Composer/producer Kiyoshi Yoshida studied at Berklee College of Music, and has become known for his combination of Eastern and Western elements on various allbums, film and TV soundtracks and fashion shows. On this album, he collaborates with shakuhachi player Yukihiko Mitsuka, a member of the group Tone. Nice mix of sounds.

Kuromisu is the name of the small room, located stage right hidden from the audience, at a Kabuki performance, and the name of the music performed in Kabuki theatre. Kuromisu (literally black bamboo curtains) is enclosed by black boards and from within the room, musicians play nagauta, to enhance the performance by matching the timing of the actors with their large and small drums, as a kind of sound effects. These might include sounds of nature such as thunder or rain. This CD is of 110 tunes conveying emotions, state of minds, etc..of the story, performed by the backing group of the kabuki actor Kikugoro Onoe. Comes with English liner notes.

Keisho Imai (1871-1947) was a Yamada school koto player known for his brilliant technique. This album includes his most famous composition Shin Zarashi (track1) recorded in 1930. The other three tracks were recorded at a later date, around 1935.

New solo album by koto player Yoko Nishi who studied koto under Tadao Sawai. On this album, she playes koto, seventeen stringed koto and an ancient harp like instrument called a kugo that originally came from China to Japan in the Nara period (710-794)

Impressive compilation of works by Asa-Chang, former leader of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and brilliant percussionist and drummer, as producer of other artists. Released on Ryuichi Sakamoto's Commmons label.

Soundtrack to the acclaimed film directed by Cedric Dupire and Gaspard Kuentz. Featuring many of the leading musicians of the Tokyo avant-garde music scene. Brilliant album featuring many artists we have featured for years.

Trio featuring fue/shinobue (flute) player Yukihiro Isso with guitarist Natsuki Kido and tabla player Masaki Yoshimi. Mixture of sounds and styles from traditional to modern from three fantastic musicians.

We don't expect to sell many, if any, of this box set. The most expensive item we carry. However, if you are interested in, or play shakuhachi, (like myself) and have money to spare (unlike myself) you might be tempted. The 11 CDs come with 63 music scores and 70 page A4 size book that contains an English summary. It all comes in a beautiful box made of fine paulownia wood. Limited edition of 300. Born in 1940, Shodo Sakai is the third head (soke) of the Chikuho ryu (school) of shakuhachi. Chikuho ryu was founded in 1917 in Osaka by Sakai Chikuou. Sakai Shodo is the second son of the founder. On this box set he plays the repertoire of the Myoan Shinpo Ryu, which continued the honkyoku tradition after the era of the Fuke sect, founded by Ozaki Shinryu. This is the style of the Komoso monks, and is regarded as the origin of zen shakuhachi. Today there is no longer an organization of Myoan Shinpo Ryu. Sakai Shodo learnt the repertoire from great masters including his own father.

Live recital from 2009 (except the final track a studio recording from 2001). Mitsuhashi Kifu, born in 1950, is a master of the Kinko school. He has been awarded numerous prizes and has played extensively overseas as well as in Japan.

First album from 1976 when Akiko was 21, recorded mostly in Los Angeles with Lowell George and Little Feat. Includes the track Denwasen, one of her most popular songs.

Live album of Akiko's first concert from 1976, mostly just piano and vocals.

Second studio album but of songs Akiko recorded when she was 19 prior to her debut record.

Recorded in 1978, Akiko's first self-produced album. Recorded in New York with local musicians except for programmer Hideki Matsutake.

Second live album from 1979 featuring YMO, Tatsuro Yamashita and Minako Yoshida.

The Nippon Modern Times Series is a collaboration of four of the oldest record companies in Japan; Victor, Columbia, Teichiku and King. The series focuses on archive recordings of Japanese jazz and swing music made between 1928 and 1942, many of them released onto CD for the first time. It's commonly believed that jazz was introduced into Japan by Americans following World War II. There were however, already dance halls in Tokyo where jazz and tango had been played since the 1920s. Utako Matsushima was a female muse of King Records. On this album she sings 24 Japanese flavoured tango tunes, many never previously released on CD.

Compilation of seminal jazz and 'urban' songs popular in the dance halls of Tokyo such as the Florida, and Osaka, such as the Paulista, during the 1930s. All 36 tracks are released on CD for the first time and include many rare tunes.

Known as the 'Empire of Jazz', Dick Mine was one of the biggest stars of his day. Born as Tokuichi Mine, he translated the words of the song Dinah into Japanese himself, which became his first hit single. Dinah is featured with other 'urban' classics released mostly during the war. All 35 tracks are released onto CD for the first time, and include rarities such as 'White Heat' and 'Romantic'.

The best jazz and popular songs by Ichiro Fujiyama, one of the giants of 'ryukoka', Japanese popular music from the 1920s to 50s, that adopted the style of Western classical music. Fujiyama himself was a classically trained baritone singer, later becoming a tenor. He became a big star in the 1930s. Aside to Japanese popular songs, he also sung Western songs. This album contains both, but mostly the Western style.

Jazz songs by female singers, some nisei, second generation - children born to Japanese parents overseas- such as Fumiko Kawabata from Hawaii, Cherry Miyano from Los Angeles and Marie Yvonne who was the first singer in Japan to sing tango in Spanish.

Akira Kishii was a comedian/actor/singer (1910-1965) who became a star in the early Showa period, along with others in a similar vain such as Enoken (Kenichi Enomoto) and Roppa Furukawa. This album features all of his recordings which have never been released onto CD before.

First album in ten years from the duo of YMO drummer/singer Yukihiro Takahashi and keyboard player Keiichi Suzuki of the band Moonriders. Original songs plus cover of the Lovin' Spoonful's Didn't Want To Have To Do It.

Collection of tracks chosen by viewers of Ustream of concerts from Sakamoto's US tour from 17th October 2010 - 5th November and a concert held in Seoul on 9th January 2011. Super Eco package Carbon offset CD.

Originally released in 1981. Second album from Japanese five piece technopop band produced by Haruomi Hosono (YMO) and featuring Hideki Matsutake as guest musician. Vocalist Mishio Ogawa has been called the princess of Japanese technopop. Satekoso is regarded as an experimental album with scat style vocals of Ogawa on a couple of tracks. Digitally remastered version with 5 bonus tracks.

Latest offering in the ongoing series for the Hula programme of the 'Tipness' fitness club. This is rather like a 'Best Of' album from Sandii's five Hawaiian albums. Mix of styles from traditional to modern lounge/exotica. Includes some tracks from Sandii's Hawaii series that have been deleted. 8 tracks.

Taeko Onuki came to prominence in the early 70s as a singer/songwriter and member of the group Sugar Babe. She is a long time collaborator of Ryuichi Sakamoto, whose label Commmons release this album.

Live album by limba player Sakaki Mango together with female marimba trio performing at Musashino Art College as an event accompanying the exhibition of journalist Toyo Nakamura music collection. CD plus limited edition DVD. High quality recording and filming of a dynamic and one-off concert.

Hiromichi Sakamoto is an extraordinary cello player who has played with Cicala Mvta, UA, Otomo Yoshihide and many more. Known for his musical saw and electronic effects, he is one of the leading lights of the Tokyo avant-garde underground. This is his soundtrack to an art animation by Keita Kurozaka, who spent 13 years making the film. Great list of accompanying musicians including Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi and Takero Sekijima (Kuricorder Quartet). Saxes, trumpets, tuba, violin, vibraphone, koto and other instruments make this an extraordinary soundtrack to an extraordinary film.

Japan's leading bandoneon player releases his third album themed around the music of Astor Piazzolla. Fantastic musicianship from artist regarded by many as best bandoneon player outside of Argentina.

Tango album from the always inventive veteran folk/world musician Morio Agata. Both original and covers with his own unique twist on tango.

Recorded in Argentina and Uruguay with local musicians. From Uruguay and Argentine folk to tango and jazz. High quality album from female vocalist with great support cast.

Twenty sixth album from Japan's best known bossa nova singer on which she sings Japanese pop tunes in bossa nova style mostly in Japanese.

Duo of Junko Fuchigami on vocals, melodeon, kazoo and other small instruments, plus Hiroshi Funato on contrabass. Simple, original, charming, acoustic music. Just finished tour of Switzerland.

The 'friends' of the Japanese guitarist, who has played with Okinawa's Takashi Hirayasu among others, are Taiwanese musicians, including Lin Sheng Xiang playing pipa (lute), yue qin (moon guitar), Finish musician Pekko Kappu on jouhikko (bowed instrument from Finland) plus accordion and bass. Really nice mix of Chinese and other styles, mostly laid back.

Compilation of Ainu music mostly performed or produced by OKI, the leading contemporary Ainu musician. Good place to discover the music of the Ainu, with great tracks by late female elder singer Umeko Ando to female group Marewrew and Oki in various guises from solo to with his Dub Ainu Band.

Latest album from the guitarist/kyujo hensyo player with group on shinobue, noukan (flutes) koto, bass, percussion, biwa and syo. Relaxing, laid back acoustic guitar with mix of western and traditional instrument accompaniment. Beautifully recorded and performed.

Soundtrack of the film called 'Ichimei' about the life and the death of two samurai. First 3Dsamurai film directed by Takashi Miike featuring Ebizo Ichikawa in the main role. 19 tracks. The film made the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival 2011.

Concerto for koto and orchestra written by Ryuichi Sakamoto for the koto player Kazue Sawai. Track 5 is an additional track to the concerto, conducted by Yutaka Sado.

Tomomi Tono is a leading player of the sho, the free reed instrument used in gagaku, an ancient traditional music of Japan. She has played on three of Sakamoto's albums, Gohatto, Out of Noise and Inochi and contributed to the Haruomo Hosono tribute album. Tono has created a performance called Breathing Media, exploring the capability of the sho as a sound media that synchronizes the natural reflex of breathing using sensors that are activated by the sho. On this album she performs one of the greatest gagaku pieces Choshi. Produced by and includes one remix by Sakamoto.

Various contemporary electronic artists from Japan pay tribute to the Yellow Magic Orchestra. Features Calm, Macho Robot and other superb cutting edge musicians.

Freedommune Zero was a charity outdoor concert, due to be held in August 2011 but cancelled because of the bad weather in the Kawasaki region. Tomita was one of the artists set to perform, with his 'Planets with Dawn Chorus' scheduled to be the final performance of the event. However, it was only ever performed in rehearsal, and with no public audience, it has been decided to release the work on this album. Based on his work The Planets, there is a newly written part and also parts of Dawn Chorus with trumpet (by Senya Honma) and an unreleased composition Tristan and Isolde.

The brilliant quartet return for their seventh full album, music inspired by their frist wolrd tour in May 2011. For limited time comes with free compilation album, Meet the Kuricorder Quartet.

Album by shakuhachi player together with Steude Quartet, comprised of members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, contiuning the orchestra's long tradition of spawning string quartets. Fujiwara and Steude Quartet first performed together in Japan in 2008, and have continued to play together whenever possible. This album features old and new masterpieces from the East and West includes two songs written by Fujiwara and onother two songs by Michiru Oshima who also arranged the tracks on this album.

Yuki Yamauchi collaborates with Hawaiian stars such as Alden Levi, Kenneth Makuakane, Nathan Aweau, Keao Costa, Barry Flanagan, Irona Irvine. It also includes instrumental songs played solo by Yamauchi on steel guitar and slack key guitar.

Good album of traditional Japanese music that provides a soundtrack to the New Year celebrations. The most famous compositions heard at New Year by some of the traditioanl music world's most acclaimed musicians.

Collection of recordings originally released by koto played Michio Miyagi (1894-1956) recorded between 1925 and 1927.

More cool, hypnotic grooves from the limba playing Sakaki Mango and his band. Mango studied limba (thumb piano) under the late, great Tanzanian player Hukwe Ubi Zawose. He also plays mbira and the Congolese electric likimbe. This latest album was inspired by his roots in Kagoshima, in the deep south of Japan, including the distinctive local dialect. With this album, Sakaki seems to have cemented his own original sound, mixing African with Japanese influences on a contemporary, varied and highly listenable album.

Second album from the wonderful Tokyo based band, mixing homegrown roots music, with styles from around the world. Lead singer Kiwi Ohashi usually sings and plays shamisen at exclusive Japanese-style restaurants called 'Ryotei'. Their music takes its inspiration from Japanese minyo, pop, ching-dong, Ainu music, and extraneous sounds such as Brazilian foro, dub and reggae. Fresh and exciting. Band consists of Kiwi Ohashi (shamisen, vo), Koharu (accordion), Yuko Furuoya (percussion), Go Arani (violin, sitar), Takuto Hirose (bass), Seiya Omori (guitar) and Masaki Nagata (drums).

Seventh album from highly rated club jazz band. Includes guest female vocalist Maia Hirasawa.

Drum & bass album in the literal sense from drummer Gota Yashiki and bassist Takayoshi Matsunaga, both of the group Mute Beat. Mute Beat were one of the most influential bands in Japan, in the fields of dub and reggae. Gota went on to perform with Simply Red, and collaborated with Soul II Soul, Sinead O'Connor and Seal among others. Mostly drums and bass with some keyboards, guitar samples, and effect vocals.

Stripped down solo album from Takashi Nakagawa of Soul Flower Union. Mostly solo acoustic guitar, plus occasional Okinawan sanshin, bouzouki, and perucssion. New songs, some previously recorded by Soul Flower, including Mangetsu no Yube, and starts with a new version of an Irish traditional tune.

New album from Kazue Sawai mainly fetaures compositions for seventeen stringed koto.These include 'Hana ni Naru' written by Tadao Sawai for Kazue and released for the first time on CD, and 'Nabari no Mittsu' recorded just after the earthquake in Tohoku. Plus there's the classic masterpiece 'Junana-gen, Rokudan' and 'Unebiyama' played on a five stringed koto, similar to an ancient Chinese instrument.

Superb bossa nova album recorded in 1971 by koto player Tadao Sawai and shakuahchi player Minoru Muraoka. They are joined by other artists such as Kayoko Iju and Union All Stars.

First album fromTsugaru shamisen duo Yutaka Oyama and Masahiro Nitta. Oyama and Nitta are two of Japan's foremost shamisen players. They play classic and original compositions with great skill. Oyama, from Aomori and Nitta from Hokkaido both began playing Tsugaru shamisen from a young age and have performed extensively around the world. Their latest tour in the US included a date at the Carnegie Hall.

Joint album by koto player Norihiro Ishikawa and flute player Yoshiki Nose playing Western classical and Japanese traditional music.

Osaka based koto player Michimine Ohta, plays three stringed koto, seventeen stringed koto and sings on this album of compositions by koto player Shihou Kikumine. Accompaniment by musicians playing koto, shakuhachi with some traditional style storytelling.

Re-release of a legendary Kawachi Ondo LP Tokyo Nagurikomi Live / Kawachi Ondo San-on Kai All Stars, originally released in 1983. This is the album of the first Kawachi Ondo festivals that took place in the Kanto area around Tokyo, performed at 'Shibuya Live In 82' and 'Kinshi-cho Ginsei Gekijo' in July 1982. For people in Tokyo, Kawachi Ondo, from the Kansai region of Osaka, the festival was a revelation, one of the few examples of a tradition that had changed and adapted down the years and now came with a contemporary edge, that simply wasn't there in most other bon dances. This fantastic CD features the original recording of 'Muhonmatsu no Issho' (track 4), not included on the LP and a dub arrangement of Akagi no Komoriuta. CD jacket is the same classic illustration as the original LP by Yosuke Kawamura.

Second volume of the Zomeki groove from the Awa Dance from Tokushima, recorded and produced by Makoto Kubota in Tokushima. Authentic Awa Dance performed by eight groups. Brilliant Japanese festival music.

Street style Awa Dance performed by seven groups. This style is only played on kane (bell), oh-daiko (drum) and snare drums. They usualy play and walk on the streets far from the main event of the Awa Dance festival in Tokushima.

Remix album of the Koenji Awa Odori Zomeki album, previously recorded and released by Makoto Kubota. From tribal sounds to cool laid back remixes by Kubota and various other remixers. Recommended.

Fantastic old recording of Shoji Utae, eldest sister of legendary manzai (comedy) sister trio Kashimashi Musume. Utae sings her version of minyo with jazz and latin style sounds. Rare recordings, 26 tracks with two manzai performances by her teachers Eiji Togami and Kimie Azuma.

Nanjarahowers were a 1940s comic band from Osaka, led by a lady called Miss Taeko, with three other musicians. Not much more is known about the group, except they made some wonderful music. This is an album of all their recorded output, 10 tracks, originally released as 78s released by Taihei Records during the Second World War, and two songs released after the war when the group performed under the name of Miss Taeko and Her Group.

Sakon Miyagawa Show were a humorous rokyoku trio from Osaka, featuring Sako Miyagawa, Kazuo Matsushima and Teruo Akatsuki. This is their complete album, the 4 tracks from their two albums recorded in the 1970s on CD1 and 13 kayokyoku (pop) tracks by Matsushima and Akatsuki and an unreleased live recording by Sakon Miyagawa Show.

Now rare recordings of female rokyoku star from before and after the war. This album compiles all her reordings she made for Japan Mercury in the 1950s.

The Kanazawa Phonograph Museum in Ishikawa houses some 20,000 78 records and 540 phonographs. This CD is a collection of popular kayokyoku 78 records, recorded from phonographs such as the Victrola Credenza and the EMG Expert.

Tsugaru Shamisen duo who performed at WOMAD UK July 2011 and in London in March 2011. Tsugaru shamisen accompanied by occasional fue (flute) and percussion. Dynamic performance, from originals to Tsugaru Shamisen standards and even Okinawan shima uta.Comes in slim line case.

Tsugaru Shamisen is still the hottest genre of traditional music in Japan right now. Within Japan, Yoshida Brothers are at the forefront of this movement. Kenichi Yoshida, one of the shamisen twins, is the producer of this album that features eight Tsugaru shamisen players in the first Tsugaru Shamisen orchestra.

Second album from the excellent instrumental trio of Dozan Fujiwara (shakuhachi), Nobuo Furukawa (cello) and Takeshi Senoo (piano). On this album they collaborate with well known singers such as Miki Imai and Rimi Natsukawa.

Koto player who learned from koto master Michio Miyagi and his successors Kiyoko and Kazue Miyagi plays tunes for solo koto.

Master of fue, composer, researcher and founder of gagaku orchestra Reigakusha, plays a modern gagaku suite in classic gagaku style with his gagaku ensemble.

Ancient Chinese music restored to biwa score found in Tonko in China.

Second album of humerous songs played by manga artist and musician Masayuki Qusumi. Ukulele, guitar, pianica, percussion, and other instruments, combine in a kind of light retro-pop, folk blues sound full of Japanese flavours and tastes.

New release from Sakamoto's Commmons label of the bossa nova duo, Naomi Fuse (vocals) and Goro Ito (guitar). Collaboration with avant garde jazz and club musician and producer Naruyoshi Kikuchi. From covers of Prefab Sprout and Hall & Oates to Antonio Carlos Jobim and original songs from Goro Ito and Kikuchi. Bossa Nova plus electronic sounds.

Compiled by Sandii of her own music for a Hula programme at the fitness club 'Tipness' in Japan. Hawaiian masterpieces sung by Sandii plus her original song (track 9).

Another compilation album of Sandii's music, compiled by Sandii, and made for the Hula programme at Tipness fitness club. More Hawaiian classics and an Hawaiian version of the Japanese song 'Kimi to Itsumademo'.

Sandii's debut album as 'Sandi Ai' originally released in 1975 from Toho Record. Tracks 1 to 6 are original songs written by popular writers at that time such as Lily and Teruhiko Aoi. Tracks 7 to 12 are covers of Western pop songs and track 13 to 18 are karaoke versions of the first six tracks of the album.

Post dub trio Miimo's fourth album creating minimal, electronic but analogue music using steel pan. Includes cover of Bjork's 'Hyperballad'. Group members are Tatsu (bass, electronics), Yoshio Machida (steel pan, electronics) and Norihide Saji (drums, electronics).

dtf is an electronic music project by Makoto Katagiri who has been part of the electronic world since in late 90s with various projects such as Persistence, Regis, Makoto Katagari and others. Highly rated solo album.

New band featuring some of Japan's most respected musicians. Fishmans were a legendary dub/rock band of the 1990s, their singer Shinji Sato tragically dying in 1999. So Many Tears comprises Kinichi Mogi (Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Fishmans), Takashi Kato (Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra) and Yuzuru Kashiwabara (Fishmans). Cool, sophisticated rock with many other elements.

Best of album from one of the most popular Japanese Hawaiian singers, a pioneer of Hawaiin music during the 1950s.

Modern Irish Project are currently Japan's best Irish music band. They were formed by Aiko Obuchi (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Koji Nagano (guitar, banjo) and Tomosuke Tajima (drums, percussion) in 2007, performing at Irish pubs and bars regulary around Tokyo. They tour the Kansai area every year where they have also gained a lot of fans.

Follow on album to 2007's Cendre, from Ryuichi Sakamoto and Austrian guitarist Christian Fennesz, a pioneer of laptop music. Melancolic, atmospheric acoustic and electronic music. Fennesz has recently performed with YMO in Los Angeles and San Francisco, June 2011.

Recorded in 1976, The Planets is considered as one of Isao Tomita's greatest works. The Ultimate Edition is a Super Audio CD playable on any audio CD player. It also comes with 4.00 channel Super Audio surround sound.

Originally released in 2000, expanded version with Japanese traditional instruments, synthesizers and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and Yoshiko Sakata's narration of the famous old Japanese tale, translated into modern Kyoto dialect. SACD 5.0ch Surround, SACD Stereo, CD Audio.

Excellent album by female singer Salyu, produced by Keigo 'Cornelius' Oyamada. Cormelius is also the songwriter, with lyrics by Shintaro Sakamoto of Yura Yura Teikoku, Nanao Tavito and Seiko Ito.

Originally released in 1982. Includes YMO Medley with songs including Technopolis, Rydeen, Tong-Poo, Nice Age, Behind the Mask and Insomnia.

Originally released in 1981. Produced by Haruomi Hosono and Moichi Kuwabara. Comedy skits mixed with music by YMO, Sheena & The Rokkets, Sandii and others.

Originally released in 1983, featuring Yann Tomita and the group Water Melon, a pioneer of Japanese exotica.

Originally released in 1981. Features Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yukihiro Takahashi, plus Rip Rig & Panic, Melon and Holger Czukay.

Live album of Fujiwara's 10th anniversary concert held in Tokyo November 2010. Fujiwara plays compositions by his teacher Hozan Yamamoto accompanied by other shakuhachi players and seventeen stringed koto.

Second album from the son of the great master Hozan Yamamoto. Various poetic compositions that include a shakuhachi solo, a concerto, a duo with koto and seventeen stringed koto, and an ensemble with percussion. All compositions by Shinzan Yamamoto.

Six classic and modern sangen (shamisen) tunes played by Akiko Nishigata, a Yamada school koto/sangen player together with shakuhachi maestro Reibo Aoki and koto player Kono Kameyama. Includes English liner notes.

Japanese summer songs from the pop and traditional (minyo and nagauta) music worlds, performed by the Waraku Ensemble playing various Japanese traditional instruments such as shakuhachi, fue, koto, shamisen, kokyu and taiko. Music for a Japanese cafe, or tea house. Includes extensive English liner notes. Recommended.

Kyoto was the centre of Japanese culture for about 1000 years, from 794 until 1869, when the Imperial Palace relocated to Tokyo. This is an album that guides you through the city of Kyoto, the scenery, the changing of the seasons and the rich atmosphere of the old capital. Well known Japanese traditional tunes from different genres, played on shamisen, koto, kokyu, shakuhachi and shinobue. Includes unusual arrangments of 'Sakura' and 'Haru no Umi'. Comes with English and French liner notes.

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Kouta '(short song' sometimes played by geisha) album by Toyotsuma Kasuga (vocals, shamisen) and Toyogoyuki Kasuga (shamisen) collaborationg with Rakugo artist Ensho Sanyutei 6th.

Classic and modern tunes for koto and shamisen (sangen) played by master musician Yasuko Nakashima and musicians from Seiha Hougakukai, an organisation of Ikuta school Koto artists.

One of the pioneers of Nagauta Shamisen who died in 2009, recorded in the 1960s and 1970s. Sho Chiku Bai (= Matsu, Take, Ume) pine, bamboo and plum all play significant roles in Japanese culture, particularly for happy and festive occations.

Various ondo tunes from all over Japan sung by a line-up of great artists including Harumi Miyako, Koume Akasaka and Kikusuimaru Kawachiya.

Fourth album by the Kawachi Ondo king. this one featuring Yukari Onishi and Shang Shang Typhoon.

The greatest Kawachi Ondo tunes sung by the leading singers.

Japanese guitarist playing paulownia guitar with Sofia Quintet plus contrabass. Recorded in Sofia. Koumazaki's guitar with its trademark Japanese sound and European classical accompaniment.

Studio recording of relaxing acoustic paulownia guitar, beautifully played and recorded.

Remix by OKI and dub engineer emperor Naoyuki Uchida (Little Tempo, Dry & Heavy) of Sakhalin Rock released in 2010. Brillaint album of hard and spacy dub.

All the big names from the Japanese reggae and dub music scenes get together and record 10 new tracks. Artists are from Mute Beat, Little Tempo, Major Force, Determinations, Dry & Heavy, Audio Active, Dubsensemania and other bands.

Gota Yashiki's guitar instrumental album of Hawaiian music with elements of surf music, resort music and healing music.

Greatest Hits selected by YMO with newly remastered tracks by Tom Coyne and artwork by Carsten Nicolai.

Reissue of seventh and final album by Yellow Magic Orchestra released in 1993, 10 years after the group's original break up. Includes English version of Pocketful of Rainbows, Pocket ni Niji ga Ippai.

Jazz quintet play covers of YMO tunes.

Hideki Matsutake is a composer, arranger, producer, synthesizer programmer and mixer who started his music career as an assistant of Isamu Tomita to create music by using the Moog Synthesizer which was unusual at that time. He became a pioneer of Moog Synthesizer and joined Akiko Yano's album 'Tokimeki' in 1978 and then joined Ryuichi Sakamoto's first solo album. That lead him to participate in YMO's albums as a sound programmer from 1978 until 1982. Joined YMO's world tour and during which he used a bank of synthesizers and he was called 'YMO's 4th member'. Formed his own unit Logicsystem in 1981 and has released 10 albums so far. This is his new album and he is also starting new label 'Motion +-' focusing on electronic and synthesizer music. This is limited edition release featuring DJ Harvey, Dub Master X, Saito 'JxJx' Jun and 80 Kidz.

Sandii covers Hawaiian hit songs from the Showa period.

Best of compilation released for the extraordinary quartet's, 'World Tour 2011' Comes with English liner notes.

Compilation of the first 10 years of Kuricorder Quartet including soundtracks to films such as Quill, theme from the NHK TV programme Pythagora Switch, tracks from compilations, such as I've Just Seen a Face from Ukulele Beatles 4, plus some new recordings. 20 tracks.

Soundtrack to the popular travelling TV series on Japan's Fuji TV 'Ginza OL Sekai o Yuku!' featuring Kuricorder Quartet.

12 Christmas songs from the wonderful Kuricorder Quartet, some you'll know, some you won't. Click on listen to here one you will.

Second volume of Christmas tunes, done Kuricorder style.

Gastronomics are three talented musicians, Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi (Kuricorder Quartet, Shibusashirazu) on ukulele, recorder, sax, Hiroyasu Yaguchi on sax, clarinet and Darie on accordion, piano and harmonica. Jazzy, fun, upbeat, sometimes relaxing.

Takero Sekijima is one of Japan's unheralded musical talents. Playing tuba and recorder, he was a member of the pioneering group Compostela in the 1980s, played on Okinawan Tetsuhiro Daiku's brilliant albums in the mid 90s, is a member of Cicala Mvta and Kuricorder Quartet. This album contains his compositions from three soundtracks. He is joined by musicians he has collaborated with for many years, such as Kenji Kondo (Kuricorder Quartet), Kanji Nakao and several others.

Excellent album of Hawaiian music from the wonderful Sandii. Recorded mainly in Hawaii with Hawaiian musicians, plus Yuki 'Alani' Yamauchi. Sandii's Hawaiian 5th contains mostly hula standards, that Sandii describes as her 'alohatherapy'. Quality singing and musicianship.

Takero Sekijima is one of Japan's unheralded musical talents. Playing tuba and recorder, he was a member of the pioneering group Compostella in the 1980s, played on Okinawan Tetsuhiro Daiku's brilliant albums in the mid 90s, is a member of Cicala Mvta, and Kuricorder Quartet. This album contains his compositions from three soundtracks. He is joined by musicians he has collaborated with for many years, such as Kenji Kondo (Kuricorder Quartet), Kanji Nakao and several others.

Wonderful collaboration album, recorded in 2005 finally gets a release. Yagi is one of the Koto world's most fearless collaborators and innovators and on this album plays 21 string and 17 string bass koto, sometimes using a bass bow or drumsticks to add to the sonic possibilities. Sharp,meanwhile, is well known in the New York experimental music scene, a multi-instrumentalist, mainly a guitar player and pioneer of lap top computers as part of the performance. Sharp plays an eight string guitar bass with a laptop interface, and the two improvise to create a variety of moods, from intense pieces to deeply meditative moments, many with a Japanese traditional edge.

Released April 2011, first album for nearly four years and 38 years since his first solo album, Hosono House. Original songs and covers. Other musicians include regular live support musicians such as Ren Takada, Miharu Koshi, Wataru Iga (Sakerock) Shigeri Kitsu, Tin Pan Alley members Shigeru Suzuki, Tateo Hayashi, Hiroshi Sato, plus pop singer Cocco, Yoko Ono and Van Dyke Parks.

Excellent compilation of some of Asia's greatest singers from Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia. Many of these are from the 1950s and 60s such as Japan's Hamako Watanabe and Korea's Patti Kim, with more recent tracks from the 80s such as Okinawa's Shokichi Kina and Champloose with the song 'Hana'. Superb singers and famous songs makes this a great compilation to discover classic Asian popular music.