Japan vol. 1

http://8tracks.com/delaroche/japan-vol-1

The start of a series of series highlighting music not just from Japan but anywhere music is played. I started with Japan because it was the first I'd delved into, it's what I'm most comfortable with, and I've got loads of it lying around my room. But it was KDVS's library that showed me just how widespread good music really is (geographically in this case). Not that I wasn't aware of the concept by the time I'd arrived at KDVS. In fact, I'd like to think I'd become fairly open thanks to my MD fam. But a friend once told me, "Anyone that listens to music passively hasn't heard music." And in my case reading about a red flower and knowing it is red is different from going out and looking at that same red flower and knowing it is red.

I'd understood the concept but I never actively sought something like Nigerian Afro-Beat from the 70's. I didn't actually know the world I'd be thrown into until that fateful day of my simply taking a chance. Honestly, I just judged the book by its cover. In fact that's my biggest secret. People have told me that they liked the music I'd played but really I'm shallow and judgemental and looked at the cool covers to decide whether it was worth giving a listen. Apparently it works; for others and myself.

The biggest surprise was that the music I was hearing wasn't all that different from what was played here in the US. Folks were funking it up all over the globe. They were rapping. They were making electronic music. They were distorting their guitars. They were doing it all. The changes were small. They added traditional elements and it was a wrap. And a world of difference it was by adding a rythmic chant. Or instead of creating a break beat with a drum bass and snare the sound of slapping water is used. Simply singing in a different language was all it took as I'm forced to think of the vocal only as an instruement and when I'm not thinking about the meaning behind the words, I can really think about the meaning behind the words. My imagination isn't bound by the rule that when a singer says tree I think of a rooted plant extending from the earth. Instead I hear the utterences and wonder is that pain for happiness they are expressing?

It was my story to create. The artists just asked me to step a little to the left and see the view from there.

So take a seat with me over here and let us see what we see as the series moves along.

http://8tracks.com/delaroche/japan-vol-1

Tracklisting:

Sparta Locals - Boku no Poppa
School Food Punishment - Snap
Emi Meyer - Teien
Midori - Chiharu no Koi
Tsushimamire - Ii Tempo Desu
GO!GO!7188 - Mayakashi no Sekai
METALCHICKS - Girls School
Akiko Hamada - Tsuki no Shizuku
Yuu Nakashima - Tenjyaki