Hugely enjoyable album fronted by sanshin player and singer Kanako Horiyuchi and keyboard player, programmer and producer DJ Sasa. The unlikely scenario on this is Kanako and DJ Sasa have arranged well known Japanese pop songs into an Okinawan style and 60s ska and rocksteady mixture. They've added 70s and 80s guitar and keyboard sounds, sampling, drum programming and engaged the help of at least sixteen brass musicians playing sax, trumpet and trombone. It works because it feels an entirely natural mix, and discernably Okinawan.

Okinawan singer Rimi Natsukawa is popular in Taiwan as well (geographically it's as close as Japan) and on this album she covers Chinese hit songs in Japanese on CD 1 and in Chinese on CD 2.

CD1. 1.Ye Lai Xiang 2. Mo Li Hua 3. Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin 4. He Ri Jun Zai Lai 5. Toki No Nagare Ni Mi Wo Makase 6. Shiki No Uta 7. Shi Shang Zhi You Ma Ma Hao 8. Soshuu Yakyoku 9. Nagai Aida 10. Sakura 11. Wakare No Yokan Duet With Teresa Teng

CD2.

1. Ye Lai Xiang 2. Mo Li Hua 3. Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin 4. He Ri Jun Zai Lai 5. Wo Zhi Zai Hu Ni 6. Si Ji Ge 7. Shi Shang Zhi You Ma Ma Hao 8. Su Zhou Ye Qu 9. Hen Ai Hen Ai Ni 10. Ying Hua

Price:   £31.99

Rimi Natsukawa releases a new album and sings a selection of Okinawan favourites. Tracks include Nada Sou Sou, Warabigami, Bashofu, Tinsagu nu Hana, Asadoya Yunta, Shima Uta, Hana, Shimajima Kaisha, Akata Sundunchi and Tsuki nu Kaisha.

Agoo Road is an eight piece band from Okinawa, on various horns including trumpet, trombone and saxophone with a vocalist, guitarist and bassist. They play mostly well known Okinawan folk songs, plus pop and their own original songs in a ska, dub and reggae style.

1. Arigatosan 2. Haisai Ojisan - Crazy Kachasee 3. Flower Gutzman 4. Akata Sundunchi - Tinsagu nu Hana 5. The Days of Drink and Ska! - Sake to Ska no Hibi 6. Hanasaka Jiisan 7. Shimanchu nu Takara - Koishikute 8. Utage no Uta 9. Katate ni Sanshin o 10. Cecil 11. Koi no Dial 6700 12. Every 13. Otsukisama ga Warattera 14. Yume no Hana (remix)


Price:   £19.99

A bit like buses, Rimi Natsukawa doesn't release anything for a couple of years and then along come two. Well, sort of. This 2 CD set and limited edition with a DVD, is one new studio album and one live album. The studio album includes her most recent singles, the live CD is of nine tracks and includes her biggest hit Nada Sousou, while the DVD is 60 minutes of a live concert in Nagoya in 2008.

The above set but without the additional DVD.


Price:   £27.99

Even for the most covered band in the world, these are rather unusual versions of Beatles' tunes. Toru Yonaha (sanshin, fue), Issei Kamichi (taiko), Yoko Okinaga (koto) and Natsuko Morita (kokyu) under the name of Soul Gakudan tackle some of the Beatles' favourite tunes. 1 Norweigan Wood 2. Ticket to Ride 3. Eight Days a Week 4. Yellow Submarine 5. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da 6. Day Tripper 7. Michelle 8. In My Life 9. Nowhere Man 10. Hey Jude

Currently popular singer/songwriter from Miyako island, who always sings in the Miyako direct. Recently released an album with Masaru Shimabukuro from Begin as 'Shimobuku Record'.

1. Minshu no Yakudo (The Vibe of the People) 2. Pizala de Samba 3. Unmei no Kugi 4. Idainaru America Sekken 5. Mikai no Tochie 6. Hankotsu no Shima - Araragama 7. Last Waltz 8. Asa no Sanpomichi 9. Mi U Tu 10. Kaeru Basho 11. Akisharu - Yoake 12. We Decide - Ketsudan no Toki


Price:   £19.99

Isamu Shimoji is a folk style singer / songwriter from Miyako island in Okinawa. Strong voice, good songs accompanied by guitar. 13 tracks. 1. 3% 2. Hokori 3. Matsu no Ki Monogatari 4. Shinnen no Michi - Nishi e 5. Asuyaki Midun 6. Yapai Yapai 7. Ore wa Utatteiru 8. Shinpin Joto Densetsu 9. Seito-ya 10. Inutsu 11. The Nisha Takuitsu 12. Yadubasu 13. Mr.Kama no Kuro

Wiz-Us are three Okinawan female singers, Ayano Oyakawa, Reika Higa and Rina Kinjo. On this album they cover various well known Okinawan songs, from traditional to those by pop duo Kiroro and punk group Mongol 800 in a reggae/Okinawa style.1. Ju-nana Sai (original Saori Minami) 2. Nagai Aida (original Kiroro) 3. Mirai Ni (original Kiroro) 4. Koi Shiku Te (original Begin) 5. Nada Sousou (original Begin) 6. Yorokobino Uta (original Mongol 800) 7. Hana (original Shokichi Kina) 8. Parade Shiyo-yo plus Okinawa traditional tunes.


Price:   £23.99

Kochi are male/female Okinawa pop duo Takane Kochihira (vocal, guitar) from Okinawa and Yasuko Takahashi (vocal, sanshin). Fairly lightweight catchy songs. 7 tracks 1. Mirai Kanai e 2. Banmikase 3. Harumachi Koibana 4. Omoiuta 5. Anata ni Aitai 6. Sun Sing Song 7. Wo!kinawa Dance.

From Ishigaki island, Yanawaraba are pop female duo, and this is their first full album, produced by Ryoji from the group Kestumeishi. Fairly standard J-Okinawa pop.


Price:   £23.99

Ji Ma Ja is a solo project that started in Kyoto, before the artist moved to Okinawa. Singer songwriter style pop, the songs Okinawan influenced, with this album reaching number 1 in the local Okinawa charts. 14 tracks.

Satoshi Kadekaru is a radio dj, TV presenter, and an ex-member of the comedy team Neenees. On this album he sings popular Ryukyu pop songs accompanied by guitar. 11 tracks including Eisa nu Yoru, Kaachan, Ojii no Sabani, Ue no Muite, Saa Miina! and Chura.


Price:   £21.99

Okinawan Rimi Natsukawa has become popular throughout Japan after a string of hit Okinawa light pop singles. On this album of duets she sings some of the most popular Okinawan influenced tunes of recent years, usually with the original artist and songwriter. 'Kana Yo Kana Yo' with Kazufumi Miyazawa, 'Warabigami' with Misako Koja, 'Michishirube' with Kiroro, 'Irayoi Tsukihama' with Yasukatsu Oshima, 'Famureuta' with Parsha Club, 'Nada Soso' with Ryoko Moriyama and Begin. Themed CD of easy listening Okinawan music dreamt up by a marketing department.

Rimi Natsukawa has become a star in Japan with her pop Okinawan music with hits such as Nada Sou Sou. Her fourth album has thirteen songs written by both Okinawan and Japanese artists such as Misako Koja, Yasukatsu Oshima, Mamoru Miyagi, Kazufumi Miyzawa and Ryoko Moriyama. This CD includes her latest hit singles 'Kokoro Tsutae' and 'Sayounara Arigatou'.


Price:   £17.99

Full album by Okinawan lady singing star. The 11 tracks include 'Asadoya Yunta' 'Shimauta' and remix version of 'Nada Sousou'. The Okinawan pop folk trio Begin join as guests on an album of pop minyo.

Okinawan female singer who has become a star with her million selling single 'Nado Sousou'. Her style is rather light and poppy versions of Okinawan minyo or folk tunes. On this album of 7 tracks she sings standard and popular minyo such as 'Tinsagu Nu Hana' 'Warabigami' 'Hana' as well as that million selling hit 'Nada Sousou'.


Price:   £17.99

The 11 tracks on this album includes a live version of her hit 'Nada Sousou' and the song 'Satoukibi-Batake' (Sugarcane Fields). This was written by a Japanese composer in the 1960s and was dedicated to the Okinawan people who died during the war. 'Satoukibi Batake' was sang by famous Japanese singers at the time as it is once again now. It has become a song of peace for both Japanese and Okinawans.

This 7 track mini album of Okinawan and Japanese lullabies incldes a different version of 'Warabigami', originally perfomed by ex-Nenes singer, Misako Koja.


Price:   £14.99

Currently Rimi Natsukawa is one of Okinawa's best selling female artists. She sings in a pretty much pop style, but the songs she signs have a distinct Okinawan feel. This third album includes another hit single, 'Kana Yo Kana Yo' written by Kazufumi Miyazawa of the Boom.

The latest full album of Okinawan pop songs includes some great tunes including 'Warabigami', 'Irayoi Tsukiyohama', 'Shimajima Kaisha' and 'Nada Sousou'. All sung and performed in a light pop folk style.


Price:   £19.99

She hasn't been around that long, yet Rimi Natsukawa already qualifies for a first Best of. Rimi is an excellent singer who has been amazingly popular with her renditions of Okinawan style ballads. Most popular of all was the million selling 'Nada Sou Sou' written by Begin. She doesn't sing in a particularly Okinawan style at all, but her voice is usually accompanied by sanshin and overall the songs have a strong Okinawan flavour to them. This album features her seven singles so far, including 'Nada Sou Sou,' 'Warabi Gami' (originally sung by ex-Nenes Misako Koja) and 'Kana Yo Kana Yo' penned by Kazufumi Miyazawa. Included are the seven 'B' sides to those singles.

Okinawa / Hawaii mixture music from two singers, Makiko Miyara and Maki Uehara with Yuki Yamauchi and Gueren Oshima, a sanshin player who used to be a member of the Okinawa pop outfit Tingara. Songs include Okinawa traditionals (Tinsagu nu Hana, Tsuki nu Kaisha) and Hawaiian traditional tunes and a couple of originals.


Price:   £23.99

Fahna are female vocalist and sanshin player Ikko and Oyakata on acoustic guitar. This quality album features a selection of Okinawan traditional and original songs, and a version of Amazing Grace. Generally laid back with bass, percussion, piano, sax, violin, cello and viola in various arrangements, some sparse others more complex with a jazz feel. Produced by Jyoji Sawada who also wrote some of the songs, the last track is a slightly edgy electronica remix by Okinawan based French artist Paul Mahoux.

Okinawan punk band Mongol 800 caused a sensation a few years ago when their album Message sold an unprecendented 2 million copies, despite the record being on an indie label and receiving very little media exposure. Mongol 800 became a word of mouth phenomenon. They paved the way for other Okinawan indie groups such as HY, and still continue to release outstanding records. Their latest effort has 13 tracks, and is up to their usual standard of high energy melodious punk.


Price:   £23.99

Okinawan indie punk group, who can write good songs as well as just play fast with an abundance of energy, record album for small indie label in Okinawa. Gradually word spreads to Japan where the album becomes one of the biggest ever selling independent releases selling over 2 million copies. Great story, great band. Some songs sung in pigeon English, but with more meaning than 99% of English pop songs. Jacket comes with fascinating photos of pre-war Okinawa.

Third album from Okinawa's biggest indie act, up to their usual standard of energetic performances of great songs.


Price:   £23.99

Perhaps it's the sun, but reggae has always had a following in Okinawa, with some of the island's most famous musicians (Shokichi Kina, Sadao China) fans of Bob Marley. U-Dou & Platy have become popular in Okinawa (sales of 10,000) with their previous album, and this is their first for a major. Okinawan tunes such as Bashofu and local flavors mixed with reggae dance hall style. Okinawa reggae major debut produced by Steven Stanley big in Okinawa. 25 tracks.

Okinawans U-Dou and Platy have already had a number 1 indie chart hit with their breezy Okinawan reggae brew. Sung in Uchina Guchi with some Okinawan musical elements their dance hall style reggae has caught the imagination of the locals. 21 tracks and the sound of summer in Okinawa 2005.

Price:   £23.99

Diversity of styles, including rap, dance hall reggae, hard core and manzai (comedy). Some songs include sanshin and erhu, (violin).

Seven tracks of indie rock, most of it quite hard core, some of it quite mainstream pop/folk. Male and female vocalists, extraordinarily popular in Okinawa.


Price:   £18.99

Second album from award winning Okinawan punk and hip hop band, who became a huge success in Japan in 2003. Strong melodies and hooks with raw power.

Mix of indie rock, pop, hip hop, ska and rap, with the occasional Okinawan influence, as on the hit single 'Rakuyo'. Big selling album in 2003, and overall deservedly so.


Price:   £23.99

One of the most popular indie bands make their major debut. Okinawa champloo (mixture) rock.

As well as Japan's most vibrant 'roots' music scene, Okinawa is also home to a new wave of indie groups, some of which are compiled onto this CD. The music is mostly punk and hardcore, by groups including In-Hi, The Junky Jap Dogs, Ryukyu Free Style, and a version of the Okinawan traditional children's song, "Chon Chon Kijimuna" by The Beatle Crusher. Excellent snapshot of what is an exciting scene.


Price:   £23.99

Hardcore Okinawan punk, hip hop, ska and more. Some songs come with a distinctly Okinawan taste, at any rate, this CD demonstrates just what an amazing music scene Okinawa has, whatever your taste might be. 19 tracks including by Duty Free Shopp, Skay Mates, Majestics, Bleach, Golem, Jack!! and Kabuki.

Okinawan pop group featuring sanshin to give the music an Okinawan feel, plus percussion and guitar. Fourth album and popular on the radio in Okinawa. 12 tracks.

Price:   £23.99

Okinawan pop folk has become popular nationwide through artists such as Rimi Natsukawa and Begin. Kochi are the latest addition to this scene. Male/female vocals, guitar/sanshin accompaniment on songs with an Okinawan flavour. Mini CD with 6 tracks.

Makico Miyara is a singer/songwriter from Ishigaki island in the deep south of Okinawa. She sings folk/pop influenced songs with Okinawan roots. She also covers a couple of tunes by fellow Ishigaki island artists Yasukatsu Oshima and Begin, while Yukito Ara and Sunday lend support on the recording.


Price:   £23.99