RICE RECORDS UK

RICE RECORDS UK is a joint venture between Far Side Music and Rice Records Japan. Rice Records is a top world music independent label, run with tireless enthusiasm by producer Katsunori Tanaka, specializing in Asian and Latin music. In July 2004 Rice UK released the first four titles, and in October 2004 have released two more.

The new releases in October 2004 are:

Artist: SambaSunda
Title: The Sunda Music
From Sunda, the western region of the island of Java, Indonesia, SambaSunda are sixteen young musicians who play bamboo gamelan and a variety of other percussion and instruments from the Sunda region. They combine their local traditions and music with Balinese and Latin infused rhythms to produce a pulsating wall of sound that shakes the foundations of their tradition to the core, to emerge with an intoxicating, at times wistful, and highly original blend of music both vocal and instrumental. A new type of gamelan music rooted in the past, mingled with the urban energy of the present. The new Sound of Sunda.

Artist: Carmen Miranda
Title: Imperatriz do Samba
Carmen Miranda is probably the greatest ever female singer of Brazilian music. Before she found fame in Hollywood, Miranda was Brazil's first musical star in the 1930s, recording timeless samba classics. These songs laid the groundwork for what would become one of the world's most powerful and spectacular musical genres. With extensive liner notes, this album charts the Brazilian career of a legendary singer and performer. To understand the roots of modern Brazilian music, and hear the country's most creative musical period, listen to the golden voice of the Empress of Samba, Carmen Miranda.

The first four releases were:

FROM ASIA

Artist:Rikki
Title: Miss You Amami
Superb female singer from Amami Island, Japan, whose spellbinding music blends traditional Amami island music, with Hawaiian slack key guitar and other elements.

Artist: Waldjinah
Title: Ratu Jawa
From Java, Waldjinah is one of Indonesia’s finest and most prolific singers, adept at a variety of styles and genres. A landmark recording, includes a version of her biggest hit, Wayang Kekek, with contributions from Malaysian and Japanese musicians including Okinawan female quartet Nenes.

FROM THE CARRIBEAN

Artist: Arsenio Rodriguez
Title: El Rey Del Son Montuno
Compilation of one of Cuba's greatest ever bandleaders, tres players and son composers, who helped revolutionize Cuban music. 22 tracks, extensive liner notes and 73 minutes of music recorded in Havana throughout the 1940s.

Artist: Tiroro
Title: The Best of- The Greatest Drummer in Haiti
Rare recordings from the 1940s and 50s of amazing drummer who influenced a generation of American jazz musicians, most famously Max Roach.