SEIJIN NOBORIKAWA

After the death of Rinsho Kadekaru, perhaps Seijin Noborikawa stands as the island's most loved and respected elder musician. But Noborikawa (or "Seigwa" as he is often referred to) equally stands alone. He doesn't fit into the 'traditional' musician category easily. He doesn't usually dress in kimono, doesn't only sing traditional repertroire but composes his own, anti-war and other protest songs, developed his own six string sanshin, the 'rokushin', and is known as the Okinawan 'Jimi Hendrix' for his fast sanshin playing. Born in Hyogo Prefecture in Japan in 1930, he moved back to Okinawa as a child. A sanshin player from childhood he performed as a backing musician for the Matsuda Gekidan Theatre Group, where he perfected the traditional style and first met Rinsho Kadekaru, an association that would last a lifetime. Noborikawa later worked on an American base where he heard and digested the American hit songs of the day, an influence that crept into his own music. Nevertheless, he was one of the founding members and later president of the Ryukyu Min'yo Kyokai, a traditional music society, and taught the sanshin to a 12 year old Sadao China.

Perhaps overshadowed by Kadekaru and other traditional singers, he released relatively few albums. A couple of cassettes for Marafuku in the 1960s, an album for JVC in 1975, and then a comeback album in 1998, 'Howling Wolf". It was only after his starring role in the 1999 film "Nabbie no Koi" (Nabbie's Love) that his fame spread to the rest of Japan.

"Spiritual Unity" was produced by Takashi Nakagawa of Soul Flower Union, who along with his band mates plays on some of the songs. It features both well known traditional songs, and new compositions penned by Noborikawa, highlighting his unique lyrics and songs.

SEIJIN NOBORIKAWA AND SADAO CHINA

Seijin Noborikawa is the greatest living elder exponent of Okinawan minyo, the traditional local folk music. Born in Hyogo prefecture,(Kansai) in 1930, at aged sixteen Noborikawa joined the Matsuda Gekidan Theatre Group as a singer and backing musician. He started recording from the 1950s and was particularly prolific as a recording artist until the end of the 1960s. He was one of the founding members and later president of the Ryukyu Min'yo Kyokai, a traditional music society. In recent years his fame has spread in Japan, through his starring roles in the films ‘Nabbie no Koi’ and ‘Hotel Hibiscus’.

Sadao China born in Osaka in 1945, started learning sanshin from Seijin Noborikawa when he was 12 years old. China was a backing musician on Noborikawa’s album ‘Chura Biki’ released in 1975. In 1978 he had a hit in Okinawa with the single ‘Bye Bye Okinawa’. From 1990 he formed, produced, composed for and played with the highly successful Okinawan folk pop female quartet, Nenes. He organized the now established Ryukyu Festival in 1995, including the joint concert of Noborikawa and the late Rinsho Kadekaru at the Nihon Budokan. In 2001 China played at a Noborikawa concert held in Tokyo in 2001.

This is the first joint album by these two legendary and seminal figures of Okinawan music. Recorded in Okinawa, Koza City at Fukuhara Studio,(of Marafuku Records fame) some songs feature ex-Nenes original female vocalist Yasuko Yoshida.

TRACK LISTING

1. Sooki Kanah
Traditional minyo. The song tells about the travelling salesmen from local areas in Okinawa who gather in markets to sell their wares, in friendly competition with eachother.
2. Yudan Shirunah
An original Noborikawa song, meaning ‘don’t be caught off guard’ let’s try to unite and work together.
3. Kane Zaiku
An Okinawan minyo dance tune. Kane Zaiku means ‘ironmonger’ and tells the story of an elopement.
4. Juku no Haru
Traditional minyo to which Noborikawa added new lyrics in his own inimitable style.
5. Achamegwa
Minyo dance song, meaning irresponsible or confusion.
6. Nakuni - Teimatou
Traditional minyo, often sang at Mo Ashibi, or illicit beach parties many years ago. Nakuni probably originated in Miyako island.
7. Kabira Bushi
Traditional minyo love song about kabira (a bay) in Ishigaki.
8. Sunga Bushi- Nagarabu-Yuri no Hana
Okinawan island minyo and Nagarabu island minyo medley. The song Nagarabu yuri no Hana probably derived from Sunga Bushi, and is about a type of lilly.
9. Utaka Bushi
A prayer for a world peace.
10. Hanta Hara
An Okinawan minyo love song often sung at mo ashibi parties. 11. Kana Yo
As the last track, a mo ashibi love song.
12. Shin Densa Bushi
An original Seijin Noborikawa extolling the virtues of Okinawan minyo, sanshin, and the rich culture.
13. Zentogwa no Nushi
Another original Noborikawa composed in 2003. It tells the story of a single middle aged selfishly only concerned with saving his money. That was, until he met a woman, fell in love and ended up spending all his savings on her.
14. Yattchya Gwa- Tomari Takahashi
Tradtional minyo medley. Yattchya Gwa is a love song pleading for understanding of a woman’s heart. Tomari Takahashi is tragic love song.
15. Aramono Kuduchi- Toshin Doi.
Traditional medley. Aramono Kuduchi is about the journey of a carpenter visiting houses from one place to another, from Naha to Gushikawa. Toshin Doi is Okinawa’s most famous katcharsee or dance tune.

Recording data:
Sejin Noborikawa: vocals, sanshin, shima daiko
Sadao China: singing, sanshin, ryukin, shima daiko
Yasuko Yoshida: vocals(3,15) sanba (castanets) (2,5,15) whistles (5)