Customer Reviews

Ibuki

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was reading some of the other customer reviews on here, and was impressed with how people responded to the rhythms, time signatures, and such from Ibuki. As a hard-core Kodo fan, I heard those same things on this CD, but I'll take it one step back in the review. I like this CD and every track on it. That's a rarity for any CD I've listened to. The title track, "Ibuki", is the kind of track that makes you appreciate a simpler song - one takebue (bamboo flute) and Taiko. The two tracks of Zoku are absolutely wonderful, especially the first one in a 6/8 signature. I hear the lead player in that song - sounding suspiciously like ultra-talented Ryutaro Kaneko - and his riffs and solos are good enough to be a song within a song. There are some interesting vocal pieces in here. A-Sonja-O is the most "vocal" of these, with African rhythms and almost a singing call-and-response. Even Jang-Gwara, the CD's closer and primarily a multi-chappa (small cymbal) piece has a cacophany of chirping kiais (shouts/yells) that um...imitate frogs... Trust me on that one, you have to hear it for that not to sound silly. Overall? Good for anyone who wants to hear what Taiko can do. It's got different ranges in its 11 tracks that anyone can enjoy.

ibuki translates as "breath/wind" with the implication that all of creation feels the touch of the wind and thus there is continuity from one being to the next--see the liner notes for the title cut by flutist motofumi yamaguchi. all the liner notes are thought-provoking. ibuki and akabanah are evocative and melodious--perfect for listening to while viewing flowers. toki no koe, asonjao, nobi and wave/zoku are kickin' power rhythm pieces with strong hook action and for the intellectually curious, janggwara provides some humor, the hunted creates dark atmopheres of intrigue while nanafushi [7 beat rhythm] and a 6/8 interpretation of zoku push you into the area where right and left brain battle for dominance when interpreting the nature of music--what is it about 7 beats that's so hard for us to comprehend--is it all culturally conditioned? compare the wave and 6/8 versions of zoku and see how each affects you differently. kodo is currently prepping a cd to be released in 2000. go see their site. if you like taiko in general, search on Rolling Thunder.

As an American Living in Japan these many years, I have tried in earnest to absorb as much of the culture as I possibly can before I leave. However, upon hearing the traditional drumming which is a treat reserved mostly for major holidays, I must admit I have narrowed my focus of interest (to this). Kodo is a fine troupe and their Sensei is indeed a master, but I must say that there is a "commercial" feel to the cd release. Understandably, with an international release an aritist must include a certain "wider audience appeal" factor, but this has taken the album too far from tradition. There is a purity and clarity in what one experiences live at a celebration; complimenting the drums will usually be no more than a gong, bamboo shaft and cast bell. The addition of flutes and excessive "encouragement" shouts sounds a bit "Westernized". I still recommend this title to the uninitiated as an introduction to Taiko (albeit in a New Age genre sort of way).

The mood of this music is perfect, with a mixture of soul shaking pieces to stir even the sleepiest of listeners - I found it fantastic for the car - then couple these with the classic blend of shakahatchi, koto and voice then you have an album with a definate wow factor. Excellent - this is my 4th Japanese music album and the more I listen the more I realise what a music scene traditional Japan is hiding from the mainstream.

I was introduced to Kodo during their 97 US tour. This album, without a doubt, is a great compilation of their work. It has songs for any mood, although I highly recommend Asanjao and The Hunted as my favorites. The recordings are very clean and on a good stereo, it comes close to feeling like you are watching them live.

I first heard Kodo as guests on the recent album of Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura. I'd heard taiko drumming before, a couple of years ago in Hawaii and at the 1988 Australian bicentenary festival and enjoyed it very much, but on the Sepultura album, it really clicked. I immediately went out and tracked down one of their CDs (not that easy in Australia and it cost $38). You would think that japanese drumming and heavy metal have little in common buteven afterbeing a fan of mostly metal, taiko is one of the heaviest sounds I've heard. Especially amazing considering that it is sound created by pure human effort, not synthesisers and electricity. You would think that a CD of one drum track followed by another would become boring. Not so, the more I listened, the more each track became a complete, unique "song". The complexity of each grows the more you listen to it, and it's amazing how subtle the drum can be in conveying emotion. I know this CD like the back of my hand now, every rhythm change, when a particular beat falls, the spaces where they don't - and I'm still not sick of it. For me, these pieces are a lot richer, a lot more intense and enduring than 80% of so-called contemporary music. Rhythm is the basic element of everything but so often it is not explored enough. Long live Kodo.

I find that after a hard days work this music will calm me down. I let the music wash away all the negative ideas and stress away from the day. It motivates and energizes as it smooths my "cranky" mood.

It is an amazing compilation of music. A wide range of drums, flutes, and voice.

I would rate this recording of Taiko music among my most favorite CDs. Incidentally, my collection ranges from Bluegrass & Celtic to Mozart and Ani Difranco. Ibuki is a release which fully captures the amazing energy of Kodo, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has an eclectic taste in music. It is so clear that these musicians are tops in their genre.

as a percussionist- i love this kind of stuff- and so does my instructor- and that is how i was drawn in to buying this great cd- i just really like it- some of the tracks are nice and relaxing and others just have this awesome beat.. i love it!