When Shang Shang Typhoon emerged at the end of the 1980s, their music sounded fresh and exciting. World music as a genre had recently taken off, and SST seemed to encapsulate what Japanese 'world music' might be. With Okinawan and Latin influences, they played essentially Japanese style kayokyoku pop with two slightly squeaky female singers, in some ways evoking the golden age of 50s pop in Japan. Their first several albums were released by Epic Sony, when the majors were actually supporting Japanese 'roots' music, but most of these albums were gradually deleted. Fortunately, Sony have decided to release a best of album, and twenty years later SST still sound fresh and exciting.
1. Nagare no Mamani 2. Hotoke no Kao mo It's All Right 3. Ai yori Aoi Umi 4. Let It Be 5. Hana no Yoni Tori no Yoni 6. Sanma no Uta 7. Itsudemo Dareka ga 8. Gin no Koto no Ito no Yoni 9. Ai ga Arukara Daijobu 10. Mamotte ageru 11.Asia no Kono Machi de 12. My Girl 13. Tori no Uta 14. Ave Maria 15. Atarashii Hibi - A New Day 16. Tsubasa ga Hoshii 17. Moshimo Jiisan ni Nattara
Twelfth album from the one of the first groups to emerge from the world music boom of the late 80s. Their basic sound has remained roughly the same, combining Japanese and Okinawan folk sounds with Japanese pop, and a mixture of other world influences such as Latin and African music. 11 tracks including a cover of Jumpin' Jack Flash.
1. Yoake 2. Domin no Uta Part 1 3. Koi de Chikyu wa Mawatteru - Gnbaku o Yurusumaji 4. Jumpin' Jack Flash 5. Utau wa Yume 6. Yoidore Tengoku 7. Hare Hareruya? 8. Paleorogas Rumba 9. Niji 10. Kyo wa Anchan no Mededehi 11. Tsuchinchu Rock Price: £23.99
Four track maxi-single from the excellent Shang Shang Typhoon, this being the theme tune for a Japanese drama. Apart from the title track is a song called Junrei plus the drama edition and karaoke edition of the main song.
First solo album from Satoko Nishikawa, one of the wonderful female singers of Shang Shang Typhoon. High quality, Asian/Japanese roots pop. Collaborators include Aki Ozawa (guitar, produce) plus an excellent band featuirng tuba, sax, violin, trumpet, accordion, percussion and Korean changoo. 12 tracks, mostly originals. Price: £23.99
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.
Celebrating their 15th anniversary, Shang Shang Typhoon release their first album for 4 years and their tenth in all. Known for their blend of Japanese with Asian and other world music, this album draws its main influence from southeast Asia. Eleven tracks. Price: £23.99
Shang Shang Typhoon are one of the few survivors from the initial boom in Japanese world music from the late 80s. Their music combines Japanese, Okinawan, Chinese, Latin, reggae, Hawaiian into their own distinctive sound. A great live group, this DVD is of SST in concert, May 2004.
When Shang Shang Typhoon first arrived on the Japanese music scene in the late 80s they were a breath of fresh air, a Japanese act for the world music scene, the equal of anything anywhere. This album shows why. A genuinely original mix of Japanese, latin and other Asian music, brilliantly performed with wonderful singing and a real energy to it all. This 1988 live album was recorded at Jirokichi in Tokyo. 12 tracks, many of their best known songs.Fascinating. Price: £23.99
The forerunners to the group Shang Shang Typhoon were Koryu and the Himawari Sisters. In 1983, they released a cassette that found its way to a few journalists taking note of a burgeoning world music scene developing in other parts of the world. This charming mix of Japanese festival music, reggae, latin and pop was what these journalists thought of as a Japanese world music. Featuring Koryu on shamisen banjo and later SST singer Satoko, their music is a less sophisticated version of Shang Shang Typhoon. This is that now renowned tape reissued onto CD for the first time, plus live tracks recorded in 1982 and an unreleased tune. Recommended.
Shang Shang Typhoon have been one of Japan's best live bands for several years. This album, recorded in a temple near Tokyo (see photos) draws on material from throughout their career and captures some of the excitement and energy of a SST gig. However, if you are new to the band, probably still better to start off with one of their studio albums. Price: £23.99
Ninth studio album by one of Japan's best roots music groups. Their usual mix of predominantly Japanese and Asian with other styles from around the world, on this album perhaps more European than before. The duo female vocals of Emi and Satoko are in fine form, while the instrumentation is bigger than ever. Includes unlikely cover version-Rod Stewart's "Sailing", sung in Japanese and sounding like a Japanese folk song. Their best album for years.
It's been a long time since the last SST album, now on an indie label. Asian music meets latin and more. Includes guest pianist Yosuke Yamashita and a cover of Earth Wind & Fire's 'Fantasy'. Price: £23.99
Consitent good material from one of Japan's best roots bands, with their ecclectic mix of styles working to perfection.
Excellent second album from Shang Shang Typhoon. Fronted brilliantly by female duo Emi and Satoko, and inspiring banjo playing from their leader Kohryo. Price: £23.99
Brilliant debut album from Japanese group, mixing various Japanese music, Okinawan, latin, jazz, reggae and rock. Exciting, fresh and exhilerating.
