Koenji hyakkei
Encyclopedia
, also known as Kōenjihyakkei, is a Japanese Zeuhl
band led by Yoshida Tatsuya
of Ruins fame. The band released their first (self-titled) album in 1994 with Aki Kubota from Bondage Fruit on vocals and keyboard. Though rhythmically not as complex as Ruins, Kōenji Hyakkei still evokes a feeling of unfamiliarity due to non-standard modes and chanting in a nonsensical language.
keeps biographical information to a minimum in order to sustain a mystique. Former vocalist Kubota Aki (who has returned to the band in 2007) is originally from the Kōenji area of Tokyo
, which is the only real lead on the origin of the name.
has been the only consistent member of the band, with Sakamoto Kengo playing on bass from their second album onwards. As the band has added new members, the band's sound changes, shifting from folky Progressive rock
to minimalism
to Jazz fusion
with the inclusion of Komori Keiko on reeds (usually soprano saxophone
) on their album Angherr Shisspa.
Kobaïan
language (a notable exception is the song Zoltan from their self-titled album, a Kyrie
). It is unlikely, though, that there is any meaning in the words. There are few words shorter than four letters, and almost no instances of words repeated in more than one phrase. Additionally, spelling conventions and pronunciation vary between albums and songs, making it unlikely that the lyrics represent a single language.
There is no standard way of romanizing the name 高円寺百景. Official sources write it as Koenji Hyakkei or Koenjihyakkei and less commonly KoenjiHyakkei, Koenji-Hyakkei, and others.
Zeuhl
Zeuhl means celestial in Kobaïan, the constructed language created by Christian Vander. Originally solely applied to the music of Vander's band, Magma, the term zeuhl was eventually used to describe the similar music produced by French bands, beginning in the mid-1970s...
band led by Yoshida Tatsuya
Yoshida Tatsuya
is a Japanese musician and composer who is the only consistent member of the renowned progressive rock duo Ruins, as well as Koenji Hyakkei...
of Ruins fame. The band released their first (self-titled) album in 1994 with Aki Kubota from Bondage Fruit on vocals and keyboard. Though rhythmically not as complex as Ruins, Kōenji Hyakkei still evokes a feeling of unfamiliarity due to non-standard modes and chanting in a nonsensical language.
History
Very little is known about the history of Kōenji Hyakkei. Some have speculated that YoshidaYoshida Tatsuya
is a Japanese musician and composer who is the only consistent member of the renowned progressive rock duo Ruins, as well as Koenji Hyakkei...
keeps biographical information to a minimum in order to sustain a mystique. Former vocalist Kubota Aki (who has returned to the band in 2007) is originally from the Kōenji area of Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, which is the only real lead on the origin of the name.
Band members
YoshidaYoshida Tatsuya
is a Japanese musician and composer who is the only consistent member of the renowned progressive rock duo Ruins, as well as Koenji Hyakkei...
has been the only consistent member of the band, with Sakamoto Kengo playing on bass from their second album onwards. As the band has added new members, the band's sound changes, shifting from folky Progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
to minimalism
Minimalist music
Minimal music is a style of music associated with the work of American composers La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. It originated in the New York Downtown scene of the 1960s and was initially viewed as a form of experimental music called the New York Hypnotic School....
to Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
with the inclusion of Komori Keiko on reeds (usually soprano saxophone
Soprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
) on their album Angherr Shisspa.
Language
It is not clear what language Kōenji Hyakkei songs are sung in. For the most part, lyrics are reminiscent of Christian Vander'sChristian Vander (musician)
Christian Vander is a French drummer, musician, and founder of the band Magma. Besides his work with Magma, he has also performed solo, with the Christian Vander Trio and Christian Vander Quartet, and in Offering....
Kobaïan
Kobaïan
-External links:*. Perfect Sound Forever.*....
language (a notable exception is the song Zoltan from their self-titled album, a Kyrie
Kyrie
Kyrie, a transliteration of Greek κύριε , vocative case of κύριος , meaning "Lord", is the common name of an important prayer of Christian liturgy, which is also called the Kýrie, eléison ....
). It is unlikely, though, that there is any meaning in the words. There are few words shorter than four letters, and almost no instances of words repeated in more than one phrase. Additionally, spelling conventions and pronunciation vary between albums and songs, making it unlikely that the lyrics represent a single language.
There is no standard way of romanizing the name 高円寺百景. Official sources write it as Koenji Hyakkei or Koenjihyakkei and less commonly KoenjiHyakkei, Koenji-Hyakkei, and others.
Discography
- 1994: Hundred Sights of KoenjiHundred Sights of Koenji高円寺百景, also known as Hundred Sights of Koenji, is the 1994 debut album by the Zeuhl band Koenjihyakkei. The album was released in the USA in 2008 by the American record label Skin Graft Records in a new version where drummer and founding member Tatsuya Yoshida has re-recorded the drums and remixed...
(高円寺百景) (remastered and reissued in 2008) - 1997: Viva Koenji!Viva Koenji!弐, also known as Viva Koenji! and 2 is the second studio album by the band Kōenji Hyakkei.-Track listing:# Grembo Zavia - # Graddinoba Revoss - # Sllina Vezom - # Quidom -...
(弐(II)) - 2001: NivraymNivraymNivraym is the third studio album by the Zeuhl band Koenjihyakkei, released in Japan on the Magaibutsu Limited label in 2001. The album was released in the USA in 2009 by the American record label Skin Graft Records as a re-recorded and re-mixed version....
(remastered and reissued in 2009) - 2005: Angherr ShisspaAngherr ShisspaAngherr Shisspa is the fourth studio album by the Zeuhl band Koenjihyakkei.- Track listing :All tracks by Yoshida Tatsuya except were noted# "Tziidall Raszhisst" – 7:14# "Rattims Friezz" – 7:01...
Videography
- 2002: Live at Star Pine's Cafe (DVD)
- 2006: Live at Doors (DVD)
- 2008: 070531 (DVD)
- 2010: Live at Koenji High (DVD)