TINGARA's new album “Kaze no Senritsu� (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 “TINGARA� (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 “Sakiyoda� (2001), “Taiyou no Hana� (2002), “Miruyakanaya� (2003), “Unasaka� (2004), “TINGARA BEST� (2005), and “Kaze no Senritsu� (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]

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 will be starring in a ninja adventure flick (it's also a love story) called “SHINOBI - Heart Under Blade� 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 Amuro (27) is set to release her new album “Queen of Hip-Pop� (AVCD-17692) on 7/13 and she's out promoting it with the legendary Pink Panther as a theme. “Namie Panther� 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-Pop� album comes with a limited edition sticker.

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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.� Check them out!

[posted with ecto]

[posted with ecto]

Ex-SPEED Eriko Imai (21) is back with a new website and nickname, “elly�. 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!

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I bet you know what a duo is, right? But do you know what a true duo is? We just need to look at the true duo of Chiharu and Ayano of Kiroro for the best example. Back in January we announced Chiharu's marriage and the duo's plan to lay low for a while from the J-pop music scene (incidentally, they released a CM song in the meantime — I guess you can't get away from it that easily :p). Now it's Ayano's turn to announce her own wedding plans to restaurant producer “A” (heh) and she's also three months pregnant! Man, this is quite exciting (yes, I have no life) as she joins Namie Amuro, Eriko Imai (ex-SPEED) and YUKINARI (DA PUMP), as J-pop stars who have (or will be having) children. Can we already predict the next Okinawan J-pop wave to return 10 years from now? Congrats Ayano!

Get ready to rock! Green Brain presents “Orange Rock @ Orange County� on Friday, June 17, a concert that will feature an all-Japanese line-up of indie rock bands. Performing will also be BLEACH: the “3 Japanese Girls from Okinawa�. Check out Green Brain's blog for more information on this event.

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This is old news but considering how often we've been blogging lately, any kind of news is better than nothing, right? Actress/singer Aya Ueto (I loved her in the drama “Ace o Nerae!” and the swordplay flick “Azumi”) appeared on a TV special back in February (told you it was old news) called “Okinawa Irodori no Uta”. Aya, her mom is from Yonaguni (raised in Ishigaki), who dressed in a bingata for the show, looked very much like an Okinawan princess. The soon-to-be twenty year old can be seen on TV dramas “Yoshitsune” and “Attack No. 1” and her 11th single, “Yume no Chikara” (PCCA-02132), the ending theme to her volleyball drama “Attack No. 1”, will be released on June 8th.

Popular idol Airi Taira (20) has released her first photo book (shashinshuu) entitled Aitai. Okinawa was chosen as the location for the photo shoot and the book includes pics of Airi in a swimsuit—the first time she's being “presented” in this fashion. [Via Yahoo! Japan News] Airi trivia:

• Born: December 12, 1984
• Height: 5'1" (154cm)
• Weight: 93lbs (42kg)
• Bloodtype: O
• Favorite Entertainers: Celine Dion and Namie Amuro
• Favorite Color: pink
• Favorite Sports (to play): jump roap
• Current Hobby: photography
• Specialties: classical ballet, the piano, and Okinawan dance
• Showbiz History: her debut in the film “Dreamaker” (starring ISSA [DA PUMP] and Takako Uehara [SPEED]) came after winning an audition for the role of ISSA's little sister. She has also released a CD single called “Wish”, and has appeared on a number of TV dramas (including the popular “3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi Sensei” series), films and CMs.

My all-time favorite (as opposed to my fave of the moment) female J-Pop singer Cocco must've had a blast during her collaboration with Quruli's Shigeru Kishida because she recently formed a band with him called Singer Songer (Engrish anyone?). The band's first single, “Hatsuhana Rinrin” (VICL-35816), will be released on May 25th from Speedstar Records (the record label for both artists). There's also a very short CM (“TV Spot”) of the band's announcement (at one of Cocco's concerts?) available on the website although there's nothing more than Cocco's dialogue and the listing of each band member's name. Still, I'm extremely excited about this knowing that it solidifies Cocco's return to the music scene. Cocco will also be releasing another book of artwork (with photography by nanaco) called “The Bird” (ISBN: 430926832X). The book will also come with a CD of 7 tracks (with track six co-written and performed by Cocco).