Parapara, Ayumi Hamasaki and Japanese group dance

Japanese group dance or parapara (パラパラ) is something you may see when exploring nightlife in Japan. The group mentality is everywhere, including in da club!

This nice thing about this type of dance is that the moves are generally uncomplicated. This way the audience can dance the same way a performer does, and it unites everyone. Watch the below video from an Ayumi Hamasaki concert to see what I mean.

(Youtube)    

Intro lesson on Para para basics (Youtube)

Advanced para para (Youtube)

Two side notes: Ayumi Hamasaki is a great performer! She's got passion for singing and performance. Will review her stuff later. Also while para para is great and intricate, it does lack individuality and spontaneity. But it does not hurt to try. Para para away!

Perfume パフューム JPop's Finest

If you have not heard of electropop group Perfume, then where have you been??!

They are an all female group from Japan formed in 2001 in Hiroshima. The group includes Ayano Ōmoto, Yuka Kashino, and Ayaka Nishiwaki. If you've watched the Pixar movie "Cars II", then you may have heard their song "Polyrhythm". Perfume's first song to catch my ear was "Fushizen na Girl" (不自然なガール) back in 2010, and I've been hooked to their electropop sound, fashion, and choreography since. These girls kickass!

Perfume is busy touring Europe for Summer 2013, and then back to Japan in December 2013. Come to America soon!!

Polyrhythm performed in Tokyo Dome (TokumaJapan Youtube)

Fushizen na Girl (TokumaJapan Youtube)

RIP Nujabes 瀬場潤 - Japanese DJ

I was recently turned onto Nujabes 瀬場潤, a Japanese DJ who died in 2010 from a car accident. Nujabes stands for the DJ's name spelled backwards - Seba Jun. It's sad that artists are usually noticed post death, but his music is perfect for relaxation and reflection. I was turned onto his stuff by a very special Someone, and I'm glad I was introduced to this DJ because his stuff is sentimental, worldly and telephonic. Basically....I love it!

My favorite tracks are Flowers, which features Dinah Washington, and has a retro 1940s sound to it and Luv4u, a Nujabes mix created by Thomas Prime. Luv4u has a Japanese male singer flowing in a poetry slam style tone.

Sample these songs from Soundcloud below..

Nujabes - Flowers ft. Dinah Washington
Nujabes - Luv4u a Tribute by Thomas Prime

You can play Nujubes' whole 2005 Modal Soul album below. It's perfect "I'm in bed on a weekend and don't wanna leave the comfort of the covers" music.

RIP Nujabes

For some upbeat sounds, I like listening to Shinichi Osawa. My favorite mix is his Star Guitar mix by Au Revoir Simone. His music videos are ethereal, fun and are like visual crack candy.

From Youtube, Paris 

From Youtube, Star Guitars ft. Au Revoir Simone

Download the unmixed Star Guitars by Shinchi Osawa

Happy listening!

JPOP my ear!

This past month I've been discovering some fun, Japanese dance and pop music. My favorite finds are Perfume and DJ Moonbug. These are all thanks to Soundcloud, which is an awesome app of strictly homemade music or remixes. I have found some of my favorite house, pop and dance music remixes on it, so download when you get the chance!

I found Perfume on Youtube almost 3 years ago, and love their modern dance sound and music videos. They've got slick choreographed moves, and the visuals, including their costumes and background are AMAZING! Below is their music video for Fushizen na Girl.



(Video from Youtube - Tokuma Japan Communication)


(Video from Youtube ultrakohji)

 
(Video from TokumaJapan's Youtube site)

Perfume has had a few of their songs remixed by Moonbug or Novoiski 2 on Youtube. Visit Novoiski's page on Soundcloud

This remix by Moonbug is my FAVORITE!

Teresa Teng Party テレサ·テンパーティー 鄧麗君

I begin this post by offering prayers to those who passed away in last year's disaster in Japan. I also pray for the recovery of those severely affected, and wish for the speedy recovery to their normal lives. Please donate here Global Giving.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Teresa Teng was a megastar who ruled both the Japanese and Mandarin music scene. My mom would play all her music while she cooked, cleaned, or during karaoke nights when she and my Dad would invite friends for all night sing alongs.

I decided to host a Taiwan culture night featuring Teresa Teng this past weekend. She sums up the cultural fusion between Taiwan and Japan. Case in point, Taiwan was occupied by Japan for many years, and the locals were educated in Japanese language and culture. My Taiwanese grandparents probably spoke fluent Japanese. Due to my mixed parentage (Dad from Taiwan, Mom from Japan), I have an affinity for both cultures.

In my humble opinion, Teresa Teng has a female voice many Asians like which is soft, feminine, and smooth. From my Westernized ear, she sounds okay and maybe too soft, but she has good range and sang with passion. It is important to see and feel it from a singer. Below is a video of the Japanese version of "Toki No Nagare Ni Mi Wo Makase" (I Only Care About You) where Teresa begins to tear up after accepting a music award.



I also LOVED the fact that she was a diva in the fashion sense. Check out the dreads in this video. Her voice is much stronger and full of range. Also if you skip to 6:40:00 you will notice Teresa was CRAZY MULTILINGUAL. She spoke fluent Mandarin, Japanese, and Cantonese in a span of 2 minutes.



I wish she was able to continue to share her gift with the world. Ms. Teng passed away in Thailand of a severe asthma attack in 1995.

Happy New Year! 明けましておめでとうございます

Shout out to Kain for reminding me to write!

I hope everyone has a good start to 2012 thus far. Although my plans to visit Japan has delayed until 2013, I am planning to be in Asia this April. I am very excited! I am determined to be back again soon accompanied by Mom and siblings.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I recall celebrating New Year by visiting Little Tokyo. My family and I would eat at a restaurant, shop, and then listen to singers performing various old school Japanese to modern English songs. I love the way Japanese people like to mix East and West, and turn it into something very unique, and still Japanese.

My post is courtesy of alex00slash from Youtube. The music video and other content or copyright was sourced from Billboard Japan.



In terms of music video imagery, I really liked #2 Konya wa Karasawagi by Tokyo Jihen. The artists costumes were a mix of old Japanese, British royal court, and Lolita sweetheart. If you are looking for bubblegum pop with bright visuals then check out #11 Darl:orz by Kitano Kii. #10 is a psychedelic trip sort of like Empire of the Sun style. #3 is a heartfelt song for you emo folk by Takahashi Yu.