From: Wesley (wesleyhongkong_at_earthlink.net)
Date: 2003-03-04 20:53:41
Album Review :: Saigenji - Saigenji
a review of a superb singer-songwriter on the Brazilian side of
things--he's worked with the likes of Yasuharu Konishi (Pizzicato Five),
DJ Muro, DJ Watarai, Ide Mariko,... review link:
http://www.kindamuzik.net/reviews/beats/article.shtml?id=2606
saigenji's personal website is here: http://www.fubuki.com/saigenji/
the review is in Dutch, but you'll also find an English translation of
it below.
-Wesley
-- source: KindaMuzik He’s from Happiness Records. It must be bossa and sweet, bright and upbeat, stylish and substantial. And it is. Akifumi Saigenji, a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter on the Brazilian tip, warmed into CD players when Happiness Records released the fourth volume of their most groovy, and essential, Tokyo Bossa Nova compilation (a collection of indie pop, electro, and Shibuya-kei eclecticism with an ear tuned to Brazil), which contained Saigenji’s sensuous tropical-ization of Carole King’s “It’s Too Late.” Now a year after the release of the compilation, Saigenji offers a breezy debut showcasing a versatile, confident vocalist backed by his own deft guitar playing, a lively parlance with his rhythm section, and hip-swinging, toe-tapping, smile-inducing loveliness. With the exception of the Carole King cover, which is included, the record is filled with Saigenji originals: songs that live a love affair with Brazilian sounds, but refracted through a uniquely hip Japanese production aesthetic, something the Japanese groove community does so well. The instrumentation is acoustic and airy, with a sense of serenity circling underneath the impassioned interplay; the sonics are organic and spacious (the sound space feels open like the sky), guitars resonate warmly and percussive elements twinkle. At its heart, Saigenji is a body of finely crafted songs that swing to sunny melodies and cling to Saigenji’s sweet, heartwarming vocals. What is not so conventional with Saigenji is the presence of some careful, and minimal, departures from tradition: the lo-fi, Small Circle of Friends-rap on “Brazil,” the added romance of a Parisian-inflected accordion, a few subtle bits of beautifying programming, the Amazonian bird chirps on “Monotone.” Saigenji’s worked with the likes of Yasuharu Konishi and DJ Watarai, but he can now append to his resume one unassuming gem of an album. Wesley Chu -- ECLECTIC Japan [Sound :: Lounge] http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoundLounge