Currents: March 2012

Uragoe - the first impression

We finally took a listen to the new album. After the gig with Kuro Yagi Shiro Yagi last week, Makigami played the yet-unreleased album entirely through the PA system of Bar Isshee in Shibuya, Tokyo.

We don't want to spoil your listening pleasure so keep it short - It's great of course, and there's one thing we'd like to tell you - it's not like any of their previous efforts. It's hard and pretty rocking. The rhythm section is tight as ever. It's hot as well, and we respectfully suggest you rush out and grab a copy.

HMV Japan now takes a worldwide pre-order. The link is here.


Orguss 02 OST reissue

Yes, it is. Orguss 02 OST, one of the most sought after Hikashu releases, will get reissued at last. The album has already been remastered and now plans to be out in late May. Originally released in 1992 as an original soundtrack of the video animation series, it is also the only so-called "media tie-in" title the band ever committed.

After the original release, it has never been rereleased before and now became a collector's item, unfortunately.

The remastered edition has a bonus track as well - the edited version of "Fushigi o Mitsumete," which is the one used on the actual video release.


Jazz Art Sengawa 2012 update

It's official. This year's Jazz Art Sengawa, the annual festival of jazz, improvisation and avant-pop, will be held on July 20-22.

Appearing will be Fujiwara Kiyoto, Sakamoto Hiromichi, Makigami Koichi, Oki Itaru, Cicara-mvta, Pet-Bottle Ningen, Kurachi Kumio, Kikuchi Naruyoshi, Sotoyama Akira, Ohtaka Shizuru, Kuramubon Mito, Davide Santorsola, Hikashu and more!