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.

Nenes are back with another superb album. Great vocals and songs, mixing pop with traditional. Now released outside Japan by GlobeStyle.


Price:   £18.99

Some of Nenes best songs included with three remixes and two live recordings. 1. America Dori 2. Chidori Blues 3. Ohgon no Hana 4. Bye Bye Okinawa 5. Chaccha 6. Chicken Umi Yakara 7. Koi nu Hana 8. Hoshi no Paaranku 9. Umukaji 10. Shimajima Kaisha 11. Tegee 12. Haru no Uta 13. Yoso no Hito

In contrast to their previous album, this is a mixture of Okinawan, Hawaiian and Caribbean music recorded in Hawaii.


Price:   £18.99

After a few albums of 'Uchina pop', Nenes got back to their roots on their fifth album. Features Tetsuhiro Daiku, and other guests including Balinese jegog, or bamboo gamelan group Suar Agung to add another flavour. Simple and beautiful.

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.


Price:   £18.99

Superb third album, partly recorded in Brazil. Includes version of 'No Woman No Cry' and cover of Sadao China's Okinawan hit in the 70s 'Bye, Bye, Okinawa.'

Second album, and first for a major features more of the wonderful chorus female vocals, and an upbeat version of Banana Boat song 'Day-O'. 1. Yunta 2. Kunjan Sabakui 3. Cha Cha 4. Funamuchi Yunta 5. Umukaji 6. Ashimiji Bushi - Kendo Bushi 7. Ichariba Yunichi 8. Tomaiaka densetsu 9. Dayo-o (Banana Boat Song) 10. Chicken Umi Yakara 11. Yunta (Reprise) 12. Usaganna

Price:   £18.99

The success of Nenes first album in 1991, saw them become one of the big three in the bubbling Okinawan music scene. Brilliant songs written by Sadao China, textured layers of keyboards from Kazuya Sahara, and topped off by the crowning glory of the Nenes sound, beauitful unison female vocals. Highlights include the title track and Tege.

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

Live recording from the last concerts by Nenes, there will be four new singers this year. Songs from a 10 year career.

Another compilation of the original Nenes, this one of some of their more plaintive songs or with a saudade (yearning) feeling such as Shima Jima Kaisha, Shima Yakara, Akabana and Tege '95 version. 15 tracks, nice selection, but other Best of compilations give a better overview of the group.


Price:   £18.99

Mostly Nenes renditions of traditional Okinawan tunes sung in uchina-guchi, or the Okinawan language. 18 tracks including Asadoya Yunta and Tinsagu nu Hana.

First post Nenes solo album from former leader of the women's quartet was worth waiting for. Traditional and original lullabies and songs that tell the life of Misako Koja. Produced and with textured keyboards by Kasuya Sahara who helped shape the original Nenes sound. Includes fascinating song featuring Koja's voice when aged 9, with present voice aged 48. Not just one of the Okinawan albums of 2000, but of any year. Simply beautiful.


Price:   £18.99

Former leader of Nenes, first solo album of traditional material. Beautiful vocals and exquisetly performed.

Glowing solo album from Nenes member. Mainly traditional, features Sadao China.


Price:   £18.99

Ex-Nenes singer releases second solo album, once again produced by Sadao China. She is joined by other ex-Nenes singers Namiko Miyazato and Yukino Hiyane, and her daughter Izumi on largely traditional and excellent album.

First solo album by ex-singer from Nenes, that includes one song by Nenes. Produced and accompanied by keyboard player, Kazuya Sahara, partly responsible for that wonderful early Nenes sound, and the former main singer with Nenes, Misako Koja.


Price:   £16.99

Two of the original members of Nenes, Nami and Yukino get together to record mini-album. Fairly syrupy pop, except for the excellent Umi nu Chimbora, complete with sitar and steel guitar, previously sung by Nenes. Only 15 minutes of music, makes this mostly for Nenes completists only.

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.


Price:   £18.99

Every now and then, Sadao China, the legendary producer, musician and founder of Nenes, takes a new singer under his wing. One of the latest is female vocalist Masae Nakada, owner of an exquisite voice. Most of the songs were written by China, who as well as being producer plays sanshin, ryukin (koto) taiko and even some guitar. Keyboards, electric guitar, pianica and other instruments also feature on a quality album of mostly slow material but with some more lively moments. Some traditional sounding songs among the mostly modern arrangements.

It's been 14 years since the great Sadao China last released a studio recorded solo album. Since the classic female quartet Nenes disbanded, aside from working with the new Nenes he's recorded with Seijin Noborikawa and produced a few young singers. On Utamaai he is joined by Yasuko Yoshida, (ex-Nenes) on backing vocals, sanba (castanets) and his son Sadahito on additional sanshin. An album of mostly traditional tunes, with China's dry vocals, sanshin and ryu-kin (koto). Excellent album of pure Okinawan traditional music.


Price:   £18.99

Probably Okinawa's two greatest musicians get together for a recording. Sadao China is probably best known for producing the female quartet Nenes, and writing most of their songs. Noborikawa is from a generation above, a funky, bluesy musician and one of the great characters of Okinawan music. Pure traditional material, sung seperately and in unison. Sanshin and taiko drumming on selection of uptempo and plaintive material, some standards, some lesser known. Simple and simply brilliant.

Classic recording from the 70s of Sadao China, and Kame Itokazu, more famous for her buyo, or Okinawan dance.


Price:   £18.99

Beautiful album of shima uta, played and sung with much finesse.

Solo album by the producer and leader of Nenes. Sublime performance and a peerless example of traditional shima uta.


Price:   £18.99

Re-release of classic mini-album of pop material, some later covered by Nenes.

Live recording by Nenes guru of traditional shima uta. Includes Nenes as guests on some songs.


Price:   £18.99