Akira Sakata / The Tale of Heike

An epic concept album narrated and performed by Akira Sakata, Heike Monogatari ("Tale of the Heike") is the most disturbing entry so far in the doubtmusic catalogue. This work is an expression of the philosophy of impermanence. It's also a vision of Hell. Woodwinds signify madness. Bells accentuate silence. And Sakata's voice unleashes a phantasmagoric torrent of shomyo (Japanese Tantric Buddhist chanting), death metal growls, and pure pandemonium. Is he serious? Or not? One thing is certain: This heavy, doom-laden, historical-picture-scroll of an album isn't likely to get any play at a fashionable jazz bar or cafe! DO NOT let children listen to this CD - it may cause serious trauma. Featuring liner notes by Jojo Hiroshige (Hijokaidan).



This is the kind of album Osaka natives might describe as do-aho ("totally insane"). Super do-aho. Do-aho to the max. Play it loud and children will shriek, monkeys will dance, mice will run, horses will whinny, cows will drool, lions will roar, dragons will rage, and the sky will split and the earth will crack and the seas will burn, and every listener's soul will be shaken, and musicians all over the world will experience agonizing jealousy. It's an incredible masterpiece that will make you cry a river of tears. The hidden Great Demon of classical Japanese art has been unleashed. Oh, how I waited so long for a work like this. Anarchy!!!
Hirofumi Tanaka (novelist)

Akira Sakata : reading, voices, alto sax, clarinet, bass-clarinet, percussion, bells

1. Gion Shoja (9:00)
2. The Death of Kiyomori (6:54)
3. The Matter of the Six Paths (5:21)
4. The Assault from the Cliff (10:56)
5. The Death of Atsumori (12:02)
6. The Death of Kiso (3:20)
7. The Battle at Dan-no-ura (The Drowning of the Former Emperor) (9:19)

KANON ( = AKI TAKASE, KAZUHISA UCHIHASHI, AXEL DORNER) / BEAUTY IS THE THING

This trio's musical inspirations give birth to an amazing, extraordinary, mind-boggling mandala of sound. It's an extreme sound that could only be achieved by people engaged in the ultimate sonic and musical explorations. Surrender yourself to the joyful sounds coming out of the left and right speakers, and you're sure to be taken on a natural high. It took confidence and pride for these three to come together as regular members and name their group KANON. Once you hear their sound, you'll see the light--guaranteed!


KANON :
Aki Takase (piano, inside piano)
Kazuhisa Uchihashi (guitar, effects and daxophone)
Axel Dorner (trumpet)

1. A BREAK INTO THE CLOUDS (32:29)
2. HEAR IT VERY CLOSE (12:54)
3. AN AQUATIC PLANT (7:31)
4. THAT SENSE OF CURVING (4:43)
all compositions by Takase, Uchihashi & Dorner

blscksheep / 2

The debut album of blacksheep, the group led by Ryuichi Yoshida, was released in summer 2008, with the first printing selling out. Following up on this success, blacksheep has come out with a second album! The unique mood of the open recording was captured with amazing sensitivity by recording engineer Yoshiaki Kondoh of GOK Sound. From the first tune there's a full-tilt groove, and the middle section is both intense and melodious. At the end there's a completely different interpretation of the first track of blacksheep's first album. The members are proud to have made a recording that will please jazz fans and non-fans alike. And this time they asked Daisuke Nishijima to create the CD's cover manga. Nishijima has gained popularity for works like the masterpiece Dien Bien Phu, which depicts the Vietnam War from an original perspective. For this album he's drawn Yoko-chan, a GothLoli girl with sheep's horns. It's the jazz world(?)'s first "moe" CD cover! Packaged on the other side of cute little Yoko-chan is blacksheep's blazing, amazing music.


blacksheep are :
Yoshida Ryuichi (baritone saxophone, bass-clarinet)
Goto Atsushi (trombone)
Suga Dairo (piano)

1. the voices of time / 6:56 ( dedicated to J.G.Ballard )
2. a memory of gravity / 7:09
3. perishing wind / 6:59 ( dedicated to Kurimoto Kaoru )
4. Звёздный Городо?к / 7:14
5. the starlight illuminates her ears / 8:55
6. grayscale city / 6:59
7. sky clippings and spinning fragments -revisited / 11:59
all composed by Yoshida Ryuichi, except 6 by Goto Atsushi

This CD was recorded at an "open recording" held in L studio at GOK SOUND, Kichijoji, Tokyo on 19 December, 2010.

doubtmusic dmf-138
street date : 25 November, 2010
retail price (in Japan) 2,310 yen
digi-pack
doubtmusic

For details, click each cover !

doubtmusic dmf-136
street date : 11 Octber, 2010
retail price (in Japan) 2,310 yen
digi-pack, include lyrics
doubtmusic

For details, click each cover !