Ryukyu Underground
Encyclopedia
is an electronic music
duo, consisting of Keith Gordon and Jon Taylor, whose music is heavily based on and inspired by, traditional Okinawan folk music.
, and they often collaborate with native Okinawan singers and other musicians. Though their music may at times sound like a DJ's mix of dance tracks with min'yō tracks, it consists mostly, if not entirely, of compositions composed, performed and recorded as original, new pieces. It may draw extensively from traditional lyrics, tunes, and chords, it is never simply mixed from pre-existing recordings by other artists, and always includes considerable original elements. The pair started out incorporating vocals and other elements via sampling
, on later albums and other releases they have worked directly with Okinawan artists, recording vocals and other elements live in the studio. The duo has released four albums, and their music has been included in Buddha Bar compilation albums and used on a variety of television programs, documentaries, and other media.
Though questions could be raised about Westerners appropriating Okinawan music, the duo's reception in Okinawa by locals has been described as "ecstatic". The duo first tested their music in dance clubs in Okinawa, and were well received, the natives even dancing traditional kachashi
dances to it. In an interview in 2003, Taylor expressed that "we are both sensitive to the fact that Okinawan music is an important part of Okinawan culture, and we certainly don't want to disrespect it or commercialize it in a cheap way for profit. However, I'm confident we haven't done either."
Taylor cites Rinken Band
, the Nenes
, and Champloose
, the leading bands of the 1970s Uchinaa pop boom, among the duo's influences. Just as those bands took up electric guitar
and other "modern" instruments and sought to replicate the traditional folk songs, so Taylor notes that he and Gordon saw potential in doing something similar using computer equipment.
Most of Ryukyu Underground's albums and singles are released by the label Respect Records (Japan).
, in England, and was a fan of David Bowie
and early punk music. He first started playing music in the early 1980s, primarily on synthesizer
but is said to have been "out of sync with the mods and metalheads around him", before shifting to DJing
and organizing events in Manchester
. In an interview with the Japan Times, he describes this as "a good time to be in Manchester," but by the late 1980s, he was tired of the aggressive scene there.
Escaping England, which also saw strong political tensions and protests against the poll tax
es instituted by the Thatcher
administration, Gordon spent some time in Denmark, where he found a more open and welcoming environment for his music. One of his tracks, a remix of the theme to the television show "Twin Peaks
", was No. 1 on the Finnish charts for a time.
Gordon eventually left Denmark and after four years traveling through Asia and Australasia ended up in Okinawa, where in 1998 he met the American Jon Taylor, who was there doing doctoral research on the environmental problems faced by the islanders. Taylor had previously been a member of The Subjects, an electronic group, and had played guitar for several reggae groups, including U-Roy and The Ethiopians. Gordon describes Taylor as having been the one to motivate him into starting Ryukyu Underground and taking it seriously.
Gordon still lives in Okinawa today, while Taylor lives in Los Angeles
, where he works as a professor of geography; the two continue to collaborate by exchanging music and other data through the internet.
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
duo, consisting of Keith Gordon and Jon Taylor, whose music is heavily based on and inspired by, traditional Okinawan folk music.
Artistic style
The duo's music blends Okinawan folk songs with Western dance music and dubDub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
, and they often collaborate with native Okinawan singers and other musicians. Though their music may at times sound like a DJ's mix of dance tracks with min'yō tracks, it consists mostly, if not entirely, of compositions composed, performed and recorded as original, new pieces. It may draw extensively from traditional lyrics, tunes, and chords, it is never simply mixed from pre-existing recordings by other artists, and always includes considerable original elements. The pair started out incorporating vocals and other elements via sampling
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
, on later albums and other releases they have worked directly with Okinawan artists, recording vocals and other elements live in the studio. The duo has released four albums, and their music has been included in Buddha Bar compilation albums and used on a variety of television programs, documentaries, and other media.
Though questions could be raised about Westerners appropriating Okinawan music, the duo's reception in Okinawa by locals has been described as "ecstatic". The duo first tested their music in dance clubs in Okinawa, and were well received, the natives even dancing traditional kachashi
Kachāshī
, sometimes romanized as katcharsee, is a form of festive Ryukyuan folk dance. In Okinawa, it is often a feature of celebrations such as weddings and victory festivities after Okinawan sumo matches and public elections...
dances to it. In an interview in 2003, Taylor expressed that "we are both sensitive to the fact that Okinawan music is an important part of Okinawan culture, and we certainly don't want to disrespect it or commercialize it in a cheap way for profit. However, I'm confident we haven't done either."
Taylor cites Rinken Band
Rinken Band
is an Okinawan folk band that helped popularize their homeland's musical forms and traditional music starting in 1985, when their first hit, "Arigatou", was released....
, the Nenes
Nenes
Nēnēs is an Okinawan folk music group formed in 1990 by China Sadao . The group name means "sisters" in Okinawan. Nēnēs is composed of four female singers who perform traditional Okinawan shima uta songs in traditional costume with sanshin accompaniment; they have also performed with a backing...
, and Champloose
Champloose
is a Japanese band from Okinawa blending traditional Okinawan music with a strong Western rock influence. Their name is apparently derived from the word for a traditional Okinawan stir-fry, chanpuru. Singer and lead songwriter Shoukichi Kina's electric sanshin was a particularly distinctive part of...
, the leading bands of the 1970s Uchinaa pop boom, among the duo's influences. Just as those bands took up electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
and other "modern" instruments and sought to replicate the traditional folk songs, so Taylor notes that he and Gordon saw potential in doing something similar using computer equipment.
Most of Ryukyu Underground's albums and singles are released by the label Respect Records (Japan).
Background
Gordon grew up in Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, in England, and was a fan of David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and early punk music. He first started playing music in the early 1980s, primarily on synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
but is said to have been "out of sync with the mods and metalheads around him", before shifting to DJing
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
and organizing events in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. In an interview with the Japan Times, he describes this as "a good time to be in Manchester," but by the late 1980s, he was tired of the aggressive scene there.
Escaping England, which also saw strong political tensions and protests against the poll tax
Poll tax
A poll tax is a tax of a portioned, fixed amount per individual in accordance with the census . When a corvée is commuted for cash payment, in effect it becomes a poll tax...
es instituted by the Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
administration, Gordon spent some time in Denmark, where he found a more open and welcoming environment for his music. One of his tracks, a remix of the theme to the television show "Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The series follows the investigation headed by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper , of the murder of a popular teenager and homecoming queen, Laura Palmer...
", was No. 1 on the Finnish charts for a time.
Gordon eventually left Denmark and after four years traveling through Asia and Australasia ended up in Okinawa, where in 1998 he met the American Jon Taylor, who was there doing doctoral research on the environmental problems faced by the islanders. Taylor had previously been a member of The Subjects, an electronic group, and had played guitar for several reggae groups, including U-Roy and The Ethiopians. Gordon describes Taylor as having been the one to motivate him into starting Ryukyu Underground and taking it seriously.
Gordon still lives in Okinawa today, while Taylor lives in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where he works as a professor of geography; the two continue to collaborate by exchanging music and other data through the internet.
Albums
- Ryukyu Underground (2002)
- Mo Ashibi (2003)
- Ryukyu Remixed (2004)
- An Evening with Ryukyu Underground (2005)
- Shimadelica (2006)
- Umui (2009)
Maxi-Singles
- Hana (2003)
- Kuiji nu Hana (2004)
- Okinawa Lounge (2004)
- Kogane no Hana (2006)
- Seragaki (2004)
Tracks Appear On
- Buddha Bar VI
- Buddha Bar VII
- Buddha Bar XII
- Taipei Lounge 2
- Double Standard - Sunaga T Experience
- Peace Not war - Japan
- The Maze Vol. 2 - The Avantgarde Of Trance
- Zen Connection 3
- Baroque In Session 02
- Side-Tracked
- World Meditation - Spiritual Music For Modern Living
- A Tango for Guevara and Evita (Miyazawa Kazufumi)
- "Bar: Tokyo"