Search - Ryukyu Underground :: Ryukyu Underground

Ryukyu Underground
Ryukyu Underground
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Pop

Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
1. Soi Soi
2. Shimajima
3. Ashibi Shongane
4. Shinkaichi
5. Tinsagu Nu Hana Dub
6. Kokusai Dori Dub
7. Yanbaru Birdcall
8. Koza Riot
9. Agarijo
10. Snow In Okinawa (Remix)

CD Details

All Artists: Ryukyu Underground
Title: Ryukyu Underground
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Riverboat
Original Release Date: 1/1/2002
Re-Release Date: 4/24/2003
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Pop
Styles: Electronica, Africa, Far East & Asia, India & Pakistan, India
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 605633002829

Synopsis

Album Description

The largest of The Ryukyu Islands which dot the Pacific Ocean to the south of Japan, Okinawa's serene natural beauty works in harmony with the beats and bass lines of its thriving roots music scene, reflecting an independent spirit which has survived centuries of foreign interference. Ryukyu Underground takes this spirit one step further, transporting original recordings sampled from local labels into uncharted territory, and creating dance music in what is still a distinctly Okinawan framework. Ambient, dub, electronica, jungle, soul, jazz and hip-hop swim in the mix with elements of Indian, Afrobeat and Japanese traditional music, to create a uniquely global sound direct from the Ryukyu Underground.

CD Reviews

Attention naysayers

David R. Munson | Chicago, IL, United States | 04/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There seems to be an unfortunate bias among many individuals against quote "world" music. There is this preconceived notion that anything that combines multiple cultural influences in a clearly audible manner is somehow lame. Granted yes, there is some thoroughly lame and hackneyed world music out there, but certainly no more than in any other genre or market. But on to this CD. This is a solid, multiply-relistenable disc. Chill to it, drive to it, fall asleep to it. It has a decidedly positive sound to it and deftly mixes traditional and contemporary Japanse sounds with dub and Afropop and a number of other disciplines in such a way that ultimately you find yourself listening to something that is excellently produced, highly accessable, eclectic, multifaceted and generally kickass. And to those of you out there who labor under the delusion that world music is wholly and undeniably lame, I hold up this album as an example of exactly why you are dead effin' wrong."

If you liked Talvin Singh's "Anohka" collection...

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 12/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Check out this beautiful ambient-dance electronica from the island of Okinawa, south of Japan. The mixing is skillful and the specifically Asian elements are both intact and integral to the music. The opening tracks feature Japanese vocals and koto strings mixed in with standard-issue beats; later the album shifts into mellower material, with spacy songs such as "Shinkaichi" and the alluring "Tinsagu Na Hana Dub." Nice stuff... definitely worth tracking down!"