Sunday, June 29, 2003

>> J-pop new releases for the month of July 2003

• 2nd: Eriko Imai’s “Butterfly” (AVCD-16040) with the themes of the song being “Skies”, “Dreams” and “Voyages”.
• 9th: DA PUMP’s 18th single “Night Walk” (AVCT-30075) marks their 7th year in the J-pop scene.
• 9th: Folder 5 alumni AKINA’s 2nd single “One wish” (AVCT-30076).
• 16th: “Put ‘Em Up” (AVCD-30467) — Namie Amuro’s follow-up to “shine more” (released on March 5, 2003). Produced by Dallas Austin.

>> My picks for the Album of the Year

We’re at the halfway point to the end of 2003 so what better time than now to roundup my favorite albums of the year?

Best J-pop Album of the Year (a tie):
Suite Chic (Namie Amuro) “When Pop Hits the Fan”

HY’s “Street Story”

Best O-pop Album of the Year:
Rimi Natsukawa’s “Sora no Keshiki”

Best Minyou Album of the Year:
Chihiro Kamiya’s “Miyarabi Shimauta”

Newcomer’s Award:
Ryouko Kuninaka’s “RyûKyû Moon”

>> Pics from Banda Tontonmi’s recent studio session

Tiemi from Brazil’s Banda Tontonmi sent me some pics of their recent studio session for their upcoming CD album.


Nifee for the pics Tiemi and I can’t wait to listen to your group’s new album!

>> Yukie Nakama’s Kao

NGN (Nippon Golden Network) will begin airing Yukie Nakama’s drama, “Kao” (Fuji TV), from Saturday, July 19th. The first episode is a special one hour episode and the entire series is made up of 11 episodes. Yukie plays the role of Mizuho Hirano, a talented police sketch artist. This police drama which began airing in Japan from April 15th, also stars Joe Odagiri (as her love interest), Kimiko Yo (of “Churasan” 1 & 2 and “Ogya”), Ritsuko Tanaka, and Kotomi Kyouno. The theme song entitled “Kimi ga Anata ga” is sung by Nao (Avex).

>> DotW: Nakada, Masae

Nakada, Masae (1972 ∼ )
Date of Birth: October 7, 1972
Place of Birth: Okinawa
Genre: Minyou


“Deigu Nakada Masae to Deigo-za Ikkou”
Nnaruphone Records | 30NCD-13 | Released on 11.28.98
Track Listing:
01 Asadoya Yunta
02 Hounen Ondo
03 Yoroshiku Gozaimasu
04 Shima nu Douji-tachi
05 Tinsagu nu Hana
06 Himeyuri no Uta
07 Endou no Hana
08 Kaze Tayori
09 Nangoku Sodachi
10 Uchi Aki-gwa
11 Nangoku Jyouwa
12 Amerika-dôri
13 Hana - Subete no Hito no Kokoro ni Hana wo
14 Kogane no Hana

>> DotW: Ayame Band

Ayame Band (also Nagama Takao Ayame Band)
Genre: O-Pop


“Akemio no Machi kara”
Kokusai Boueki Co., Ltd. | NKCD-1235 | Released in 1994 as Ayame Band
Track Listing:
01 Akemio no Machi
02 Ayame Ondo
03 Koko wa Tengoku
04 Yaeyama Meguri
05 Yanbaru nu Hana
06 Tôtômê (Otsukisama)
07 Akamata - Karayama Bushi
08 Koizakura
09 Hiyamikachi Bushi
10 Dasou Bushi - Sôran Bushi
11 Furusato (Nmarijima)
12 Hounendaiko


“Minamishima Shousetsu”
Kokusai Boueki Co., Ltd. | NKCD-1284 | Released in 1996 as Nagama Takao Ayame Band
Track Listing:
01 Deai
02 Miwashi no Ryûkyû
03 Hiyamikachi Bushi
04 Jyûku no Haru
05 Ayame Ondo
06 Yuratiku
07 Pai - Patirôma (Paipatirômajima)
08 Achisandô
09 Bashoufu
10 Asadoya Yunta
11 Mazuruka (Supein [Spain] go - iiyume -)
12 Hounendaiko


“Kaze no Matsuri”
Kokusai Boueki | RMCA-0012 | Released in 1998 as Nagama Takao Ayame Band
Track Listing:
01 Kaze no Matsuri
02 Erabu Yuri no Hana
03 Kaigara Bushi (Tottori-ken Minyou)
04 Hanejinaikai
05 Waido Bushi (Amami Ôshima Minyou)
06 Kaze ga Fuku
07 Tunguda
08 Shimajurasa (Part 2)
09 Takana Bushi (Yaeyama Minyou)
10 Tenjiku
11 Shimajima Kaisha

Friday, June 27, 2003

>> Eriko Imai’s new single and official website renewal

Eriko Imai (ex-SPEED) has a new single called “Butterfly” which is set to be released on Tuesday, July 2nd. The song will be coupled with “Can U feel me?” and two instrumental tracks. Her official Avex website has been renewed to reflect her upcoming single.

Thursday, June 26, 2003

>> Takako Uehara FinePix Wallpaper

Takako Uehara (ex-SPEED member) kabegami (wallpaper) for Fuji’s FinePix cameras. There are three different ones to choose from with screen resolution sizes of 800x600 and 1024x768.

>> I’m back (albeit temporarily)!

Haisai! Yup, I’m neglecting the pop blog again. Been busy with the usual stuff so tonight’s entry will be a quickie. By Sunday I’ll have a double dose of DotWs, pics from Banda Tontonmi’s recent studio session (nifee for the pics Tiemi!), new Terebikko news, and *ahem* much, much more!

Sunday, June 15, 2003

>> Update on my review of Ala Moana Shopping Center’s Bookoff

Today I stopped by Bookoff (my review of the store can be found here) and found that they now have an Okinawan section! It’s located in the same area with the enka artists and although the number of CDs they have is quite small, it’s a very welcome sight indeed. :)

Their Okinawan collection consists largely of compilations and their prices range from US $29.99 to US $34.99. I’ll have to check back again to see how often they stock that section and perhaps even rewrite my review. Nifee to Bookoff for making that section.

>> DotW: China, Sadao

China, Sadao (1945 ∼ )
Date of Birth: 1945
Place of Birth: Ôsaka
Genre: Minyou & O-Pop


“Tsuji no Buruuzu to Jyouka no Sekai (Okinawa Shimauta 4/Itokazu Kame · China Sadao)”
Victor Musical Industries, Inc. | VICG-5162 | Released on 07.21.91
Track Listing:
(Tracks 1-7 Itokazu Kame & Tracks 8-15 China Sadao)
01 Jûban Kuduchi
02 Amisuku Bushi
03 Gunjin Bushi
04 Naakunî (Miyako-ne)
05 Zanzaburô
06 Ichiman Angwâ
07 Mîtubuni
08 Mentâ Bushi
09 Kaisarê
10 Yaka Bushi
11 Nanyou Kouta
12 Danku Bushi
13 Kui nu Hana
14 Guchichâ Nâkunî
15 Wakare no Chimuri


“Shimauta”
Disc Akabana | ASCD-2001 | Released in 1991
Track Listing:
01 Nâkunî - Hantabaru
02 Hamasodachi
03 Haiban nu Samurê
04 Ume no Kaori
05 Mêkata
06 Jûban Kuduchi
07 Kuni nu Hana
08 Akogare no Uta
09 Kubayama Kuichi
10 Yaka Bushi
11 Ashibi Kendou Bushi
12 Suminashi Bushi
13 Nâkunî - Timatu


“Shima ya Uta Ashibi/China Sadao · Tokuhara Seibun”
Disc Akabana | ASCD-2003 | Released in 1992
Track Listing:
01 Michiuta Nâkunî - Ichubigwâ
02 Shima ya Uta Ashibi
03 Shirakumu Bushi
04 Kanjîku
05 Yatchâgwâ - Yanbaru Timatu
06 Yohin no Mê
07 Hanafû (Jurigwâfû) ∼ moto·Itokazu Kame-san ni Sashiagu ∼
08 Nago no Mê
09 Kêhitturi - Timatu
10 Yô Kanayô
11 Shichimun Kuduchi
12 Kaisarê
13 Harikuyamaku


“Akabana”
Pony Canyon Inc. | PCCA-00581 | Released on 05.20.94
Track Listing:
01 Yô Afiguwâ
02 Kugari Bushi
03 Jintôyô Warutsu [Waltz]
04 Usaganna
05 Bai [Bye] Bai [Bye] Okinawa
06 Akabana
07 Jerashî [Jealousy]
08 Shirase Haikawa
09 Kijimunâ Burûsu [Blues]
10 Nirai no Umi


“Ni-dai-me Shuumei Hirou Kouen Ashibi Uta Nasake Bushi”
Marufuku Record(s) | FCD-101 | Released in 1996
Track Listing:
01 Nanyou Kouta
02 Shirakumu Bushi
03 Unna Nabî
04 Akogare no Uta
05 Yaka Bushi
06 Uranami Bushi
07 Kêhitturi - Timatugwâ
08 Kizami Bushi
09 Nâkunî
10 Joutankâ

>> DotW: Nenes II

Nenes II (also: Nidaime Nenes)
Keiko Hirata, Kiyoka Ikei, Ryouko Koyama, and Erina Miyagi
Official URL: Live House Shimauta
Genre: O-Pop


“Chura Uta”
Dig Records Inc. | Released in 2002
Track Listing:
01 Bangamuri
02 Miyarabi Eisâ
03 NE-RAN
04 Sunsâmî - Nakijin nu Gushiku
05 Jyûguya
06 Niwa no Gajumaru
07 Karimata nu Isamiga
08 Kata Yabira
09 Sore wa Teihan
10 Bankokushinryou no Uta
11 Kadiku - Toushindôî

Saturday, June 14, 2003

>> Brazil’s Banda Tontonmi

I received a very cool email (they used a screenshot of my personal weblog site set on an Apple iCard) from Tiemi of the group Tontonmi (Brazil). They have a very cute site up with bios of each member as well as a history of the band which I believe was originally created by China Sadao (the sensei for the group I belong to called Nidaime Teishinkai Hawaii Shibu). The original group as I know it was made up of three female singers from Brazil and released a CD album called “Saudade de Uchina” several years ago. Banda Tontonmi seems to be an evolution of this trio which now consists of six members: Alexandre, Cristiane, Mayumi, Harumi, Tiemi, and Fabio. Nifee for the email Tiemi and I can’t wait to hear your group’s music!

>> Begin’s new single “Sono Toki Umareta Mono”

Begin, the group we all love from Yaeyama, will be releasing a new single called “Sono Toki Umareta Mono” on Wednesday, June 18.


The song is being used as the image song for Okinawa Denryoku’s 30th anniversary. The single includes a second song called “SMILE” as well as an instrumental version of each song. The song is along the line of “Shimanuchu nu Takara”, a hit song for the group from 2002 (so it’s a ballad with very inspiring lyrics, and good too!). The group’s official label site has a Flash movie available with a preview of the song as well as its lyrics. The group’s official site is through their management company Amuse. Email to the group can be sent through their label’s site Teichiku.

Thursday, June 12, 2003

>> Update 061203: OMG (Okinawan Music Geeks)

It’s settled. By popular demand (thanks to those who emailed me about this) the name “O.M.G.” will remain as it is and it won’t be changed to OMF (Okinawan Music Fans/Fanatics). We’re still looking for new members so if you’re interested in joining us (more info on our Okinawan music fan group can be found on this post) you can email me at riccin@internet-okinawa.com or leave a Yuntaku (comment) below. I’m looking to have the first email newsletter sent to everyone by the end of the month. It’ll probably be a questionnaire to gather info on what music genre you’re interested in and what you may be able to contribute to the club.

As always, if you have any suggestions, don’t hesitate to let me know. Oh, and from now on, I’ll have a separate category for the club so my past posts will be easier to find on this pop blog. Tege!

>> Neglected

I know. I know. I’ve been neglecting this weblog and haven’t posted a new DotW for this past week. I’ll make it up by posting two new DotWs by Sunday, June 15, and I’ll have a bunch of other stuff up by then too — i.e., I’ll really do my best to get new content up by then. :)

Monday, June 02, 2003

>> DotW: Kadekaru, Rinsho

Kadekaru, Rinshou (also Kadikaru) (1920 ∼ 1999)
Date of Birth: August 17, 1920
Place of Birth: Okinawa
Record Label URI: B/C Records
Record Label URI: Marufuku Records
Record Label URI: Toshiba-EMI
Record Label URI: Victor Entertainment, Inc.
Genre: Minyou

“Kadekaru Rinshou Tokushû”
Marufuku Records | ACD-8 | Released in 1990
Track Listing:
01 Nâkunî/Yanbaru Timatu
02 Kaisare
03 Sûkikannâ
04 Shirakumu Bushi
05 Tsuki to Namida
06 Nanyou Kouta
07 Yô Kanayô
08 Harikuyamaku
09 Nakashima Bushi
10 Sagi Chijuyâ
11 Haiban nu Samurê
12 Hinsû Jurigwâ
13 Nmi nu Kaori
14 Jidai no Nagare
15 Kui nu Hana
16 Shimajiri Kuduchi
17 Urami no Uta

“Ayanasu Shima no Densetsu: Okinawa Shimauta/Kadekaru Rinshou Vol.1”
Victor Entertainment, Inc. | VICG-5143 | Released on 3.21.1991
Track Listing:
01 Shirakumu Bushi
02 Shûrâ Bushi
03 Mentâ Bushi
04 Guikuyou
05 Haya Kuduchi
06 Shunubujou
07 Shimajiri Kuduchi
08 Hanafû
09 Shirafu Bushi
10 Mê nu Hama
11 Mêkata
12 Toushin Dôi
13 Acchamegwâ - Takouyama

“Ayanasu Shima no Densetsu: Okinawa Shimauta/Kadekaru Rinshou Vol.2”
Victor Entertainment, Inc. | VICG-5144 | Released on 3.21.1991
Track Listing:
01 Jidai no Nagare
02 Gunjin Bushi - Kumamoto Bushi
03 Kendou Bushi
04 Ashimiji Bushi
05 Umufui Nâkunî - Yanbaru Timatu
06 Kaisarê
07 Tumibaru Nâkunî - Hantabaru
08 Umi nu Chinbôra - Akayama
09 Kunjan Jurigwâ
10 Hinsû Jurigwâ
11 Sagi Chijuyâ
12 Kadikû - Toushin Dôi

“The Last Session/Kadekaru Rinshou and Fukuhara Tsuneo”
Toshiba-EMI | TOCT-9551 | Released on 8.28.1996
Track Listing:
01 Nâkunî
02 Shibubai Nâkunî
03 Kaisarê
04 Nakashima Bushi
05 Kendou Bushi
06 Haiban no Bushi
07 Haya Kuduchi
08 Kashikaki
09 Chikahina Kuduchi
10 Umi no Chinbôra
11 Monoshiri Bushi
12 Urami no Uta
13 Sagi Chijuyâ

“BEFORE/AFTER” (3-CD)
B/C Records | BCD-2 | Released in 1998
Track Listing:
Disc 1
01 Shûrâ Bushi>
02 Nâkunî
03 Kaisarê
04 Kamayashinâ
05 Yanbaru Timatu
06 Hantabaru
07 Toushin Dôi
08 Mêkata
Disc 2
01 MC Rinshou x Naohiko “Gakuya nite” - kore kara Dokuenkai ga Hajimaruyo!
02 Nakashima Bushi
03 MC Rinshou Goaisatsu
04 Sagi Chijuyâ
05 MC Kadikaru Rinshou Purofîru [Profile]
06 Kui Katare
07 MC Kadikaru Kikou Roku-1
08 Mêkata
09 MC Takenaka Rou Supîkusu [Speaks] Kadekaru Rinshou
10 Kunjan Jintôyô
11 MC Kadikaru Nitouhei, Sensou Monogatari-1
12 Senyû
13 MC Kadikaru Nitouhei, Sensou Monogatari-2
14 Sendou Kawaiya
15 MC Chotto Tî [Tea] Taimu [Time]
16 Jûku no Haru
17 MC Kadikaru, Seishun Jidai
18 Gunjin Bushi - Kumamoto Bushi
Disc 3
01 MC Kadikaru Kikou Roku-2
02 Hantabaru
03 Nâkunî Taikai
04 Nâkunî
05 MC Mou Ashibî Atama - Kinjou Bokushou
06 Kendou Bushi
07 Kaisou no Mou Ashibî
08 Shimidusurunuga
09 MC Nidaime Kadikaru, Jinan - Rinji Shoukai
10 Bashi nu Tui
11 MC Sâ, Eisâ da!!
12 Eisâ
13 Kachâshî

“Uta Awase/Kadekaru Rinshou and Yamazato Yûkichi”
B/C Records | BCD-GXY | Released in 1999
Track Listing:
* Kadekaru/** Yamazato
01 Funakoshi Bushi**
02 Iwai Bushi*
03 Shirafu Bushi**
04 Shirafu Bushi*
05 Ôtaya Bushi**
06 Daisanajâ*
07 Shibiraôza Bushi**
08 Umi nu Chinbôrâ - Nuchibana*
09 Masakai Bushi**
10 Hatoma Bushi**
11 Hatoma Bushi*
12 Densâ Bushi**
13 Densâ Bushi - Kabira Bushi*
14 Kantsu Bushi**
15 Maruma Bunsan - Tonosama Bushi**
16 Shirakumu Bushi*
17 Miroku Bushi - Yarayou Bushi**
18 Akatasundunchi

“Ryûkyû Joukakou”
Victor Entertainment, Inc. | VICG-60266 | Released on 2.23.2000
Track Listing:
01 Shimajiri Kuduchi
02 Nakashima Bushi
03 Kaisarê
04 Jûku no Haru
05 Imin Kouta
06 Yonaguni Shonganê
07 Senyû
08 Gunjin Bushi - Kumamoto Bushi
09 Eisâ (medley):
Chunjun Nagari
Kudaka Manjû Sû
Chukutaru Mê
Sûrî Agari
Toushin Dôi
10 Kadikû - Acchamegwâ

“Jirû: Rare Tracks of Kadekaru Rinshou”
Victor Entertainment, Inc. | VICG-60283 | Released on 5.24.2000
Track Listing:
01 Kui Katare Bushi
02 Nasubi Bushi
03 Umi no Chinbora - Tumai Takahashi
04 Nageki no Nmi
05 Hinsû Jurigwâ
06 Koukou Kuduchi
07 Guikuyô
08 Nun Nuku Soi Soi
09 Daisanajâ
10 Kaisarê
11 Shun Tuji Bushi
12 Jûgo no Tsuma
13 Yacchamêgwâ
14 Himeyuri no Uta
15 Tubarâma
16 Kunu Bungi Bushi
17 Urami no Uta
18 Kui nu Hana
19 Erabu Chijuyâ
20 Tachi Utushi - Kajadifû