Everywhere I went in Japan, I had people walk up to me and tell me how much they loved Black people and Black American culture. Often people would list their favorite Black heroes-- Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Al Green and Mariah Carey. It was an interesting combination, enough for social scientists to pour over for ages, but I was generally impressed by the musical tastes of the people I met. They listened to Mos Def and A Tribe Called Quest and John Coltrane and Marvin Gaye and Public Enemy. Much more exciting than your typical radio station lineup back home in the US. Especially popular was Mariah Carey. She was simply everywhere in Japan when I was there. I know, Im showing my age. Of course, Japan has plenty of extraordinary R&B, Soul and Jazz musicians of their own, and I dont know if I expressed this well before-- but Japanese R&B, in particular, is really something else. It has a sensibility that reminds you of some of the American greats-- but its really uniquely its own thing. Lyrical, expansive, and delightful to the soul. Heres another favorite singer of mine, Misia, with her single Aitakute Ima. Theres a bit of oversinging, but then Mariah Carey and Toni Braxton and Whitney Houston oversang all the time. Spectacular vocals, beautiful arrangements and gorgeous costumes and art direction in this real gem written and performed by Misia. #JapaneseRnB youtu.be/MYo5alIaUOk
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 20:26:59 +0000
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