Champlers' Urizun Okinawa Music Restaurant is the latest in a
long line of enjoyably offbeat folk albums to be released by
TCM. It might be a far cry from the predominantly guitar driven,
throaty Taiwanese folk that has made TCM one of Taiwan's leading
independent labels, but the material is, as we've come to expect
from the label both unique enough to be considered
non-mainstream, yet still accessible to all regardless of one's
musical preferences.
A folk band from Okinawa, the Champlers comprises three members
of the Miyagi family (Yasumitsu, Masami and their 12-year-old
son, Taiki) and an assortment of equally musically minded
friends. Heavily involved in the Japanese peace movement, the
Champlers have performed at peace rallies throughout Japan and
released its first album, Ichyaribacyode, to much acclaim in
2001. When they're not playing music, the Miyagi's are
proprietors of a traditional Okinawa music restaurant called
Urizun.
A mix of upbeat, serene and generally agreeable tunes Urizun
Okinawa Music Restaurant is a real gem of an album. The material
on the combo's Taiwan debut is a blend of traditional Okinawan
folk tunes that have been given a makeover with a collection of
contemporary styles and sounds.
The traditional sounds of the sanshin (a three stringed Japanese
guitar) taiko drumming, a wooden percussion instrument called a
samba and the fue, or Okinawa flute, blend and glide faultlessly
with those of the guitar, saxophone and synthesizer and the
vocals are moving, yet earthy and sound genuine rather than
pompous.
By Gavin Phipps |
Champlers
Folk Music Family From Okinawa Japan
A folk band from Okinawa, The Champlers is the members of the Miyagi family, part activists and part entertainers, creating music from traditional Okinawa folk tunes to modern sounds with a classic twist.Their distinguished sounds of
sanshin, samba, taiko and flute glide with the sweet, but full-spirited, vocals. Most beats are lively, some are extremely tranquil and the rest are uplifting. Though forward and direct in its stylic approaches, The Champlers does so without being too pretentious. It is a celebration of family, tradition, music, and Okinawa food ( the family owns a restaurant ''URIZUN'' in Tokyo!)
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