The Music Power from Okinawa

Amazon.com
There is nothing that quite compares to these live recordings made in Kina's own nightclub in Okinawa, Japan, in 1977. He took a local style of music called katcharsee and turned it into a proto-punk folk music that has all the power of a good rock band yet holds on to the local flavor of Okinawa's sanshin music. By taking this ancient folk instrument and electrifying it and by then adding bass, drums, and a girl-group style chorus, Kina began his journey to redefine and localize the popular music of Okinawa and, to some extent, Japan. These recordings are pretty raw, even after a quality digital remastering, but they evoke a visceral response, whether it's in a lilting ballad or the thundering "Hasai Ojisan!" At the same time that bands like Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span were expanding the folk roots of England, Kina and Champloose were making a revolution in Okinawa. --Louis Gibson

The Music Power from Okinawa,Shoukichi Kina,Globe Style,Asia,Int'l & World Music,Japan,Japanese,Okinawa,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating:

Some reviewers sniffing glue?

Kina's Kitchen

Quintessentially Okinawan

KINA's KITCHEN STILL STANDS IN OKINAWA

The Music Power from Okinawa
Shoukichi Kina
Manufacturer: Globe Style
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Japan | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music
General | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Far East & Asia | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rough Guide to Okinawa

Eisa Okinawa

Okinawa Shimauta Best

Asia Classics 2: Peppermint Tea House

Oyasumi: Japanese Lullabies and Restful Melodies

ASIN: B000000ZSJ
Release Date: 2004-12-27

Tracks:

Haisai Ojisan
Uwaki Bushi
Red Ojisan
Bancho Guwa
Agarizachi
Sukuchinamun
Ichimushiguwanu Yuntaku
Bashaguwa Suncha
Shimaguwa Song
Tokyo Sanbika
Shimaguwa Song

Product Description

1. Haisai Ojisan
2. Uwaki Bushi
3. Red Ojisan
4. Bancho Guwa
5. Agarizachi
6. Sukuchinamun
7. Ichimushiguwanu Yuntaku
8. Bashaguwa Suncha
9. Shimaguwa Song
10. Tokyo Sanbika
11. Shimaguwa Song (Single Version)

Format: CD

Amazon.com

There is nothing that quite compares to these live recordings made in Kina's own nightclub in Okinawa, Japan, in 1977. He took a local style of music called katcharsee and turned it into a proto-punk folk music that has all the power of a good rock band yet holds on to the local flavor of Okinawa's sanshin music. By taking this ancient folk instrument and electrifying it and by then adding bass, drums, and a girl-group style chorus, Kina began his journey to redefine and localize the popular music of Okinawa and, to some extent, Japan. These recordings are pretty raw, even after a quality digital remastering, but they evoke a visceral response, whether it's in a lilting ballad or the thundering "Hasai Ojisan!" At the same time that bands like Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span were expanding the folk roots of England, Kina and Champloose were making a revolution in Okinawa. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Some reviewers sniffing glue?.......2003-06-12

It is fine to like this music, but to call it "proto-punk" is a total misnomer. That line you've heard about punk being about attitude, not music? It's a lie. Whatever lifestyle choices the term connotes, it most definitely does specify a type of rock 'n' roll, and "The Music Power from Okinawa" most definitely has nothing in common with it. Shonen Knife? Punk rock. REO Speedwagon? Not punk rock. Green Day? Perhaps a matter of opinion, but judging strictly from Amazon's sound clips, Shoukichi Kina makes them sound like the baddest, most strident, least socially acceptable punk band on earth. Sorry to rain on the parade, but I've read two reviews alluding to the "punk" nature of this album, and I have better things to do than to spend time previewing a mislabeled recording and be reminded that some ignorant music writers can't fathom the most obvious fine-points of pop-music analysis.

Kina's Kitchen.......2000-09-23

Kina's Kitchen was first located by Kadena Gate 1 in what was in the late sixties, early seventies called the Pan Pacific Building. It moved in the mid 90's to the location near Ft Buckner, Camp BUtler to you Marines who can't remember that the whole are save the small Fostor area was once all Army property. It was located adjacent to what is called Hamby Town on some old Army Helo field and reclaimed land.

Kina by the way is a mans name.. its now closed I believe.

Quintessentially Okinawan.......1999-08-28

If you want a true representation of Okinawan music this is it. I lived in Okinawa for 13 years, (83-96) and attended many festivals, often the only foreigner, at different villages and islands and was fortunate enough to meet Shoukichi in early '95. To set the record straight: Kina's Kitchen in Okinawa is not Shoukichi's club and didn't even exist in it's present location when this CD was recorded. Shoukichi's club is located in Naha City.

KINA's KITCHEN STILL STANDS IN OKINAWA.......1999-06-20

I was stationed on Okinawa (Camp Kinser) from December 1997 to December 1998 and frequented Kina's Kitchen. (Where this CD was recorded). The Okinawan people are very respectful, modest, kind, and generous. Their music is beautiful and steeped in history and culture. This recording is a good representation of how diverse the music of Okinawa sounds. I miss Kina's Kitchen and my Okinawan friends who I used to sing Karaoke with downstairs on the 3rd floor right below Kina's. It was one of the best years of my life and I will forever be grateful to the people of Okinawa for welcoming a foreignor to their country with kindness and respect.