Music of Note: Japan

As visitors to this site know from the past I began reviewing some of my favorite guitar albums earlier this year. One thing I learned from this is how hard it is to review music, even when you love what the artists are playing. Music of Note will appear on this site from time to time featuring music I Have found on the web that has caused me to pause and give repeated listens. So check back often Music of Note will just appear and will not be part of the occasional email messages.

Cloudchair, the solo guitar project of Jake, an inventive guitarist creating what he calls “six string soundscapes” is the myspace site that I have visited more than any other. Jake’s list of influences include masters that resonate with my own: Eric Satie, Robert Fripp, Aphex Twin, and Django Rheinhardt. Jake uses delays to tastefully layer music that is pleasing to my ears. My personal favorite is Shirakava Echo, and I also really enjoy Echoes and Whispers and Caravan. Jake recently informed me that he has a new release coming out very soon. Stay tuned at http://www.myspace.com/cloudchair or his webite in Japanese at http://www.1sh.jp/?id=cloudchair .


Gadget is Hanamura Yoshihiro: harmonica, Matsuura Shinkuro: guitar, Kinouchi Takehiro: bass, and Fukuhara Takayuki on washboard. I am not certain that there is a similar line-up anywhere in Japan. There own description is “music from the toy box,nostalgic, but something new.”  There music is fun, bluesy, and a moving music. Every time I listen to Gadget 2 , there second CD release I just relax and smile and let them take me on a whimsical journey. Let this instrumental pop group take you on a heartwarming adventure in sound. Find Gadget at http://www.myspace.com/sentakuita or http://www.sentakuita.com .

Yamacyo is a relatively recent find of mine when I was surfing through Myspace recently. Shoji Chiyoda on acoustic guitar and Ryo Yamashita on gut guitar formed this duo in April of 2007. Together they create a gentle, lyrical music comprised of melodies that seem familiar yet are unique. I am looking forward to more music from  Yamacyo. There myspace site is http://www.myspace.com/yamacyo and there website is http://yamacyo.spaces.live.com/

Note: The link tool on this site is malfunctioning hence you can not jump to these wonderful musicians site. My apologies. BTW you can buy a digital download of Scattered Hearts for only $7.04 to celebrate Independence Day.

Please share any new music you find on the web with me. I am always looking for new music to feast my ears on.