introducing expectations
I got a comment under my previous post asking for some j-music recommendations! *proud and waving it in your faces*
I'm not sure if I should do that though, as my personal tastes are... you know, specific. I can, however, share my recent finds, and hope to learn something new from you. 'That would be very nice' as the lyrics of a certain samba song say.
I lied, the very first artist I'm going to introduce isn't new at all. Chances are, you know him very well, as he's been around for years. His name is:
Shugo Tokumaru
Tokumaru's music makes me feel like it's already summer. I only discovered him a few days ago and instantly fell in love with his soothing, delicate music. He incorporates a lot of wooden percussion instruments and bells in his arrangements that form a kind of warm white noise. He tends to experiment with sound a lot, but still manages to produce songs one can enjoy (as opposed to the kind of experimental music you 'appreciate' for it's purely theoretical value, but left alone with it - can't stand listening to for longer periods of time). I also like him for using traditional Asian instruments not as means of obvious folk stylization, but simply for their sound suits his vision, the result of which comes to sound a bit folk-like.
Merpeoples
I must admit I am still getting used to their other songs, after loving this one from first listen. It's definitely the best of Metropolis album (a rare instance when the single actually IS the best track, not just the most catchy), which doesn't mean the other aren't good. They are actually more on the Japanese indie rock side, but with the oh-so-desired virtue of being properly arranged and sung in key. On a side note, I'm usually not big on girl rock bands from Japan, as they tend to be punk-ish and equipped with particularly squeaky-voiced vocalists. However, there are exceptions, and it seems Merpeoples is one of them.
winnie
Another recent discovery of mine, although they, just like Tokumaru, appear to have been around for some time, so they may not be new to you. I got interested because they have two main vocalists - male and female, a concept that worked great for Barbee Boys, and turned out interesting for Supercar as well. winnie work it out in a less alternative-eats-your-brain way, but they still manage to catch my ever escaping attention and glue it to their tracks so that I don't fast-forward. Although generally a rock band, they have that 'something' you can usually find in some alternative pop acts in Japan. I know I'm out for a fight here, but I honestly find more similarities between winnie and waffles, risette or (paradoxically) even sleepy.ab than, say, MUCC. Strong Supercar inheritance, maybe that's why.
Raujika
Today's gem. I mean it, I stumbled upon him while searching for winnie's PV and 'somehow' wandering off in the general direction of not-jazz-anymore I usually put my mind to rest with (as in Tsunenori, Michita or Dj Okawari). There's a big chance you're goinna get bored, as his style tends to fall well into the category of illustrative music, and as that - isn't exactly full of fireworks. However, the way he mixes mild, melodic electro-jazz with hiphop, be it just rhythm or actual rapping, is an acquirement in itself. If you liked Nujabes, you're gonna feel at home with Raujika.
That would be it for this week's finds. I might be back with more... or not ;).
I'm not sure if I should do that though, as my personal tastes are... you know, specific. I can, however, share my recent finds, and hope to learn something new from you. 'That would be very nice' as the lyrics of a certain samba song say.
I lied, the very first artist I'm going to introduce isn't new at all. Chances are, you know him very well, as he's been around for years. His name is:
Shugo Tokumaru
Click to viewTokumaru's music makes me feel like it's already summer. I only discovered him a few days ago and instantly fell in love with his soothing, delicate music. He incorporates a lot of wooden percussion instruments and bells in his arrangements that form a kind of warm white noise. He tends to experiment with sound a lot, but still manages to produce songs one can enjoy (as opposed to the kind of experimental music you 'appreciate' for it's purely theoretical value, but left alone with it - can't stand listening to for longer periods of time). I also like him for using traditional Asian instruments not as means of obvious folk stylization, but simply for their sound suits his vision, the result of which comes to sound a bit folk-like.
Merpeoples
I must admit I am still getting used to their other songs, after loving this one from first listen. It's definitely the best of Metropolis album (a rare instance when the single actually IS the best track, not just the most catchy), which doesn't mean the other aren't good. They are actually more on the Japanese indie rock side, but with the oh-so-desired virtue of being properly arranged and sung in key. On a side note, I'm usually not big on girl rock bands from Japan, as they tend to be punk-ish and equipped with particularly squeaky-voiced vocalists. However, there are exceptions, and it seems Merpeoples is one of them.
winnie
Another recent discovery of mine, although they, just like Tokumaru, appear to have been around for some time, so they may not be new to you. I got interested because they have two main vocalists - male and female, a concept that worked great for Barbee Boys, and turned out interesting for Supercar as well. winnie work it out in a less alternative-eats-your-brain way, but they still manage to catch my ever escaping attention and glue it to their tracks so that I don't fast-forward. Although generally a rock band, they have that 'something' you can usually find in some alternative pop acts in Japan. I know I'm out for a fight here, but I honestly find more similarities between winnie and waffles, risette or (paradoxically) even sleepy.ab than, say, MUCC. Strong Supercar inheritance, maybe that's why.
Raujika
Today's gem. I mean it, I stumbled upon him while searching for winnie's PV and 'somehow' wandering off in the general direction of not-jazz-anymore I usually put my mind to rest with (as in Tsunenori, Michita or Dj Okawari). There's a big chance you're goinna get bored, as his style tends to fall well into the category of illustrative music, and as that - isn't exactly full of fireworks. However, the way he mixes mild, melodic electro-jazz with hiphop, be it just rhythm or actual rapping, is an acquirement in itself. If you liked Nujabes, you're gonna feel at home with Raujika.
That would be it for this week's finds. I might be back with more... or not ;).