JAPAN

	Artist	Tomoko Sunazaki	Title	TEGOTO: JAPANESE KOTO MUSIC
	Catalogue No	17068-2	Price	$ 15.99
	Review	Kamimu, a traditional piece by Hozan Yamamoto, from a CD that includes a variety of old and new compositions for solo koto and traditional Japanese ensemble. Sunazaki, a disciple of one of the leaders of gendai hogaku (new style of traditional music), has recorded numerous works of modern Japanese composers. On this CD, she plays a variety of old and new works by Minoru Miki, Yatsuhashi Kengyo, Shinichi Yuize and Miyagi. An outstanding example of Sunazaki's original style that has blossomed from the mature, traditional style of koto performance
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	Artist	Tadaaki Ohno & The Tokyo Gakuso	Title	GAGAKU AND BEYOND
	Catalogue No	13179-2	Price	$ 15.99
	Review	The Tokyo Gakuso, directed by Tadaaki Ohno, introduces Gagaku or Japan's ancient court music, the oldest extant ensemble music in the world, in this excellent recording. The music performed in this rare CD offers an opportunity to reflect on the typical structure of the regular spring and autumn concerts given by the Palace musicians. Excellent notes accompany this superb CD
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	Artist	Yukio Tanaka & Kakuryu Saito, biwa	Title	DEEP RED PATHOS (CHINKONGAKA)
	Catalogue No	Ebisu-4	Price	$ 23.99
	Review	Toru Takemitsu's Voyage for Three Biwa, performed by Tanaka Yukio, biwa (Japanese lute) is a sample of contemporary Japanese music for the biwa (Japanese lute), composed in Reigaku style. Dan-no-ura by Tsuruta Kinshi, Deep Red Pathos for biwa and digital performance by Urao Kakuzo and Voyage for Three Biwas by Takemitsu Toru. If you liked the film score for Kwaidan, you'll love this CD
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	Artist	Stomu Yamashita	Title	SEA & SKY
	Catalogue No	17072-2	Price	$ 15.99
	Review	Time from a new CD by Stomu Yamashita, a popular avant-garde percussionist and composer. In the 1970s, he joined the progressive rock scene in Europe and later turned to electronic music for inspiration. All of these influences are mixed with traditional or natural sounds, often represented by the chirping of birds or insects and gurgling water combined with synthesizer, Japanese temple bells and Buddhist chant
	Sample		Region	JAPAN, ASIA GENERAL
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	Artist	Teruhisa Fukuda, shakuhachi; Shiho Kineya, shamisen	Title	GAKUON JYU
	Catalogue No	ALCD-9014	Price	$ 23.99
	Review	Shin-Kyorei (traditional honkyoku) from Japan's modern traditional ensemble group. Traditional and gendai hogaku (contemporary music for traditional Japanese instruments) for solo shakuhachi, and shakuhachi and shamisen duo. Kineya Seiho: Ichijo, Kineya Seiho: Meikyo, Sumi Atsuki: Fish on the Horizon for shakuhachi and shamisen, Kaneta Choji: Shiki-soku-zeKu III for solo shakuhachi and Doi Yoshiyuki: Shukon for solo shakuhachi. Music for meditation and contemplation
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	Artist	Takano Kicho, koto	Title	SOUNDS FOR THE EARTH: WORKS OF TAKANO KICHO
	Catalogue No	Ebisu-5	Price	$ 23.99
	Review	Memory of Zipaquira, an original composition based on the late Takano Kicho's travels to Columbia, South America from a collection of contemporary pieces for Japanese koto, composed and performed by Takano Kicho, composer and koto virtuoso. The Caribbean Sea, Silence, Reminiscence, New Hachidan: A Shamisen Monologue, Whisper of a Heavenly Maiden, Silk Road: The Murmur of Wind Patterns, Echo: A Long-lost Memory, Ballade of Vidro, Mosaic. Takano was a true master
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	Artist	Den no kai: Kineya Kunitoshi, Matsunaga Tetsukuro	Title	JOMAKU: NAGAUTA SHAMISEN LIVE
	Catalogue No	KOTN-0001	Price	$ 23.99
	Review	Kibachi (The Devil's Plectrum), an original composition by Kineya Kunitoshi, performed by the Den no Kai duo, Kineya Kunitoshi and Matsunaga Tetsukuro. Modern and traditional nagauta shamisen music. Exciting, live performances from the new generation of nagauta artists
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	Artist	Ten Jinchi	Title	MEMOIRS OF MEMORY II
	Catalogue No	Ebisu-3	Price	$ 23.99
	Review	Ten Jinchi (Noriko Hirasawa) is remarkable for her ability to transcend tradition but still remain true to it. This elegant CD takes us back to a time when the silk strings of the so (koto) were appreciated for their natural resonance and the unadorned voice for its simple purity. But here is where tradition ends. Ten Jinchi performs original works for the so, each one an intimate poem. Glistening represents "the light that brightens all living creatures," played by a powerful virtuoso
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	Artist	Nanae Yoshimura, Satomi Fukami	Title	THE ART OF THE KOTO, VOL. 1
	Catalogue No	13186-2	Price	$ 15.99
	Review	Godan-ginuta for koto duo, performed by Nanae Yoshimura and Satomi Fukami, from the first of 3 CDs that cover the history of the koto. Nanae Yoshimura, master of the Ikuta School, expertly performs five representative pieces of the classical koto repertoire composed between the mid-17th and mid-19th c: Rokudan, Midare, Zangetsu, Godan-ginuta and Chidori. Superb
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	Artist	Various artists	Title	JAPAN: THE SPIRIT OF WATER
	Catalogue No	13172-2	Price	$ 15.99
	Review	Raintree, a modern work with traditional overtones, by Japan's famed composer Toru Takemitsu, from an unusual selection of traditional and modern works for solo shakuhachi, traditional and contemporary ensembles by Japanese and non-Japanese composers, on the theme of water. Works by Sen Amano, Michio Miyagi, Michael Askill, James Newton and James Ashley Franklin. Soothes your tired mind
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	Artist	Katsuko Chikushi, composition & Tatsumi Yoshioka, shakuhachi	Title	KOUGEN NO FU
	Catalogue No	ALCD-9015	Price	$ 19.99
	Review	Maboroshi no oute from a collection of gendai hogaku compositions by Chikushi Katsuko, one of Japan's leading women composers of traditional music. Romantic, contemporary, and somewhat Westernized works composed in gendai hogaku style for shakuhachi and koto, performed by Yoshioka Tatsumi, shakuhachi. Selections include Kougen no fu 1952, Maboroshi no hashira 1945, Maboroshi no oute 1934, Yoshinoshizuka 1965, Aoshima 1961
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	Artist	Miracle Percussion Ensemble	Title	DA-KYO-SHO-OH
	Catalogue No	ALCD-7050	Price	$ 23.99
	Review	Matra for solo marimba, solo timpani and 5 percussionists, composed by Nishimura Akira, performed by the innovative Japanese contemporary music group, Miracle Percussion Ensemble. Selections include Ney Rosauro: Mitos Brasileiros; Adachi Motohiko: Hayashi; Mizuno Shuko: Ko for conductor and 8 percussionists; Nishimura Akira: Matra; Wada Kaoru: Da-kyo-sho-oh; Ramon Mayer: Toccata Without Instruments; William J. Schinstine: Bossa Nova Without Instruments and Rock Trap. Bravo!
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	Artist	Haruna Miyake, composition & piano	Title	AIR MUSIC (KUKI NO ONGAKU)
	Catalogue No	ALCD-42	Price	$ 23.99
	Review	Air Music, an electronic interpretation of Orlando di Lasso, by composer Haruna Miyake, one of Japan's creative composers, from a collection of her contemporary Japanese ensemble and orchestral music. Toward the East, Inner Paradise VI, Bird Shadows, Playtime. Imaginative, new styles that explore all that Asia has to offer the contemporary music scene
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	Artist	Aki Takahashi, piano; Mamoru Fujieda, composer	Title	PLANETARY FOLKLORE: PIANO WORKS OF MAMORU FUJIEDA
	Catalogue No	ALCD-34	Price	$ 23.99
	Review	Falling Scale #2 from a collection of minimalist works for solo piano by Japanese composer Mamoru Fujieda, performed by Japan's most interesting and accomplished contemporary pianist, Aki Takahashi. Selections include Falling Scale 1-3, Upward Falling 1-2, Decorational Offering, Begin at the beginning, end at the end, begin at the end, end at the beginning; Planetary Folklore I for three pianos
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