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Music: Toru Yonaha’s 3rd album near completion
Most of you who know me IRL know that I’m a fan of Toru Yonaha’s music so it’s no surprise that I’m going to hype his upcoming 3rd album to death until its release. The recording part is finished and they’re adding the finishing touches for the CD’s booklet. All that’s left is the mix…
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In Hawaii: Miiuta Taishou Winner Takayuki Oshiro [Unconfirmed]
Last year, one of my favorite upcoming utasaa, Akane Murayoshi, came to Hawaii as part of Radio Okinawa’s annual Miiuta Taishou Grand Prix winner’s prize. This year’s (the 18th annual) grand prix winner is Takayuki Oshiro (his nickname is ‘Ootaka’ おおたか) who will be performing his winning composition, “Sakasanaya∼”. The YouTube clip above is Ootaka…
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DVD: Misako Oshiro’s ‘Uta Kataree’
Utasaa great Misako Oshiro is making 2007 a year to remember. She started off the year with her first full-album in 10 years, “Uta Umui” (UBCA-1008, Tuff Beats), and held her 50th anniversary (in Okinawa’s performing arts) recital last month (7/8/07) at the Naha Shimin Kaikan. She’ll be performing around Japan from August to October…
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CD Album: Hirokazu Matsuda’s ‘Sanshin-Zanmai’
Long known as a master utasaa (Okinawan folk musician), it’s hard to believe that the September 26, 2007 “Sanshin-Zanmai” (RES-126, 14 tracks), marks Hirokazu Matsuda’s (The Fere) first nationwide CD album release. Thanks to the awesome record label Respect Record (Seijin Noborikawa, Sadao China, Yoriko Ganeko, Takashi Hirayasu, Ryukyu Underground, Toru Yonaha), fans of Okinawan…
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Misako Koja and Kazuya Sahara
It doesn’t get any better than this folks. Misako Koja (known as a member of the 1st generation Nenes and for the hit song “Warabigami”) is in Hawaii now and let me tell you, she and her husband (composer, arranger) Kazuya Sahara are two of the most down-to-earth people you may ever meet. It’s a…
Karakui 