Cicala MVTA - The Chindon Avant Garde

Directed by the clarinetist Wataru Ohkuma, Cicala MVTA is a contemporary ensemble that plays the old style of Chindon music, or music played by marching bands. Their fusion with brass music, jazz, funk, punk, and even with Japanese folk music includes some influences of the Zeuhl music. Produced by Tatsuya Yoshida, who leads Koenjihyakkei, Cicala MVTA is a progressive band that incorporates impressive wind solos, the sound of violin, Chindong and gorosu to their songs and a vibrant live performance.

Indomitable people Shikaramuta

The pillow walk (2004)

Koenjihyakkei – A Progressive Sound From Japan

Rare, or maybe weird is how I would qualify the band that I post today. The musical complexity of the Zeuhl, a genre derived from progressive rock, is the seal of  Koenjihyakkei, a Japanese band led by the drummer Tatsuya Yoshida, who had played before in a popular Japanese duo called Ruins. The powerful sound of this band, which is frequently reminiscent of Japanese music, rock, or even symphonic music, makes me at times remember the eclectic and singular Frank Zappa’s style.

Avedumma

Their music, which occasionally sounds subtle in the voice of Aki Kubota (who sings in a nonsense language), unexpectedly evokes fierceness and majesty through strong rhythmic transitions, key changes and occasional jazzy progressions. The Avant-garde sound of this band may not have a pleasant effect to the more conservative tastes, but despite being  unusual for me, I think it has a really good and crafted style.

Ioss

Yoshida Brothers – Rock in Kimono

Shamisen, an old string instrument from Japan, has been played since the 16th century. Nowadays, the sound of Shamisen has become popular because the theme song of the Nintendo Wii game console is entirely played with this instrument by the brothers Ryoichiro Yoshida and Ken'ichi Yoshida, who formed Yoshida Brothers.

The way they always dress like Samurais, with Hakama pants and a kimono, along with their Shamisen, may look very traditional. But the music of Yoshida Brothers is a fusion of rock and the sound of their ancestors, which they play with amazing agility.

Rising


Nikata (2004)

Shigeru Umebayashi - Japan

Yumeji's Theme (2000)


Lovers flower garden (2004)