Multilingual Japanese singer in mainly Hawaiian albums, others with Asian and other world influences. | The brilliant quartet playing recorders, ukuleles, tuba, percussion and more in a variety of styles, all with great skill and laced with plenty of humour. A joyous sound. |
Amazing big band who combine elements of jazz with rock, Japanese enka, Japanese pop, Latin, dance and experimental avant garde. | One of world's greatest innovators and creators of electronic and synthesizer music. |
Makoto Kubota's brilliant Blue Asia Hotel series (recorded in Bangkok, Vietnam, Istanbul, Hawaii, Bali) and their accompanying cafe compilations of traditional music from the same areas compiled by Kubota. | Great songs, diverse influences from rock and pop to Brazilian and Balinese, one of Japan's top groups. |
The amazing Japanese gamelan world hi-tech sound of Geinoh Yamashirogumi. | Japanese folk singer songwriter with reggae and Okinawan influences. |
Probably Japan's greatest ever singer- Hibari sang enka, jazz, minyo, kayokyoku and other styles. | One of Japan's greatest rock bands, with a Celtic edge to their sound. |
Musical genius in different guises, solo, with Yellow Magic Orchestra, Tin Pan Alley and Happy End. World Music pioneer. | One of Japan's best male singers, performing miníyo (Japanese folk) and adding rock, Asian and other elements. |
Female singer, famous in the 70s, who made a comeback album mixed by Makoto Kubota. Asian and world influences. | Musician and producer who has championed Asian and world music for nearly thirty years. From his earliest to most recent projects. |
Shamisen player and singer mixes Japanese traditional music with rock ëní roll and large dose of humour. | Japanese marimba group play Latin and Cuban standards and some western covers. |
Talented songwriter with an ear for Brit pop and a great melody. | Sometimes called Japan's best female singer, world, jazz and avant garde influences. |
Ainu (native Japanese) singer and tonkori (lute) player, including accompanied by Umeko Ando, an elder Ainu female singer. | The original Japanese drummers group from Sado Island. |
Reggae, club and world influences from female singer. | One of Japan's foremost roots music groups mix Okinawan, Asian, Japanese, Hawaiian and other music into compelling concoction. |
Saxophone player most famous for his renditions of Bach's cello suites. | Explosive jazz from Giles Petersen faves |
SOUL-CIALIST ESCAPE Kansai's finest rock band with chindon, punk, Irish, Japanese and Okinawan influences in various guises, all with attitude. | Folk, funk, soul and rock mixture. |
One of Japan's finest female singers, cool pop with hints of reggae, Hawaiian, reggae and African music. Unique voice and music. | Veteran female pop/jazz musician who aside to solo albums has recorded with YMO, Rei Harukami and numerous others. |
Pioneering technopop trio of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Haruomi Hosono and Yujiro Takahashi active from the late 70s to early 80s. Plus solo albums and productions of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takahashi | Probably the best non-Hawaiian slack key guitar player, recorded with his teacher, Ray Kane. |
