throughout Japan in 2008. Plus live DVD. Toku No Tomodachi 2. The Path To The Sea (Guest: Tanaka Aya) 3. Furisosogenai Ame (Guest: Tanaka Aya) 4. Two Dances From Netherlands 5. Bidge Of Sighs (Guest: Yukawa Shione) 6.
Sayonara No Omajinai (Guest: Matsumoto SoGoing Under Ground) 7. Twister (Guest: Matsumoto SoGoing Under Ground) 8. Kokage Railroad 9.
Evening View 10. 1000 Bridges Across Summer & Autumn 11. Riparian Life (Guest: Suzuki Hirobumi) 12. Toki No Ressya (Guest: Suzuki Hirobumi) 13.
Minimal Country 14. Umi No Futa (Guest: Hara Masumi) 15. January (Guest: Hara Masumi) 16. Kiyoraka-na Sanbi 17.
Pythagora Switch Opening Theme 18. Grandpapa`s Eleven Month DVD 1.
Country March 2. Kokage Railroad 3. Sayonara No Omajinai (Guest: Matsumoto SoGoing Under Ground) 4. Twister (Guest: Matsumoto SoGoing Under Ground) 5. Apao No Kaigai Shucchou 6. 1000 Bridges Across Summer & Autumn 7.
The Path To The Sea (Guest: Tanaka Aya) 8. Toki No Ressya (Guest: Suzuki Hirobumi) 9. January (Guest: Hara Masumi) 10. Pythagora Switch Opening Theme 11. Grandpapa`s Eleven Month. Coba is one of the world's leading accordionists, who has had over 30 albums released in his native Japan as well as Europe.
He was a member of Bjork's band and has spent over 15 years touring around the world. Latest album is a contemporary blend of accordion with bass, drums, guitar, programming and strings.
My Sweet Trickster 2. A Crown of Roses 4. First Love but Shy 5.
Beauty is Curiousity 6. Rain, Fine Later 7. Marco Polo - the Purpose 8. A Taxi Named Memory 9. Eye Royal 11.
Love Bamboo Disco 12. Someone to Watch Over Me. Double Famous could be described as a 10 piece jazz band, but that doesn't tell half the story. Double Famous play what they describe as 'mukokuseki ongaku' - new wave world music or a kind of urban nomadic sound. Their music incorporates Afrobeat, Latin-Jazz, Hawaiian, Japanese traditional and just about any other form of music that takes their fancy. The group were formed by multi-instrumentalist Takuji Aoyagi, who is also leader of Little Creatures, while other members include Satoshi Kuribayashi on ukulele, Shuichiro Sakaguchi on trumpet and several percussion players. This is their fifth album, and has probably more variety than ever before, with bits of surf, 50s style musical and New Orleans music.
Tu Mera Main Teri Duniya Jale to Jale 2. Also Sprach Zarathustra 3. Me & Bobby McGee 4. Hot House of Omagarashid 5. O-papa- Shame and Scandal in the Family 6.
A Woman is A Sometime Thing 7. Aishi no Honeymoon 8. Waltz on Tuesday 10. Drum Samba 13. The superb Rovo are made up by some of Japan's main players in the underground scene. These include violinist Yuji Katsui and Seiichi Yamamoto guitarist with Boredoms, plus others who have played with Yoshihide Otomo, Dub Squad, Demi Semi Quaver, Bondage Fruit, Bazooka Joe and others.
They are favourites on the Japanese club and festival circuit, their music being a kind of spiritual, minimalist dance music with a wide range of influences from techno and house to jazz, Latin, progressive rock and world music. Milk are an acoustic instrumental duo, consisting of accordion player Yuko Ikoma, and contrabass player Kosuke Shimizu. Their music has been described as 'Japanese New Exotica', original, slightly mysterious, slightly jazzy, always engaging. They perform at temples, galleries etc.and have played overseas. This is their first album for five years.
Antique Gold 3. Intermezzo Op.
Avant Fermentation 7. Rosa Mundi 9.
Smoky Dawn 10. Rosa Moschata 11. Two Ripples 12. Mano Seca 13. Sometime Sweet 14.
Waltz, Waltz. The excellent Kuricorder Quartet have recorded a new album with various guest singers including UA, Hirofumi Suzuki (Moon Riders), Masumi Hara and Shione Yukawa. Slightly bizzarely their biggest fan overseas seems to be Iain Lee of Virgin Radio, who even went to Japan to see them play live and spent the day with them in Tokyo. This album is as good place as any to find out why.
Apao`s Trip 2. Toku No Tomodachi 4. The Path To The Sea 5. Evening View 6. The Dances From Netherlands 7. Bridge Of Sighs 8. 1000 Bridges Across Summer & Autumn 9.
Toki No Ressya 10. Minimal Country 11.
Popo Loouise (Album Version) 12. Vinho Verdes & Flamingo 13. A Theme Of Mother`s Little Helper 14. Sayonara No Omajinai 15. Drive To Green Beach (Short Edit) 17. CD Extra Music Clip. Aki Takase is a female jazz pianist who is a long time resident of Berlin, Germany, who has played with Lester Bowie, John Zorn, Joe Henderson, Evan Parkers and many others.
On this extraordinary album she is joined by bassist Nobuyoshi Ino, although between them they also perform on qin (Chinese koto), gong, glockenspiel, kokyu and chanchiki. Some tracks mix jazz with Chinese traditional sounds while others are out-there avant-garde jazz. Hyakka Ryouran 2. Song for Che 4. Wagakokoro no Renaissance 5. Biwa Rancho Ni Ari 7.
Hanyu no Yado. One of the main names from the Tokyo underground scene, Killing Floor are an avant garde pop jazz band under the leadership of sax player Pete Mikio Fukushima. Band line-up: Pete Mikio Fukushima (alto & soprano sax), Shinichiro Sekiguchi (trumpet), Kenta Hamano (trombone), Woody Moja (stick bass), Atsushi Nakazato (drums), Tomomi Takenoya (percussion), Daichi Ito (percussion & drums). Live album recorded in 2005.
8 tracks.1.S-Ska 2. Waltz for K 3.
Gorden Elephant 4. Hurricane Sally 5.
Dub Biginners 6. Sea Monkey 8. Second album from the excellent jazz combo led by saxophonist Naruyoshi Kikuchi, who has played with Spank Happy, UA and many more. More jazz than dub, their sound recalls 60s experimental jazz of Miles Davis or Herbie Hancock, with electronics, other effects, hip-hop and breakbeats alongside saxophones, piano, bass and drums.Played a successful set at Fuji Rock Festival in 2008.
I've Lost my Taylor Burton 2. Monkey Mush Down 7.
Dismissing Lounge from the Limbo. Thirdiq describe themselves as a spiritual jazz, jam, electronica, soul, chillout project. Features Shota Hishiyama (original member of Soil & 'Pimp' Sessions) and other top jazz musicians. Lyrics are in English on an album of mostly laid back jazz. Members are: Yukihiro Atsumi (gtr) Shota Hishiyama (key.) Masanori Amakura (dr.) Shinpei Ruike (tp.) Kenji Yoshiura (perc.) Miya (fl.) Maru (vo.) Hanah (vo.) Track listing: 1. The World is Wideopen 2.
I Hear the Music 3. Beyond the Fields, Past 4. Beyond the Fields, Now 5. Beyond the Fields, Future. Possibility 9.
Break of Dawn Before.11. Nettai Tropical Jazz Big Band is the project of Shingo 'Carlos' Kanno, one of the founders of the acclaimed Orquesta de la Luz.
Formed 12 years ago, this is their 11th album and based on the theme of dance and groove, and they certainly know how to kick up a storm. 1 Let's Groove (original Earth Wind and Fire) 2. Can't Give you Anything (But My Love) (Sylistics) 3. Pick up the Pieces (Average White Band) Hip to Be Square (Huey Lewis) C'est La Vie (Robbie Nevil) Elegant People (Weather Report) Fly Me to the Moon (Frank Sinatra) Descarga Tropical, Enamorada, Somebody I Know (originals). The amazing Kazutoki Umezu is one of Japan's, make that the world's, best saxophone players. A stellar player of jazz, and a truly fantastic improviser and collaborator.
From his own klezmer and progressive jazz groups to playing with Ian Dury's Blockheads to collaborations with John Zorn, Lester Bowie, Marc Ribot, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Okinawan musician Tetsuhiro Daiku and Japanese shamisen player Michihiro Sato. Kiki Band is Umezu's project since 1999, based on jazz and rock, with hints of the Middle East. Powerful and dynamic a kind of scaled down version of Shibasashirazu with four members. These are Takeharu Hayakawa on bass, (Shibusashirazu, Coil) Natsuki Kido on guitar and drummer Kozo Niida (Komatcha Klezmer and many more).
Recorded live at the Moers Festival in 2003. 6 tracks, 67 minutes. Rovo consist of some of Japan's greatest underground musicians-electric violin player Yuji Katsui, guitarist Seiichi Yamamoto (Boredoms) Yasuhiro Yoshigaki on percussion (Otomo Yoshihide, Shibusashirazu) Yoichi Okabe (percussion) Jin Harada (bass) and Tatsuki Masuko (Dub Squad). Their music is a sort of cross between dub, krautrock, techno, house, progressive and improv, in other words indefinable. Condor is a one hour suite divided into three parts, Aires, nPopo and Land. Strange, weird, magnificent.
Since they were formed in 1995 Rovo has combined the talents of musicians who have had track records and success with a number of different outfits. Guitarist Seiichi Yamamoto (Boredoms) bassist Jin Hara (Bazooka Joe), keyboards Tatsuki Masuko (Dub Squad).
In more recent years drummer/percussionist Yoichi Okabe (the Thrill, keyboards Hiroshi Nakanishi (Dub Squad), drummer Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (Otomo Yoshide) and violinist Yuji Katsui, who has become the band's producer and leader. Their music blends hypnotic rhythms, dub with psychedelia and the group have garnered a reputation for their live shows. Mon was released in 2004 afterwhich Nakanashi departed the band.
Jyoji Sawada has been involved in a number of different areas of music and styles, but always seems to be involved in something, challenging and of high quality. These include Brazilian music with his group Choro Club, Arto Lindsey, Jacques Morelebaum, Chinese music with erhu player Teresa Wong, producing shamisen players Toru Yonaha (Okinawa) and Masahiro Nitta (Japan) electronics and soundtracks. This is an album of Sawada's 'chamber music' from 1995. At times, slow and reflective, other times manic and weird, constantly engaging the listener. Includes a version of Pink Floyd's One of These Days, played on shakuhachi and koto. Much championed by Giles Peterson, on his BBC Worldwide programme, Soil & 'Pimp' Sessions is an explosive jazz band of six musicians; Shacho (agitator, spirit), Tabuzombi (trumpet), Motoharu (sax), Josei (piano), Akita Goldman (bass) and Midoryn (drums).
At its core, the group is about giving pulsating live performances. Soil and 'Pimp' Sessions combine the highest musicianship with the coolest of cool sounds and atmosphere. Their brand of jazz is rough around the edges, unadulterated entertainment and constantly kept at boiling point. In 2003 they had no commercial recordings available, yet that year on reputation alone were invited to perform at Japan's premier festival, Fuji Rock. It was a defining moment, lapped up by those lucky enough to witness it, hugely praised and one of the major talking points of the entire festival.
The group defies boundaries and genres, attracting listeners of jazz, club and rock. Pimp Master is their their first full album.