TOMOE URA “That Summer Feeling” CD

For the first time in two years, an unseasonable summer greeting has arrived from the Nankai Saxophone warmhearted Tomoe Ura. It's not about the sea, love, or a belly-baring look, but Tomoe Ura's "feeling of that summer" delivered to her superb, homemade Nankai rhythm!

■Since her solo debut in 2010 with the album "Rockin' At The 1,000,000 Restaurants," she has steadily gained attention, and has collaborated with Monsieur Kamayatsu (RIP), Ego-Wrapping, Hanaregumi, Big Jay McNeely, Cero, and Punch. Tomoe Ura is a baritone saxophonist/clarinetist from Osaka who has participated in live performances and recordings by the well-known orchestra Carnation. She also appears on television as a chubby female celebrity and has produced commercial music for Yamato House and Kewpie. This is Ura's long-awaited new album, his first in two years since 2015's "Natsumeyashi no Yubi."

■As a new approach, Jun Takayama (speedometer.) and metome have introduced programmed tracks in about half of the songs. It includes a variety of reggae, calypso, and other genres, from mysterious exotic music and sweet lovers rock, regardless of the lyrics, to programmed deep sea dub (what on earth is that?). This album contains 12 tracks of Tomoe Ura's original Nankai rhythms, which transcend time and country, including lambada, Tex-Mex, tropical disco, and cumbia! The musicians who participated are also super impressive!

■Track list