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Christal Zone - Rai Rai / Kanashiyana (J Jazz Masterclass Series) - 7" Last 5
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Christal Zone - Rai Rai / Kanashiyana (J Jazz Masterclass Series)
Label : BBE : BBE794SLP
Format: 7"- 45rpm BLK
Country: JAPAN
Released: Jan 2026
Genre: J JAZZ
English translation of the liner notes:
RAI RAI (2:56)
KANASHIYANA (3:05)
Sung by and performed by Crystal Zone
Hideakira Sakurai - Koto/ Shamisen/ African Drum/ Vocal
Kazuo Kojima - Koto/ Japanese Percussion
Kyoichiro Morimura - Tenor, Soprano Saxophone
Toru Aizawa - Piano
Kazufumi Ohama - Bass
Tetsuya Morimura - Drums
It finally looks like the era of Pacific area culture has arrived. The ancient period of the Mu continent is largely forgotten and, not too long ago, when it came to the cultural flavour of the world, it was owned by the people of the Atlantic Ocean coastline, Europe and the East Coast of America. You could say that, as time passed and the taste of people shifted, the world’s cultural leadership has transferred into the hands of the people of the Pacific coasts. Music, etc. is surely a great example. The American West Coast has always got their music distributed to the rest of the world. And as for Japan, it is coming soon, too.
It is the end of an era where clothing is an indication of your social class, so now anyone can dress however they like, when they want and, as such, it is an era in which people can also enjoy the music that they like according to their own needs. Musical tastes have also diversified and it is a matter of course that it becomes more private and, if it gets more private, it has the capacity to
directly inspire the listener.
So, what actually is our music? Instead of stating an anachronism, songs of war and revolution are like a sense of danger from the 19th century that cannot escape being obviously ridiculous. For example, Japanese people—who sometimes slurp instant noodles—copying hard rock perfectly, reeks of a somewhat monkey-like frivolity. However, you could say that this flexibility is the foundation of Japanese culture. At any rate, the reason why Japanese rock groups are focused on writing their own original songs is because they want to make an honest, totally subjective statement.
Like the economy that is called the economic animal, music itself—and with it—the recording technology, has improved remarkably in recent years. What stands out most among them is, of course, the finished works’ musicianship and originality. As you can hear, this group’s songs have originality, with its use of Japanese instruments. They are a group with impeccable chops and you can really enjoy them. Adding a koto to an ensemble of bass, piano, drum, percussion, trumpet, and saxophone was an outstanding idea. In addition, it is worth calling to attention the fact that, rather than simply indulging in exoticism, they manage to perform their songs perfectly with a Latin rock flavour. All the members of this group are either alumnus of music universities or top-level young artists in the Japanese music scene.
Kunihiko Murai
RAI RAI (2:56)
KANASHIYANA (3:05)
Sung by and performed by Crystal Zone
Hideakira Sakurai - Koto/ Shamisen/ African Drum/ Vocal
Kazuo Kojima - Koto/ Japanese Percussion
Kyoichiro Morimura - Tenor, Soprano Saxophone
Toru Aizawa - Piano
Kazufumi Ohama - Bass
Tetsuya Morimura - Drums
It finally looks like the era of Pacific area culture has arrived. The ancient period of the Mu continent is largely forgotten and, not too long ago, when it came to the cultural flavour of the world, it was owned by the people of the Atlantic Ocean coastline, Europe and the East Coast of America. You could say that, as time passed and the taste of people shifted, the world’s cultural leadership has transferred into the hands of the people of the Pacific coasts. Music, etc. is surely a great example. The American West Coast has always got their music distributed to the rest of the world. And as for Japan, it is coming soon, too.
It is the end of an era where clothing is an indication of your social class, so now anyone can dress however they like, when they want and, as such, it is an era in which people can also enjoy the music that they like according to their own needs. Musical tastes have also diversified and it is a matter of course that it becomes more private and, if it gets more private, it has the capacity to
directly inspire the listener.
So, what actually is our music? Instead of stating an anachronism, songs of war and revolution are like a sense of danger from the 19th century that cannot escape being obviously ridiculous. For example, Japanese people—who sometimes slurp instant noodles—copying hard rock perfectly, reeks of a somewhat monkey-like frivolity. However, you could say that this flexibility is the foundation of Japanese culture. At any rate, the reason why Japanese rock groups are focused on writing their own original songs is because they want to make an honest, totally subjective statement.
Like the economy that is called the economic animal, music itself—and with it—the recording technology, has improved remarkably in recent years. What stands out most among them is, of course, the finished works’ musicianship and originality. As you can hear, this group’s songs have originality, with its use of Japanese instruments. They are a group with impeccable chops and you can really enjoy them. Adding a koto to an ensemble of bass, piano, drum, percussion, trumpet, and saxophone was an outstanding idea. In addition, it is worth calling to attention the fact that, rather than simply indulging in exoticism, they manage to perform their songs perfectly with a Latin rock flavour. All the members of this group are either alumnus of music universities or top-level young artists in the Japanese music scene.
Kunihiko Murai
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