So I managed to get through the singing of Shiki No Uta (Song of the Four Seasons) in Japanese the other evening (see https://youtu.be/oNhPgEEtgw0?t=3663 at around the 1hr mark, but don't listen too closely!). That song came from the anime series Samurai Champloo - and this incredibly beautiful song is also featured! I knew this song already though!! It's by Ikue Asazaki, a fantastic singer from the Amami Islands off the southwest coast of Japan - her voice is so expressive, so ancient and modern at the same time. Amazingly, I got to meet her in Tokyo - it was a wonderful encounter (she is very sweet and humble) and I felt very, very lucky. Here's the song "Obokuri-Eeumi", as heard in Episode 14 of Samurai Champloo...
Wow, that is a spectacular piece, yeah, her voice (not too perfect and sweet, therefore more interesting and beautiful) and vocal style and the gorgeous piano. I’m wondering if those were the islands you were talking about visiting in one of the Passport Radio episodes. So great you got to meet her, and so great you’ve shared the pictures! Looking forward to more Japanese songs out of your mouth!
Intentional! - You know what you want!;)
Reggae musicians - wow - that's a mix! When was this ?
Can you play it?
How did you get to meet her? A chance encounter or half arranged? Either way I can see you were thrilled!:) How lovely.