Simply fantastic 2 CD set of Japanese meets Latin American music, subtitled The Monumental Recordings 1931-1957, 48 masterpieces of Latin-American music in Japan. Japanese festival and folk tunes are given a latin backing, with Japanese instrumentation, or latin tunes are sung in Japanese with a distinctly Oriental flavour. The names of the tunes will give you an idea; Rumba Tokyo, Tokyo Conga, Mambo China, Champon Rumba, Pachinko Mambo, Rumba Ginza, Japanese Calypso. Artists include Tetsu Kamen, Chiyoko Kobayashi, Kanako Kami, Taeko Nose, Ranko Edogawa, Ryoko Fujiwara, Aiko Saida, Akira Kishi, Eiko Hirai, Aiko Mimasu, Shigeo Kusonoki, Hamako Watanabe, Keiko Ikuta, Asami Kuji, Teruko Akatsuki, Clark Johnston, Izumi Yukimura, Michiko Hamamura, Tomoko Takara, Meiji University Mandolin Club. Some of the earliest world music mixtures of Oriental and Latin music and it all sounds wonderfully exotic, in the best sense of the word.

Price:  £25.99

Fifteen years since their first brilliant album, Shang Shang Typhoon release a best of album. SST were one of Japan's first groups to mix Japanese and Oriental music with latin, African, and other world music. Fronted by two great female singers, an excellent songwriter and banjo playing leader, plus some other excellent musicians was a winninng formula with a fresh and exciting sound, perfect for the time. They still sound great today and this CD compiles their legacy of pioneering tunes. Twelve tracks; Aiyorimo Aoi Umi, Itsudemo Darekaga, Let It Be, Haraholo No Namida, Monomina Utani Hajimaru, Heiwaga Senshade Yattekuru, Kokoro No Hana, Aiga Darekao Yonderu, Kemono-michi, Itsuka Hareta Asani, Tokyo No Yoru, Aozora.


Price:  £18.99

Excellent electronic dance, trance and grooves from Japan. World flavours from China, (guzheng) Japan (shakuhachi) Hawaiian chants, Gypsy violin, Mongolian urtiin duu and hoomi, India and Senegal. Mostly laid back lounge style with Oriental flavours.


Price:  £18.99