Toki no Suisaiga is one of those special programs that I wish were translated into more languages. It has such amazing episodes. For their The Session series (it’s preceded by two full seasons), it features collaborations between traditional performing arts musicians with modern artists/musicians. In episode #14 (pictured above), we see the Luchu Kuuchoo performed by Matayoshi Kyohei (Ryukyu Koten Ongaku Nomura-ryu Dento Ongaku Kyokai) and poet Sato Monika.
If you follow Anly you already know she’s often featured on Fender’s Twitter or YouTube channel. This time we see her on Fender’s Artist Check-In performing her song “Karano Kokoro” (theme song for Naruto Shippuden) using Fender’s Acoustasonic Jazzmaster. Since this is Fender’s worldwide YouTube channel she does her introduction in English! Will we see an Anly Fender artist model soon?
Anly also shared a BTS on Twitter.
Okinawan salsa band KACHIMBA1551 released their first single CD “Bueno!” on 10/19! The song is a collaboration with the restaurant Bueno Chicken in Urasoe and is a KACHIMBA5 rearrangement of their song “Bueno!” which was originally released in 2014.
Check out their fun CM down below.
The band has a couple of albums you can stream on Apple Music.
It’s amazing that Orion Beer is doing its first collaboration with a special beer named “Shuri 1427”. The collaboration is with Wolfbräu, a microbrewery located in Shuri, and the resulting product looks amazing (we bet it tastes amazing too). 1427 is the date that Ryutan and the Ankokuzan was created. Read more about the collaboration on Orion Beer’s website.
This is an amazing song and collaboration between noovy and Anly. According to Anly, the band filmed their portion in Taiwan while Anly filmed hers in Okinawa so it’s like the sea is connecting the two 😍.
Miura Daichi participated in a group project for Team Coca-Cola with other pop artists and the song “Colorful” has reached over 1 million views on YouTube. The music video had its YouTube premiere on 7/19 along with a single that’s available on all streaming platforms. He’s the first artist on the video so you can’t miss him!
If you watch one music video on YouTube, this must be it. The MV is an acoustic cover of the very popular J-pop song Hanamizuki by Hitoto Yō (she’s Japanese and Taiwanese) and matches well with Uchinaa-guchi and Ryūkyū instruments, dance and vocals. (Another version to listen to is from Amami Ōshima’s Minami Kizuki.) The music video is a collaboration between guitarist HOMARE of Nanaironote and model/actress/singer Karin Miyagi who recently collaborated with famous Okinawan artist Naka Bokunen for the Chimugasana project. Filming took place at Ryukyu-mura.
An interesting connection that this cover of Hanamizuki makes is that the song inspired a film of the same name (2010 release) that starred the popular Okinawan actress Aragaki Yui and had its international debut at our very own Hawaii International Film Festival!
h/t @sherryberry100 on Twitter.
[updated] Video is no longer available since Avex pulled it. Hopefully, Avex will release an official version that fans can view.
PV of Namie Amuro’s song “Unusual” (featuring Tomohisa Yamashita) from her upcoming best collaboration album “Checkmate!” which will be released on March 23, 2011.
One great thing to come out of Fuzzy Control‘s joining DCT records (DREAMS COME TRUE‘s indie record label) is the collaborative songs between the two bands and the latest is called “Sono Saki e,” featured in the 4th season of the J-drama “Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji.” Very catchy song and SATOKO rocks the drums!
Connection to Okinawa: Fuzzy Control’s vocalist/guitarist, JUON, was born in Okinawa.
“A.A.Aiyaiya,A.A!” is the band’s first single under the DCT records label and it—as well as its music video—are currently available on iTunes (link opens iTunes).
Just in time for the start of summer is a new musical unit comprised of Masaru Shimabukuro (BEGIN) and Isamu Shimoji who call themselves Shimobuku Rekoodo (Record). The duo just released their debut album, “Looking South West,” on the Teichiku label. Isamu’s previous release was last year’s collaboration with (Karakui.com favorite) Yukito Ara for the EP “SAKISHIMA meeting.” Masaru, besides his work with BEGIN, has been busy producing songs for artists like Miki Imai, Hiromi Iwasaki and Aya Ueto.
The album is currently available at cdjapan.co.jp (affiliate link) for ¥2,381 and has a total of 12 tracks. And for kicks, check out the duo’s “press conference” on Teichiku’s YouTube channel.
Karakui 