Saturday, August 06, 2005
>> TINGARA
TINGARA’s new album “Kaze no Senritsuâ€? (Melody of the Wind), the group’s sixth, is set to be released on September 21, 2005. To get the word out, they’ve enlisted the ears and fingers of bloggers and have sent out advance copies of the soon-to-be-released album around the world (well, at least you know that I’m here in Hawaii). TINGARA is currently a duo (prior albums listed Gerhen Oshima [Tokyo] as a main member but he still plays sanshin for the group) of Tsugumi (Okinawa) on vocals and Hideo Ishijima (Yokohama) on keyboards (he also handles programming and sound producing which basically means that he’s the guy who sets the mood for the group’s albums).
Some of you may remember the beautiful Tsugumi from her days as the keyboardist for the ultra-popular O-Pop group Rinken Band which she was a part of from 1990 to 1993. Hideo Ishijima is a studio musician who happened to meet Tsugumi through a mutual friend, Okinawan artist/musician Bokunen Naka who also is a songwriter for some of the group’s songs (he has also penned the lyrics for songs from Rinken Band) and most, if not all, of the beautiful artwork for TINGARA’s albums were done by him.
TINGARA’s music is described as “Ryukyu Ambient Soundâ€? and features Southeast Asian influences and a very soft, soothing sound via Tsugumi’s vocals and Hideo’s sound manipulation. Gerhen Oshima’s sanshin playing on a few of the songs adds that Okinawan sound to the group’s songs and instantly gives TINGARA its unique sound. The group’s music makes it perfect to play in the background and I’m sure that people who listen to the healing music genre will fall in love with TINGARA’s sound. One of my favorite songs off of “Kaze no Senritsuâ€? is the seventh track called “Minami no Haruâ€? which can definitely make it onto the top of any adult contemporary singles chart. All of the songs on the album are originals — most penned by Tsugumi — so it’ll be great to one day see the group release an album of Okinawan traditional music with their original sound.
With the release of the group’s first album “TINGARAâ€? (1999) on an indie label, they’ve been able to release a new full album every year on the Victor Entertainment major label beginning with “Sakiyodaâ€? (2001), “Taiyou no Hanaâ€? (2002), “Miruyakanayaâ€? (2003), “Unasakaâ€? (2004), “TINGARA BESTâ€? (2005), and “Kaze no Senritsuâ€? (2005).
If you’re looking for something different, something soothing, something tege (laid back), give TINGARA a listen. The group’s music can be purchased online at one of my favorite stores YesAsia.com or from CDJapan.co.jp (my other favorite). Email me at uzagaku[at]gmail[dot]com is you’re interested in listening to a sample of the group’s music. Incidentally, the group also keeps a blog over here and don’t forget to check out the group’s official website too.
[UPDATE: I mistakenly wrote Hideo Ishijima’s name as Hideo Oshima (I know his last name is Ishijima — my fault for not catching that the first time around). Gomen nasai Ishijima-san!]
[posted with ecto]
iTuned: ��船 from the album “風�旋律� by TINGARA>> Cool RIK Wallpaper for August
RIK (Ryukyu Internet Kingdom) have posted their latest kabegami (wallpaper) for the month of August. Visit the kabegami download page here.
[posted with ecto]
>> Yukie Nakama in SHINOBI
Yukie Nakama will be starring in a ninja adventure flick (it’s also a love story) called “SHINOBI - Heart Under Bladeâ€? which will start its Road Show tour on September 17th in Japan. Yukie plays the role of ninja Oboro with Joe Odagiri starring in the role of ninja Gennosuke Kouga. There’s even a blog (SHINOBLOG) for the film too. :) I’m a fan of swordplay flicks and with Yukie in this film, I’m sure it’ll become one of my faves.
[posted with ecto]
>> Namie Panther Coming Soon!
Namie Amuro (27) is set to release her new album “Queen of Hip-Popâ€? (AVCD-17692) on 7/13 and she’s out promoting it with the legendary Pink Panther as a theme. “Namie Pantherâ€? is the name of the character for Namie’s new album and we’ll probably be seeing a lot of it in the coming weeks. The first pressing of the “Queen of Hip-Popâ€? album comes with a limited edition sticker.
[posted with ecto]
>> Sosakudaiko Ryukyu Yuihana Website
My friend Ray created a website for his Okinawan eisa taiko group, Sosakudaiko Ryukyu Yuihana, complete with a weblog and the posting of several pics of their performances (and outings). The group’s profile reads: “We are an Okinawan Taiko group with members of all ages from 5 to 70.â€? Check them out!
[posted with ecto]
>> Terebikko
I meant to announce this a couple of months ago, but if you live in Hawaii there’s a new Japanese-language TV station called Pacific TV that’s been airing an Okinawan variety show from RBC called “Joto TVâ€? (kind of like an Okinawan-style “Soko ga Shiritaiâ€?). The station first began showing a terrific music/dance show (that I would often watch in Okinawa) called “Kariyushi Gekijouâ€? which was replaced by “Joto TVâ€?.
TV Japan (on NGN2 in Hawaii) will be showing an episode of their popular “Top Runner� program featuring Yaeyama utasaa Yasukatsu Oshima on Saturday, July 9.
[posted with ecto]
>> Elly
Ex-SPEED Eriko Imai (21) is back with a new website and nickname, “ellyâ€?. Having taken a break from show biz after her marriage to 175R’s SHOGO, and the birth of the couple’s first child, Eriko’s giving her fans a HUGE hint (with the new name and website [the old one is still functional tho’]) that she’ll be coming back soon. Chibariyo elly!
[posted with ecto]
