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Kazutoshi Matsuda to release 2nd album in 2010
It’s hard to believe that two years have passed since Kazutoshi Matsuda released his debut album, “Diigunii” on June 15, 2007. Come Sanshin Day (March 3rd) in 2010, Kazutoshi will be releasing his second album titled “Uta Michi Aruki” on Tundami Label. Featuring a total of 12 tracks, the album will feature a pop rock…
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App Review: iSanshin (i三線) for iPhone & iPod touch
We introduced two iPhone/iPod touch apps on December 20, 2009, and both developers were kind enough to provide us with a demo of their app. The first app we’re going to look at is called iSanshin (i三線) from Pawana LLC. iSanshin sells for U.S. $1.99 and is currently at version 1.1. (iTunes Link) Upon launching…
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Namie Amuro’s latest album “PAST<FUTURE” is top-selling album
Namie Amuro’s “PAST < FUTURE” was the top selling album this past week, with close to 331,000 units sold. At the age of 32, she has now become the first female solo artist to achieve #1 with an original album in her 10s, 20s, and 30s. She had three of them before her 20th birthday…
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[Updated] Introducing two sanshin apps for your iPhone or iPod touch
We’re big Mac fans here and there’s always an iPhone within reach but we don’t always carry a sanshin with us. (Duh?) Well, anyhoo, if you own an iPhone or iPod touch you’re in luck with two apps to keep you entertained for those times when you’re without sanshin. Both apps are U.S. $1.99 and…
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Ayano Uema shares video of “PW無情”
You can file this in the “let’s hope more artist get in on this” category. Popular (and beautiful I might add) utasaa Ayano Uema shares a PV (well, kinda) of her rendition of the song “PW 無情” (the Prisoner of War song) on YouTube. Accompanying Ayano on piano is Yasushi Matsumoto of Taiyofu Orchestra. (Via…
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Sadao China has a big 2009
2009 has turned out to be a big year for the utasaa great, Sadao China. Perhaps the biggest was the King Records limited edition 6-CD box set “Shimauta Hyakkei” released back in October. (The box set can be purchased at our favorite online retailer, CDJapan.) Yeah, a CD box set release may not be the…
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Hirara releases debut mini album, “Kanikubata”
Miyakojima folk singer, Hirara, who performed at this year’s Okinawan Festival in Honolulu, released her debut mini album, “Kanikubata,” on December 1, 2009. The album is currently sold in Okinawa and contains a total of six tracks including “Kanikubata” and “Tsuki ni Negai wo” — both featured in CMs for the awamori Kiku no Tsuyu.
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In love with Namie Amuro’s “The Meaning Of Us”
Ask me about the song that I’ve been humming a lot of lately and I’ll answer Owl City’s “Fireflies” — not! (*ahem* I’m a fan of The Postal Service.) The song that’s been stuck in my head the past week is Namie Amuro’s “The Meaning Of Us” from her newly released original album, “Past<Future” —…
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Chihiro Kamiya performing “Hamachidori” at a sanshin shop
Awesome live performance of Chihiro Kamiya for okinawa-sanshin.com playing a Nohara yunā sanshin that’s being sold by the shop. There are a couple of other videos up at their YouTube channel. (Via Chihiro Kamiya’s official blog.)
Karakui 