NRQ "Retronym" CD

This is NRQ's Music, Today! They intended to produce it just with the four members, but before they knew it, it had become the most ambitious work in the band's 11 years! NRQ, an instrumental quartet that plays unique music that transcends time and place, presents their 4th album, Retronym, which is the biggest project in the band's history!

■ NRQ is made up of four members: Masanori Hattori (double bass), Takuma Makino (guitar), Kanji Nakao (wind instruments/drums), and Yuki Yoshida (erhu), who released his first solo album, ROAM, in 2017. Highly trusted by musicians such as VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, Shohei Takagi (cero), and Kensuke Ide, this is their fourth album, Retronym, following Was Here (2015).
■ The rich songs, which include Latin and folk music from around the world, old-time blues, country, jazz, funk, reggae, and even rock, but do not fit into any category, can be said to be of the highest quality ever. The songs, which are complex but sometimes fun and sometimes nostalgic in their melodies, not only pay homage to music from the past, but also seem to re-name them (retronym) as current music that could only exist here and now. This album also includes a cover of the famous song "Caminando Despacio" by trombonist Yu Ohara.
■ The sound is also innovative, with the most overdubs in the band's history, including songs where Hattori overdubbed cello and violin, and horn arrangements by Endo Satomi (biobiopatata, Kataomoi) layered on by Nakao alone. Keyboardist Emerson Kitamura (mmm, Kisel, ex-JAGATARA, ex-Mute Beat, etc.) and percussionist Okyon (Joe Nakamura & Eastwoods, etc.) participated in the previous album ``Was Here'', supporting the sound with a solid presence. Also participating are former member of Mori wa Ikiteiru, Yu Taniguchi (p), who is currently active as a support for various bands and singers including 1983, and vocalist Ofune. These diverse guests make NRQ's strange and beautiful music even more wide-ranging and rich. Recording and mixing were done by Oshiro Makoto, who is also known in the art context as a member of Natsu no Dai△. He brought everything together with his brilliant skills backed by experience. The mastering was done by Hara Masato, who has worked with Hosono Haruomi and Carnation, among others.
■ NRQ is well-known for their jacket designs. This time, the design was created by up-and-coming illustrator/designer Kazuki Yajima. Please pay attention to the artwork that leaves a strong impression. In addition, the artist photo was taken last year by Nakao, who is also a camera enthusiast.

■Track list