Return to form for the female quartet Nenes. This quartet don't have the maturity of voice of the original version, but do a pretty good job on an album that has a big production and sound without the cheesy keyboards and 70s guitar solos that marred earlier efforts. Sixteen backing musicians play keyboards, sax, piano, bass, guitars and Okinawan instruments on a mixture of original Sadao China tunes, traditional Okinawan songs plus the Indonesian classic Bengawan Solo and a version of Coffee Rumba. Some are quite simple traditional arrangements, others more elaborate and overall a good mix. 14 tracks.

Okinawa's Takashi Hirayasu has already proved himself a master musician in collaborating with musicians from around the world. These include on record, two acclaimed albums with American guitarist Bob Brozman, while in concert Hirayasu has played with musicians from Guinea, (West Africa), La Reuinion (Indian Ocean island), India, Cuba and elsewhere. Hirayasu's latest recording and live partner is one of Japan's finest acoustic guitar players Yoshikawa Chuei. Chuei adds a dazzling array of acoutic textures including National steel guitar, Dobro guitar, banjo, mandolin and ukulele to the Okinawan sanshin (3 stringed lute) of Hirayasu to perform some of Okinawa's best loved songs.

Price:   £18.99

Recorded in LA with Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Jim Keltner and others. Superb blend of Lindley and Cooder's guitar with the female chorus vocals. From spinetingling ballads to upbeat numbers. Probably Nenes best album, and the Far Side's best selling album.

Double CD of 33 tracks taken from all the original Nenes CDs recorded for Sony. |ncludes some live tracks, and many of the original versions of their best known songs. Excellent value and a good retrospective CD of one of Okinawa's most important ever artists.


Price:   £19.99

Classic album recorded in Hawaii in 1980, together with Ry Cooder. Features the first version of the beautiful 'Hana', plus other landmark tunes including 'Jing Jing'.

Rinken Band re-record all their best known "Eisa" songs. So, there's plenty of drumming, and chants of "Haieeeya, Haieeeyah, Haieeeya Sah Sah". With just sanshin, drumming and vocals, and without the curse of the synthesizer on some of the originals, Rinken Band have never sounded better. Eisa is the summer festival in Okinawa, where dancers and drummers take to the streets, egged on by the incessant chant of the crowd. Uniquely Okinawan, vibrant, a living, evolving tradition, and this CD gives you a real taste.


Price:   £18.99

Toru Yonaha is one of Okinawa's fast rising stars on the traditional music scene as a session player, producer and an artist in his own right. Following his kacharsee (dance) tunes album, this is an album of Warabeuta (children's songs and lullabies). Songs include old classics such as Ita Anma Makaiga, Tinsagu nu Hana, Akata Sundunchi and Chinukujushi and modern classics such as Warabi Gami. Mostly sung in female vocal unison by Mika Uchizato, Natsuki Nakamura and Ayano Uema. This album sometimes recalls early Nenes, but with a more simple instrumentation of sanshin, percussion, flute and piano. Excellent.

The workaholic sanshin player Toru Yonaha is joined by Kazunari Uechi (ex-Rinken Band) producer and arranger Katsushi Arakaki on an album of instrumentals of famous tunes. Among the 16 tracks are Shimauta, Nada Sousou, Shimanchu Nu Takara, Hana, Warabigami, Haisai Ojisan, Asadoya Yunta, Irayoi Tsukihama, Heiwa No Ryuka, Bye Bye Okinawa, Juku No Haru, Arigato and Tinsagu Nu Hana.


Price:   £16.99

Okinawan music and Japanese ching dong (street advertising music) have become strange but compatible bedfellows ever since Tetsuhiro Daiku and Soul Flower Mononoke Summit back in the mid 90s. Ten years on its still a winning formula and has even given rise to the name of a group. Mini CD of three Okinawan songs (+ karaoke version) including Asadoya Yunta are blended with Ryukyu pop. Also includes DVD with promotion video clips.

Okinawan Trance Music; the new project by the innovative Kenji Yano(Surf Champlers). Okinawan music for the new century.


Price:   £18.99

Instrumental versions of Okinawan songs, played on sanshin and guitar with percussion, keyboards electronic sound effects and mouth organ, resulting in the first ever Okinawan meets country music on the song "Wild East".

The Surf Champlers is the second project by Kenji Yano who on this brilliant album mixes traditional standard Okinawan katcharsee tunes with surf music,also includes a stunning take on the James Bond Theme. Quite simply, a little piece of genius.


Price:   £18.99

Wonderful mixture of Okinawan, Hawaiian and Caribbean music, featuring ukulele, sanshin and guitar.

Latest album from the very wonderful Kenji Yano (Surf Champlers, Sarabandge) on ukulele together with Morijiro Ishihara on acoustic guitar. Mostly laid back, relaxing music played beautifully. Tracks include Okinawan standards and famous tunes such as Hana, Haisai Ojisan, Shima Uta, Bashofu, Nada Sousou, Hiyamakachi Bushi and Asadoya Yunta. Should appeal equally to fans of Okinawan and Hawaiian music and one of the best albums that combines them both.


Price:   £16.99

Moriken is the Okinawan ukulele duo of Kenji Yano (Surf Champlers, Sarabandge) and Morijiro Ishihara. They peform well known Okinawan tunes with some on a National Resonator concert ukulele. Laid back, Hawaiian feel to these Okinawan classics with the sound of the sea running underneath. 1. Opening Theme - Awabuku # 1 (on baritone) 2. Tsuki nu Kaisha 3. Tinsagu nu Hana 4. Nanta Hama 5. Moriken Swing # 1 (on baritone) 6. Shimajima Kaisha 7. Densaa Bushi 8. Yuuna no Hana 9. Moriken Swing # 2 10. Erabu Medley (Erabu Shunsami-Erabu Yuri no Hana - Erabu no Komoriuta) 11. Toushin Doi 12. Moriken Swing # 3 (on National Resonator Concert) 13. Closing Theme - Awabuki # 2 (on tenor)

Mixture of Hawaiian and Okinawan songs, featuring singers Maki Uehara (also of Hawaiiana) and Makico Miyara plus Gerhen Oshima (also Tingara) and the omni-present Yuki Yamauchi. Second album 12 tracks including Aloha Oe, Pua Mae 'ole from Hawaii and Okinawan classics Hana and Asadoya Yunta.

Price:   £18.99

Re-release from 1999 from Syakari, the Okinawan pop group made up of female singer Chiaki (ex-Diamantes) ex-Rinken Band member Kazumari Uechi on sanshin and percussion and guitarist Masaru Kadekaru. 12 tracks.

Another re-release from the ex-Diamantes/Rinken Band duo plus guitarist. 12 tracks of Okinawan pop.


Price:   £17.99

Ganeko and Yoshikawa met each other at Ganeko's recording of 'Asobiyara Tururunten' in 1995. Ganeko joined Takashi Hirayasu and Yoshikawa's 'Oto Asobi' concert in Okinawa as a guest singer in 2001, singing 'Tinsagunu Hana' and 'Musume Jin-To-Yo' which are included on this album. Elsewhere, are other traditional repertoire, 'Onna Kubushi' 'Ikema Miyarabi', plus the Irish folk song, 'Danny Boy' covered in Okinawan dialect, and a Japanese cover version of 'Hard Times Come Again No More' written by Steven Foster and some children's songs. It adds up to two quite separate performances, those sung and played in a traditional way, and others, in a entirely Western manner. Seeing as Ganeko is one of Okinawa's best min'yo or folk singers these are the more successful.

The second album from the Okinawan female singer and Japanese acoustic guitarist. Singing in the traditional minyo style, Yoriko sounds great and the accompaniment of guitar and sanshin suits her voice perfectly. Trouble is, too often she switches to a rather saccharine sentimental pop style, negating in one ill advised stroke, the essence of the music and it's greatest appeal. Patchily good, occasionally infuriating.


Price:   £18.99

The first release by the new Nenes, following the departure of all their former singers. The quartet this time are much younger. While the originals had already served their apprenticeship in the min'yo clubs, the new Nenes learnt by 'on the job' training in their own 'Shima Uta' bar. On this album they are accompanied by other young musicians, including Sadao China's son. The reggae and pop influences are still combined cleverly with more traditional elements, but at the moment the women's voice are nowhere near as evolved, or as beautiful, as the Nenes you might know. Nevertheless, it's a good start.

A big hit locally in Okinawa and its easy to hear why. Team Kukuru are the two young female Okinawa pop duo, Kuyu and Eri, singing a mixture of Okinawan tunes (Jin Jin, Hana nu Kajimaya) Japanese (Mangetsu no Yube, Sukiyaki) and original tunes. Formed in 2004 they mainly perfom in Okinawa and in Osaka where Kuyu was born. Some songs arranged and produced by Kenji Yano (Surf Champlers) while Sachiko Shima writes some of the songs and plays sanshin. With Hawaiian and other global influences and strong melodies this is exactly what Okinawan pop should sound like. Bright and breezy.


Price:   £16.99

Shima uta pop trio, Coi-na are three singers who auditioned (and passed) for the new Nenes. One member dropped out afterwhich they changed their name to Coi-na in 2005 and now release their first mini-album. Six tracks including a version of Asadoya Yunta and Amazing Grace, which goes under the Okinawan name of Yunige e Unaikami nu Inori. Glossy Okinawa pop.

From Japan, Shisars and their 'sister' group An-Chang Project, release albums only sporadically, but boy, are they worth waiting for. This latest offering from Shisars just about surpasses the lot in its boldness and radical treatment of traditional Okinawan and Japanese tunes. It all starts off ordinarily enough, with just sanshin (lute) the kokyu (fiddle) playing low and high drones with the trademark harmony voices of female singers Yoshie and Akemi gliding over the top. By the second tune, Mr Insuke, that kicks off with African sounding percussion and guitar picking, yet a distinct Asian melody and vocals that gradually speeds up to a wanton frenzy, any sense of ordinariness has long gone out the window. What follows ranges from more plaintive, simple ballads to an outrageous punk version of what was originally a sweet lullaby, more discordant fiddles, wailing clarinet from Cicala Mvta's Wataru Ohkuma and grunge like electric guitar. At just over 30 minutes, the CD is decidedly short but packs so much in it leaves you exhausted. (From fRoots magazine)


Price:   £18.99

Japanese female duo mixing traditional music with honking horns and grunge like guitar on a compelling album.

Third member of Shisars, Jun Yasuba has created a brilliant album of harmony vocals, electric guitar and Okinawan traditional tunes. Wonderful.


Price:   £17.99

Second album by fRoots cover artist. Okinawan/Pacific Island harmony vocals and songs, with electric guitar. Highly recommended.

Album of 'shima uta', folk/pop versions of traditional and original compositions, by rather confusingly, the trio Begin who for this album have given themselves a new name. At it's best, delighful and irresistible, especially on the faster songs, ballads slightly less appealing.


Price:   £17.99

The Ishigaki island trio write great pop songs. The fact they play the sanshin as well as guitar, have Okinawan style backing vocals, and whistle in that distinctive Okinawan way, makes them even better. The good time, happy sing-a-long songs on this album have more Okinawan flavours than usual and is superior to their volume 1 in this style. Hugely enjoyable.

An album of songs mainly written originally for other artists, featuring their original four stringed instrument, a kind of cross between sanshin and guitar, called ichigo ichie. Includes new versions of their hit songs 'Shimanchu Nu Takara' 'Namida Sou Sou' and 'Koishiku Te'.


Price:   £17.99

Mostly modern folk, without the Okinawan flavours. Nevertheless, good songs.

Digitally remastered reissue of Ara Yukito and Parsha Club's first album originally released in 1995. Dubbed leaders of 'the new generation of Okinawan music' it now sounds more like a work in progress. Undoubted quality in the musicianship and good songs, but heavy drum and occasional over cheesy synthesizers make it sound a bit dated.


Price:   £18.99

Digitally remastered version of excellent second album. Seven songs that includes acoustic and sanshin versions of 'Famureuta' with a 'Naha Club' mix.

Reissue of a low point in Parsha Club's career. Ill advised radio dj speaking in English over the music. At first just a bad joke that just gets progressively irritating.


Price:   £16.99

Digitally remastered reissue to mark the ten year anniversary of this band. Yukito Ara, singer, songwriter and sanshin player is from Ishigaki island, while the group features former members of Rinken Band. This album was probably their best, powerful songs, great performances and their ideas sound more developed.

The first five tunes feature Okinawan Tetsuhiro Daiku performing standards such as Tsuki nu Kaisha, Tinsagu nu Hana, Toshin Doi and Asadoya Yunta, together with a band of ocarina (South American ceramic small flute) players. The rest is made up of tracks by a group of school children all playing ocarina, sometimes with drums. It's all recorded live at ocarina festivals. Bizzare, yet enjoyable.


Price:   £18.99

Four men vocalists singing traditional songs, with simple sanshin accompaniment or pop backing.Kind of male version of Nenes, they're even from the same camp, but not quite the same charm.

Female duo produced by Rinken Teruya. Mix of Okinawa and pop, mostly Rinken's tunes and a few traditional ones. Sounds like a sweeter version of Rinken Band, rather charming without breaking new ground. Also available as Mandarin Chinese version.


Price:   £18.99

Tink Tink are Rinken Teruya's (of Rinken Band) long term project, as producer and composer of the songs on this CD. Two young female vocalists, sing in harmony on fairly lightweight Okinawa pop songs. Rinken is a superb songwriter, so the quality is high throughout. For the home and Japanese market, they are marketed as charming, ordinary, happy girls who sing and dress Okinawan style, proud of their own culture. For outsiders it can sound rather twee at times. Enjoyable to tap your foot along to, just don't expect anything too deep.

Acoustic Okinawan duo of singing lady and guitar playing man who have played together for fifteen years. Okinawan traditional tunes, such as Tinsagu Nu Hana, and original songs with pop, reggae and latin influences.


Price:   £17.99

Rinken Teruya (of Rinken Band) teams up with Haruomi Hosono and Makoto Kubota to record new versions of one of Hosono's classic tunes. 3 versions of that plus one new song. CD Extra features film of Okinawa.

Better known as backing musicians and arrangers, now make their first album and are joined by veterans of Okinawan pop/minyo, Hop Tones, Chieko Iha and others.


Price:   £18.99

Bizzarrely, a recording of Rinken Band's "Arigato" album, by Chinese classical orchestra, produced by Rinken Teruya.

Okinawan themed album by Japanese acoustic group Choro Club, who accompanied Yasukatsu Ohshima on his latest album. Ohshima himself appears on this as does ex-Nenes leader Misako Koja. Warning! There is narration throughout in Okinawan telling the story of an Okinawan folk tale.


Price:   £18.99

Less Okinawan flavors, from Japanese/Okinawan duo, but all the better for it. Female singer Nabi's powerful voice is better suited to their jangly pop.Good songs, and the best album yet from Kotobuki.

First major album by duo mixing Okinawan music and rock. Powerful singer from female vocalist, Nabi.


Price:   £18.99

Modern Okinawan pop music featuring singer Tsugumi(ex keyboard player from Rinken Band) and two Japanese male musicians.

First major album, of the new age, so-called 'healing' Okinawan music. Has it's moments, but for the most part, read 'ambient' as 'bland.


Price:   £18.99

Diamantes singer Alberto's solo album, includes salsa versions of 'Light My Fire' and 'Just the Way you Are', with the real salsa tracks more successful.

Latest album of the Peruvian/Okinawan mixture, with the latin influences to the fore.


Price:   £18.99

"Okinawa Latin" group, but with the emphasis more on the Latin. Peru born Alberto is a good singer and musician, but has never quite lived up to early promise. Formulaic sound sung in Japanese, Okinawan, Spanish and English.