From: Wesley (wesleyc_at_cox.net)
Date: 2003-09-08 20:21:47
Reviews :: Orange Pekoe, Kakuto Soundtrack
review of the new album from the nu jazz/brazilian duo of Orange Pekoe
and the multifarious Kakuto Soundtrack album.
-Wesley
The Eclectic Sounds of Japan
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoundLounge
-- source: Metropolis ORANGE PEKOE Modern Lights (BMG Japan) The nu jazz movement, where international grooves embrace sonic sorcery, is insistent in making jazz and things jazzy ever more relevant and adventurous. Koop, Bird and Cinematic Orchestra established the paradigm that stood until early this year. It's now been revised; the new standard is Orange Pekoe, the best song-based nu jazz act of 2003. Pekoe songwriter/arranger/guitarist Kazuma Fujimoto is a craftsman of the highest order, while Tomoko Nagashima, the other half of the duo, delivers her bandmate's sweet melodies in a youthfully dulcet voice. Modern Lights interprets numerous styles-big band, Brazilian, electro, bop-with considerably more intimacy and warmth than Orange Pekoe's European counterparts, as Fujimoto utilizes mostly live musicians. When they opt for the electronics, however, the band sounds even more impressive, especially on "Hasu," where bubbly broken beats, futuristic soundscapes and a lilting shinobue (Japanese flute) render this one of year's most massive stormers. Wesley Chu VARIOUS ARTISTS Kakuto Soundtrack (KSR) To match the young and hip cast of his sleek, post-Bubble crime story, fast-emerging director Yusuke Iseya assembled an equally youthful crew for the soundtrack. Most of this album's 15 tracks are the work of TUUKé, a trio consisting of programmer Kenatarou Masaki, guitarist Tsuru Onishi and percussionist Yusuke Tomizawa. Along with guest vocalists, they churn out a spectrum of post-rock sounds, ranging from the dreamy ambience of "Life on Mars" to the electro-dub of "Moderation" to the mellow, folk-influenced guitars of "Delight." Veteran Japanese techno production unit Dublab chip in the frenetic drum 'n' bass track "Dodge," while Japan-based DJ/producer Domino ends the album with the trance-y "Shukriya." The soundtrack to Kakuto is an example of the kind of interesting collaborations that can result when Japan's inventive young directors team up with its equally productive legions of youthful musicians, DJs and producers. http://metropolis.japantoday.com/tokyo/recent/music_cd.asp -- The Eclectic Sounds of Japan [Sound :: Lounge] http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoundLounge