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 Iwao Furusawa with Sergio and Odair Assad
We've covered Furusawa before and this collaboration continues the violinist's explorations beyond classical music. This time he and the famous guitar playing Assad brothers play soundtrack songs. Very pleasant stuff, but the arrangements could be longer as the songs seem to end by the time you recognize which film they come from. Taraf de Haidouks
If this album doesn't make you want to put on boots and do folk dances nothing will. I bought this album because I'm a sucker for Gypsy music and the cover picture is great. Taraf de Haidouks is a Romanian Gypsy troup that has been handing down their music tradition for centuries. They play with great spirit and I was surprised with the songs that almost sound Middle Eastern in origin. Astor Piazzolla
Last year Kaori and I went to a tango concert together. The dancers and music were amazingly sexy - so much different than the lame immitations you see in movies. Astor Piazzolla started out as a tango bandoneon (accordian) player, but after studying musical composition in Paris he added elements of classical and jazz to tango. Because of this he was hated by tango traditionalists in Argentina, but his "Nuevo Tango" brought new life and international attention to what was seen as just a dance. Zero Hour is Piazolla at his passionate best. Coldfeet
I've been waiting 7 years to hear Coldfeet's first single. That may sound strange since Coldfeet as a group are less than a year old, but 7 years is how long I've known their vocalist, Lori Fine. Lori's been through several groups and record labels before, but all her hard work and patience is paying off now. Coldfeet are a drum'n'bass group consisting of Lori (vocals, lyrics) and her partner Watusi (bass, programming). Pussyfoot started out as a one off single on Watusi's own label, but turned out so well that they decided to make Coldfeet a permanent gig. Their sound is a jazzy mix of Lori's sexy vocals and Watusi's programming skills. I like the Pussyfoot remix track the best and the EP also has a dreamlike take on on the old classic, "Blue Velvet". Be on the lookout for their second EP and videos on MTV. Lori says a European debut is also being planned. For more information, check out these links: B - Tribe
B-Tribe (short for the Barcelona Tribe of Soulsters) match flamenco music with non-stop dance grooves in an original and addictive fashion. Fiesta Fatal! is their 1994 debut album which scored a club hit in the states with the mysterious "You Won't See Me Cry." The group is also a mystery; No individual names are listed in the liner notes, and the group doesn't tour. My favorite track on the album is the fiery "Nadie Entiende." El Vez
I couldn't help buying this CD when I saw the cover. I thought it was going to be some silly fun, it is, but Elvez is serious too. El Vez, the Mexican Elvis, with his backup singers the Lovely El Vettes, and the Memphis Mariachis turn out great Spanish covers of Elvis tunes. El Vez, otherwise known as Robert Lopez, is from East Los Angeles. He thinks of himself as an Elvis translator rather than an Elvis impersonator. My favorite tracks are En el barrio "In the ghetto" and Nunca fui a Espana, about Spain's conquest of South America with the chorus "I'm not Hispanic." The music is a satirical mixture of borrowed riffs from Elvis, The Beatles, Santana, Lou Reed, The Stray Cats. Jorge Ben
Jorge Ben is a Brazilian carioca singer and guitarist who has enjoyed a long and influencial career. His music is a combination of samba and pop styles. I especially like his acoustic guitar driven song about South African aparthied, Ponta De Lanca Africano (Umbabarauma) Kina Shoukichi and Champloose
I'm sure all of our Japanese readers know Kina Shoukichi's songs, Haisai Ojisan and "Hana", but few probably know his name. Kina is a national treasure. He is the grandfather of Okinawan pop music, and an activist for environmental and Okinawan issues. My wife and I saw him do a benefit for mangrove trees with The Boom last year. Kina and Champloose put on a great and inspiring show which even the screaming highschool girls there to see The Boom could get into. Okinawan pop is the reggae music of Japan. In fact Bob Marley admired Kina's strong support for Okinawan culture. He also represented Japan at a world folk music festival during the Atlanta Olympics. For more information, check out these links: Les Negresses Vertes
Les Negresses Vertes is a French export that we shouldn't boycott. The lyrics are all in French but your feet will certainly understand the dance music this quintet makes. Tango, Gypsy, Reggae, Folk, Funk, Waltz, Chanson name a style it's in there. Infectious. Also check out the other fine albums by this band. Each one seems to have a different line up, but they all have the same spirit. I recommend that you search out: Mlah, 1989 Off the track Records Read about Les Negresses Vertes and other French bands at the French Music Database. Also Check out Chris Ridd's LNV page.http://www.digiserve.com/lnv/ Timbalada
I don't know much about Timbalada, but from the CD liner notes it says there are more than 70! members in the group. They are an Escolas de samba (samba school) and do carnival drumming, jazz, pop, and rock all in a very Afro-centric way. The key word here is percussion. Update: I saw Timbalada live in Tokyo at Club Quattro. They were great. It reminded me of a three ring circus. There was so much to watch. Timbalada had drummers, dancers, rappers, singers and even giant saxophonist on the tiny Club Quattro stage. What was more amazing was the effect of the pheromones given off by the sweaty body painted drum corp on the normal restrained Japanese audience. By the end of the show women were jumping on stage, stripping their blouses off, and dancing wildly. Incredible. Read the carnival music usenet newsgroup. alt.music.carnival. Rebecka Tornquist
I usually don't much care for Swedish pop. It always seems too calculated and slickly produced. "A Night Like This" is an exception. Make no mistake this is one smoothly made jazz/pop record, but what I like are the great songs and Rebecka Tornqvist's strong voice. Swedish folks seem to like her too, this record was nominated for five Swedish Grammies awards in 1993. My favorite songs are the duet "Do you mind", the sexy "Nothing Ever" and the wistful "Wander where you wander." In 1995 Tornqvist released her follow-up album, "Good Thing" which covers similar ground as her debut. All content © Foreign Correspondent 1996 - 2007 |
Taraf de Haidouks, (Nonesuch)
Les Negresses Vertes, Zig-Zague, 1995 Virgin Records
Timbalada, Andei Road, 1995 Polygram Do Brazil LTDA.
Rebecka Tornqvist, A Night Like This, 1993, EMI Sweden
