The latest and most danceable Japanese groove!
Folk + Latin + something = Minyo Crusaders' shocking first album!
There's no point if we don't sing folk songs!!
■Folk Song Crusaders are a group that revives the fusion of Japanese folk songs and Latin rhythms that was attempted by great pioneers such as the Tokyo Cuban Boys and Noche Cubana in the 21st century. The group was formed by Fussa-based guitarist Katsumi Tanaka and folk song singer Freddie Tsukamoto. This is a comprehensive collection of folk songs for the new era, created through repeated sessions at US military houses with musicians well versed in Latin, Caribbean, and Jamaican music.
■Even before the official CD release, the much-anticipated debut album from the band Minyo Crusaders has already attracted a lot of attention, with Ry Cooder taking up the band on Twitter, magazines and newspapers, and appearing at the music festival "Peter Barakan's LIVE MAGIC!" supervised by Peter Barakan. Famous Japanese folk songs are reborn with fantastic arrangements of Latin, boogaloo, cumbia, reggae, Afrobeat and Ethio-funk. An unknown world woven with a dynamic sound based on three percussion instruments and authentic folk song singing. Experience the completely new sound and groove that will fascinate not only folk song and ondo fans, but also Latin music lovers, ska and reggae fans, Afrobeat and outlying groove fans. YOI YOI!
■With the recent rise of Japanese music in the club music context, and outdoor festivals incorporating bon odori and festivals being held all over Japan, including the Bridge Under the World Music Festival in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and the unusually exciting Sumida Kinshicho Kawachi Ondo Bon Odori in Tokyo, this is sure to attract a lot of attention!
■Kenjiro Ando of Cassette Con Loss is a guest. Recorded at the US military house in Fussa, mixed by Naoyuki Uchida (LITTLE TEMPO, OKIDUB AINU BAND, etc.). Jacket design by Yutaka Kimura (Central67).
A storm of praise from all walks of life!!
"Following Hamaguchi Yuji and Black Wax, Kubota Makoto has once again introduced me to a band that is definitely my favorite. When I say that real folk songs are set to a funky Latin beat, many people would probably think "???", but this is actually really enjoyable and feels extremely legitimate, especially when you hear it live. The Minyo Crusaders will be performing at the festival I am curating, Live Magic (livemagic.jp), so please come and see them!!" -- Peter Barakan *Comment received at the end of July 2017.
"Minyo Crusaders! I'll never forget the impact I felt when I first heard them. Kushimotobushi is always a killer tune. And finally, a full album! 2017 is sure to be the year of the minyo new wave!" - Central67/Yutaka Kimura (graphic designer)
"I'm friends with Kimura from Central67, who designs album covers for bands like Spitz. When Kimura's taste in collecting records changed from trains to folk songs, I asked him why. He said, "Because I can dance to the sun." And that's why I go to Minkuru's hottest live shows." -- Yamamoto Moog (currently on leave from Buffalo Daughter)
"I love Minkuru so much that sometimes I faint" - Sota Takagi
"The first time I saw Minkuru was at a live house in Fussa, and I think that was their debut live show. I was really touched by their chaotic style of singing folk songs with Afrobeat in the background. It made me feel like I'm so glad to be Japanese. I hope they spread their wings and make people all over the world excited soon." - Kojima Kensuke (Designer)
A folk song woven rhythmically with rich emotion.
This is like a creative fermented food.
I feel a vague sense of loneliness amidst the heat and merriment. -- Toshiya Gomi (Kiokuza)
For many people living today
"Folk song" is a traditional song, an old event,
It may just be something that happened a long time ago.
But those who heard the song long ago
I'm sure I can't keep sitting still like this anymore,
I'm sure I'll lose track of time like this,
I'm sure she thought it was cool in a way like this. --Eri Ishiyama (Kiokuza)
Roots x Roots What a pure sound.
Are you ahead of your time?
Or is it going backwards again?
The sound of the heretical crusaders,
Regardless of skin color, people of all races around the world will dance to Japanese folk songs.
It's fascinating how music from previously separate places comes together and blends together in a variety of different ways, creating an unidentifiable energy that blossoms.
The Minyo Crusaders' live show, our first joint performance together in Sangenjaya, was amazing.
Look, this is a band started by immigrants shortly after the war, look, this is a fictional band that appears in a futuristic science fiction movie, look, this is a multinational band that livens up the modern club scene every night - it's easy to believe any of them.
A heartfelt toast to the cheerful drunks who travel freely through time and space. -- Take Tetsutaro (Bakurocho Band)
Product Information
Artist: Minyo Crusaders
ARTIST: MINYO CRUSADERS
Title: Echoes of Japan
TITLE: Echoes Of Japan
Product number: PCD-25239
Format: CD
Release date: December 13, 2017 Price: 2,500 + tax
Tracklist
1. 串本節
2. ホーハイ節
3. おてもやん
4. 真室川音頭
5. 安来節
6. 秋田荷方節
7. といちん節
8. 炭坑節
9. 会津磐梯山
10. 相撲甚句
-Minyo Crusaders-
Freddie Tsukamoto (vo), meg (vo, pianica), Katsumi Tanaka (g), DADDY U (b), Moe (key), Sonoo Ide (timbales), Mutsumi Kobayashi (bongos), Irochi (congas), Stephan Yamauchi (tp), Koichiro Osawa (sax)
