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東京事変 – 恐るべき大人達 (piano cover)
Nuff said – found this on the vastness of youtube (not all that hard to do, really, just look for the original song). I fucking love it, it’s that good.
In case you can, do try to get your hands on the original… Shiina Ringo is too damn great to miss out on.
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Eternal Morning – Father’s Watch
Every now and then I post a tune here that isn’t exactly from Japan. This is a Korean track. Eternal Morning is a joint project by Tablo, one of the guys behind South Korea’s probably most successful hip-hop act Epik High; and Pe2ny, who’s a very respected producer and has worked with the créme de la créme of the South Korean hip-hop scene, including Epik High.
Frankly, it’s 4:35AM and can’t be assed to write any more background info. Just enjoy the tune.
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acro jazz laboratories – There’s No Way
A little something I came across this morning. I’ve heard acro jazz laboratories’ tunes previously on GOONTRAX’s In Ya Mellow Tone compilations but apparently they released a debut album back in May, which is really awesome.
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grooveman spot – Promise
Something new from an awesome producer. Released as a limited 10” joint single with DJ MITSU THE BEATS, obviously under Jazzy Sport.
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Shingo Sekiguchi – Message
A rather awesome discovery I made yet again. This time it’s a track by Shingo Sekiguchi, a very, very impressive guitarist with a smooth jazzy/soulful style. This tune is off of his 2008 mini-album titled vusik which had a bunch of other very talented musicians accompanying him.
And if I’m getting this all correctly, the entire bunch eventually adopted the name vusik as the band name, instead of releasing music under Sekiguchi’s name… which I think is quite fair, considering how equally good they all are and the fact that the music is still the fruit of all of their efforts. They have released two more albums since the 2008’s debut, Cinematic scenery is here in 2009 and silent rain, silent sea in the beginning of 2012.
Shingo Sekiguchi also plays in a band called Ovall, with fellow bandmates Shingo Suzuki on bass/keys and mabanua on drums.
Ovall makes a bit more hip-hop influenced tunes compared to Sekiguchi’s vusik but still have an extremely smooth soulful/jazzy feel to it. In fact they’re all about mellowness. They’re good, definitely do check them out!
Shingo Suzuki and mabanua are both also respected producers, not only in Japan but worldwide, with Suzuki releasing his debut album The Abstract Truth (2008) to great acclaim and mabanua with his done already (2008) – both of which feature a wide selection of guest appearances by MCs worldwide, and are appreciated by hip-hop fans across the globe.
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45 ft. Gizelle Smith – Much Longer
Another great soulful slash funky tune by 45 or Swing-O. He just never fails to deliver, I love this guy. The video is a bit funny, too.
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Calm – Sunday Sun
Ok, that song is just perfect for today. Super nice weather here today, early signs of the coming summer. And this tune fits the mood and entire feel of today just so perfectly. It makes me happy.
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Anan Ryoko – Sure as the sunshine (ft. Michelle Shaprow)
Some relaxed listening. Anan Ryoko never fails to impress with her pretty harmonies and melodies.
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宇多田ヒカル – Distance (m-flo remix)
Something nice someone pointed out to me! Are you hearing that classic m-flo sound? That j-poppy stuff mixed with some UK garage-y stuff. Gosh, I can’t get enough of it.
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Kenmochi Hidefumi - Ray
There’s no one quite like him.
