From Japan, with its SAMURAI culture - a culture of a distinct spirit and philosophy - comes music expressive of the Japanese sense of aesthetics. This compilation album by PACIFIC MOON features a rich assortment of traditional musical instruments from Japan. Thundering taiko drums, sweeping shakuhachi flutes, rhythmic Buddhist chants, and meditative koto harp... Enter the passionate and mystical realm of the SAMURAI.
To enhance your enjoyment of the music, fragrant incense sticks are included in the spine of the CD jewel case.
Samurai Collection,Various Artists,Pacific Moon [Alleg],Ethnic Fusion,Int'l & World Music,New Age Collections,Pop,Traditional Japanese
Average customer rating: 
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Samurai Collection
Various Artists Manufacturer: Pacific Moon [Alleg] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| International
| Styles
| Music
General
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
General
| Compilations
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B0001EFU4G Release Date: 2004-03-02 |
Tracks:
- Wings Of The Eagle - Uttara-Kuru
- Rising Sun - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- Winter Dance - Uttara-Kuru
- First Image - Uttara-Kuru
- Flowers - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- The Lucky Spirit - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- Neyuki - Uttara-Kuru
- Forest - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- Tsugaru - Uttara-Kuru
- Midare Uchi - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- Konjaku Monogatari - Eri Sugai
- Wooden Ship - Uttara-Kuru
Album Description
From Japan, with its SAMURAI culture - a culture of a distinct spirit and philosophy - comes music expressive of the Japanese sense of aesthetics. This compilation album by PACIFIC MOON features a rich assortment of traditional musical instruments from Japan. Thundering taiko drums, sweeping shakuhachi flutes, rhythmic Buddhist chants, and meditative koto harp... Enter the passionate and mystical realm of the SAMURAI.To enhance your enjoyment of the music, fragrant incense sticks are included in the spine of the CD jewel case.
Customer Reviews:
Best ever compiliation.......2007-02-09
Japanese music.......2007-01-07
A truly mixed bag.......2005-07-26
The Album Description claims that the album is "music expressive of the Japanese sense of aesthetics..." and "features a rich assortment of traditional musical instruments from Japan." If using Japanese instruments in western music is expressive of Japanese culture, then they must really like new age over there... because this album is mostly new age music.
Uttara-kuru's pieces in particular feel disctinctly western, and both artists use synthesized instruments from time to time. "Tsugaru" actually uses a synth club/trance beat for much of its length, completely throwing the album's narrow sense of continuity out the window.
There are some gems, as medievalcrusadesbabe mentioned, but they do not justify the purchase price.
The music on this album isn't bad... it just isn't great, and certainly wasn't what I was expecting based on the description above. If you need something light with an asian tang to play at the bookstore where you work, then by all means purchase this album. Otherwise, check out the two (okay, three) artists out individually, and don't bother with this unnecessary experiment in record fusion.
Oh and I forgot to mention that the incense sticks included in this, as with other Pacific Moon cds, are of very low quality. They burn fast and may irritate those with allergies. Try Shoyeido incense if your want quality Japanese sticks without the reaction.
Quite Good!.......2004-08-04
There are several strong pieces on this collection. All of them are good quality and you can easily pick out which one of the three artists in this collage is playing just by listening for a few moments.
The ethereal strains of Yoshida-sama's drum/synth/wind compositions have what I call "long legs" as it seems to take virtually no time to fly through the song. The rolling melody in each is backed up by a strong rolling drum line. It's this percussive precession that make the pieces move so quickly. This music seems to lend itself well to imagery of a lone person atop a horse riding across broad, hilly plains.
Uttara-Kuru's compositions are, as another reviewer put it, much more traditional-feeling. The pieces still get some modern touches here and there, but the focus is generally on the skillful manipulation of a shakuhachi flute.
It's worth a listen if you're even remotely interested. The sample clips don't do it justice, but they give you the general idea!
A Strong Collection.......2004-04-30
This mixed disk focuses on Japanese Flute, Asian Drumming and also includes a vocal track by Eri Sugai. The tracks from Uttara Kuru are from the `East Wind' CD. The Kiyoshi Yoshida tracks are from the CD `Asian Drum' and the Eri Sugai track is from her `Mai' CD.
The pieces are chosen for their emotional draw. The drumming tracks are vibrant and forceful contrasting the flute tracks which, while still powerful, are more subtle yet skillfully done. Neither lacks power and effectively stands up to each other.
The titles chose are interesting as well. They draw upon the imagery of Japan, as in `Wings of the Eagle', or the simple elegance of nature as in `Winter Dance'. We see through the eyes of the artist their impressions of their homeland, from the spirituality presented in `The Lucky Spirit' and the vocal sampling in `Konjaku Monogatari' by Eri Sugai, to the day to day visuals in `Wooden Ship'.
While some pieces show definite western influence, there are some very traditional pieces. `First Image' is a solo Koto performance in the traditional style, invoking very strong Japanese imagery.
As always, Pacific Moon includes a booklet in English and Japanese with some short blurbs on the music, so you are not totally lost, and the incense in the CD case to enhance your listening experience.
A very lovely presentation, and one that will introduce you to the artists, give you a good taste of the Japanese musical experience and lay the foundation for future exploration of Japanese World Music.
mafoster
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Samurai Collection II
Various Artists Manufacturer: Pacific Moon [Alleg] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| International
| Styles
| Music
General
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
Meditation
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007NBACC Release Date: 2005-03-08 |
Tracks:
- Legend Of The Ocean
- D.N.A. - Bonten Bonten
- Hiten - Bonten Bonten
- Our Life - Uttara-Kuru
- Cherry Blossom
- Wazawai
- Silver Moon - Aaoyuki Onda
- Mad Spider's Web
- Another Day
- Flowers, Birds, Winds & Moon - Uttara-Kuru
- Duel
- Path - Mizuyo Komiya
Customer Reviews:
Paths through the woods.......2006-02-06
Average customer rating: 
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Samurai Spirits Neogeo's Collection Box
Original Game Soundtrack Manufacturer: Sony/Columbia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
Anime & Video Game Soundtracks
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B00024ZAD6 Release Date: 2004-07-19 |
Album Description
5 CD set. DE. 2004.
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Rurouni Kenshin Premium Collection
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000B9DGDS |
Product Description
Track list: Disc 1: Opening And Ending Theme Collection: 1. Freckles (1st Opening Theme) 2. TACTICS (1st Ending Theme) 3. I Know Tears (2nd Ending Theme) 4. HEART OF SWORD - In Front of The Bright Night - (3rd Ending Theme) 5. 1/2 (2nd Opening Theme) 6. It's Gonna Rain (5th Ending Theme) 7. 1/3 of Pure Feelings 8. Only When I Touch You 9. No Way! Disc 2: The Best Soundtrack Collection 1. Who Are You Protecting (Original Mix) 2. Train of Destiny -Prologue To Kyoto 3. The Last Wolf Suite - A Theme of Shishio Makoto 4. Departure (Master Mix) 5. Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu . Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki - A Theme of Hiko Seijuurou 6. The Plan of Ishin 7. Warriors Suite 8. Twist of Time 9. No Way Out 10. Her Most Beautiful Smile 11. In This Corner of The World - Epilogue - Withered Light - Venus And Mars Disc 3: OAV Soundtrack Album 1. Scene #1 2. Shades of Revolution 3. Scene #2 4. The Wars of The Last Wolves 5. Scene #3 6. Quiet Life 7. Scene #4 8. Sound of Snow Falling 9. Scene #5 10. In Memories "KO . TO . WA . RI"
Average customer rating:
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Samurai Collection II
Various Artists Manufacturer: Pacific Moon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B00077DA7G Release Date: 2005-03-08 |
Tracks:
- Legend of the Ocean
- D.N.A.
- Hiten
- Our Life - Uttara-Kuru
- Cherry Blossom
- Wazawai
- Silver Moon - Naoyuki Onda
- Mad Spider's Web
- Another Day
- Flowers, Birds, Winds & Moon - Uttara-Kuru, Uttara-Kuru
- Duel
- Path - Mizuyo Komiya
Average customer rating:
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Samurai Collection
Various Artists Manufacturer: Pacific Moon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| International
| Styles
| Music
General
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B0001DD1TI Release Date: 2004-03-02 |
Tracks:
- Wings of the Eagle - Uttara-Kuru
- Rising Sun - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- Winter Dance - Uttara-Kuru
- First Image - Uttara-Kuru
- Flowers - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- Luck Spirit - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- Neyuki - Uttara-Kuru
- Forest - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- Tsugaru - Uttara-Kuru
- Midare Uchi - Kiyoshi Yoshida
- Konjaku Monogatari - Eri Sugai
- Wooden Ship - Uttara-Kuru
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Rurouni Kenshin Brilliant Collection
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000BCLG6O |
Product Description
3 CD set from the Rurouni Kenshin Series featuring best of tracks, instrumental, vocal, and remixes. The first CD is completely instrumental and contains songs like Departure, The Last Wolf Suite, Fallen Angel, Warriors Suite, Lunatic, let it burn, Na-Go-mi, and Kimi wa dare wo mamotte iru for a total of 15 tracks including most major themes. The second CD is vocal tracks sung by the character actors and features Ice Blue eyes, 2 of a Kind!, Suki Toka ja Nakute..., and Kono Sekai no Katasumi de... for a total of 9 tracks. The third CD contains songs that reflect themes of the show and are mostly vocal tracks of instrumental themes including Journey, Innocence, Overture, and Blast for a total of 10 tracks. The Box set contains a total of 34 tracks on 3 CDs.
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Rurouni Kenshin Best Collection
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000EINE2Y |
Product Description
Track list: 1. Sobakasu (Judy And Mary) 4:15 2. Tactics (The Yellow Monkey) 4:28 3. Namida Wa Shitte Iru (Mayo Suzukaze) 4:34 4. Heart of Sword (T.M. Revolution) 4:03 5. 1/2 (Kawamoto Makoto) 5:13 6. The Forth Avenue Caf (l'Arc En Ciel) 5:00 7. It's Gonna Rain! (Bonnie Pink) 4:37 8. 1/3 (Siam Shade) 3:45 9. Towa no Mirai (???) 5:08 10. Forever Future (Animetal) 11. Kimi Ni Fureru Dakede (Curio) 12. Dame! (Izmui You) 13. Kimi Ni Fureru Dakede - Instrumental (Curio) 14. Dame! - Instrumental (Izmui You)Rock Music:
- Sanctuary
- Sanctuary
- Sensus
- Sing the Songs of Josh Groban
- Single Collection V.1 [Import]
- Sons of Somerled [Enhanced]
- Soul of the Conga
- Spirit of Tibet: A Musical Odyssey
- Taraf de Haïdouks
- The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Vol. 2
Recommended Music:
Piccinini: Intavolatura di Liuto, Libro Primo
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