Customer Reviews

Beyond

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I stumbled upon this CD while searching for music containing tsugaru shamisen (traditional Japanese stringed instrument). At first, I was going to just write it off as being another "world fusion" attempt, however, I decided to give it a try... WOW, to my surprise, it was absolutely beautiful!

The shamisen is such an emotion evoking instrument as it is, and paired with electronic beats and world music influences... well, a completely new sound is created... and it is SO refreshing... and beautiful! I love how the traditional sounds of the shamisen meld with the modern components of the music... the rhythms are great, too.

Most importantly, I can listen to this album and not get bored. The music takes you on a journey, without staying in one place too long. Oh, and the kodo drums are amazing!!!

As an introduction to the Western Market, Agatsuma is a Tsugaru shamisen master who is fueling the latest craze in
Japan. A Tsugaru shamisen is a banjo-like, fretless, three stringed instrument. Agatsuma was a child prodigy with the shamisen by age 4 and at age 14 won the top prize in Japan's most prestigious national competition. He is described as a true master of the instrument with a `rock star stance'.

This CD introduces Agatsuma to the western ear, with the traditional feel of the Japanese shamisen backed up with various western beats yet retaining a very Japanese feel to the music.

The music varies in flavor, as in the track "An End of Sorrow' where the accompanying instrument is an accordion, giving it a very `French' flavor. We are presented with a jazz/pop feeling in `Dawnlight' and jazz/funk in `Shami's Groove'. There is a very traditional feel in `Heartbeat', a very soft, romantic ballad in `Tears' while being very powerful in `Panther.

The material is all original compositions, and you can easily identify the influences of rock, jazz and even Latin beats. They are expertly interwoven into the compositions, never detracting from the very definite Japanese texture to the music.

This is a very good introduction to the shamisen by a master not only of the instrument itself but also in composition to highlight the artist's ability to incorporate it into modern music. You can easily understand how this instrument has gone into a revival in Japan. Agatsuma very effectively brings the past to meet the present in these compositions.

If you are enchanted with the current introduction of Oriental music into the US as I am, this is a great addition to your collection. It is also a wonderful introduction to the Western Ear of an instrument that has found a place in modern music. maf

Agatsuma plays on the Japanese traditional instrument Tsugaru Shamisen. This is a sort of guitar, but there are just three strings. So, you can imagine sound that this instrument is producing, it is very special.

At the same time, music genres used by Agatsuma varies from Neo-Classics and New Age to Jazz, Pop and Rock. And almost Irish music of "In the Sky" could be well used by Riverdance! mmmm, I love it, I want to dance myself when I listen to it!

The palette of music instruments used is impressive too: drums, guitar, shakuhachi, accordion, violins, cello, piano, etc. For a number of tracks programming is done by Seiichi Kyoda (a famous musician, composer and producer).

Unlike the Japanese version of 'Beyond' (which costs hell of money), this US version does not have a copy-control. CD is furnished with a colour 12-page booklet. MP3 samples for all 10 tracks are available on the web-site of Domo Records.

I invite you to try this new CD of Agatsuma!