A Platform for Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
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MKR Project:
Aragaki Mutsumi (vocal, sanshin, spoken word) http://www.aragakimutsumi.com
Sakamoto Ken (bass, chorus) http://sakamotokengo.com
Rob Goodman (drums, percussion, rap, chorus) https://www.facebook.com/RobGood30
Facebook official page: https://www.facebook.com/MKRProject/
The Okinawan world funk jazz trio formed the band in July 2015 in Okinawa, Japan. They progressively integrate Okinawan traditional music with contemporary sounds such as Jazz, Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, Afrobeat, Ambient, and so on, pioneering a new chapter of Okinawan music. Their inspiring lyrics and soulful and sophisticated groovy unique sound of world standard have been highly regarded by musicians and music critics internationally. Aragaki's 2 songs were selected for WOMEX2015 Okinawan music sample CD. They debuted as an opening act at a live show of Kate Havnevik and Guy Sigsworth, producer of Madonna, Seal, and Björk. They performed at the Trans Asia Music Meeting 2016 showcase. On the world chart of the world music site Ethnocloud in Feb. 2016, their video appeared at 9th and 12th, and also 1st and 2nd on the Asian influence chart. It was also selected for streaming at South by Southwest (SXSW). In Songlines Magazine May 2016, a leading world music magazine published in the UK, they were introduced.
=Media=
[Songlines Magazine No. 117, May 2016] by John Potter
The trio MKR Project stands out with their experimental blending of old and new. Their singer and sanshin player Mutsumi Aragaki composes her own songs to which bass and drums are added. The drummer is Rob Goodman, an American resident on Okinawa. Aragaki also sings solo, is a sanshin teacher, and has just collaborated on live shows as a duo with Malian kora player Mamadou Doumbia. She is the focus of MKR Project's music, and the traditional Okinawan songs are given languid jazzy arrangements with her voice and sanshin to the fore. It's a mix that is still evolving but is one of the most promising at the showcase.
[Power of Okinawa] by John Potter
The main focus of the trio is Aragaki, who has a strong voice and is an adaptable and imaginative sanshin player. Sakamoto and Goodman are also accomplished musicians, and their different musical interests and backgrounds are all given space within this framework.
It will be fascinating to see where it goes. MKR Project is establishing themselves on the Okinawan music scene, and there isn't anyone else doing quite what they do.
https://powerofokinawa.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/mkr-project-in-naha/
Aragaki Mutsumi (vocal, sanshin, spoken word) http://www.aragakimutsumi.com
Sakamoto Ken (bass, chorus) http://sakamotokengo.com
Rob Goodman (drums, percussion, rap, chorus) https://www.facebook.com/RobGood30
Facebook official page: https://www.facebook.com/MKRProject/
The Okinawan world funk jazz trio formed the band in July 2015 in Okinawa, Japan. They progressively integrate Okinawan traditional music with contemporary sounds such as Jazz, Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, Afrobeat, Ambient, and so on, pioneering a new chapter of Okinawan music. Their inspiring lyrics and soulful and sophisticated groovy unique sound of world standard have been highly regarded by musicians and music critics internationally. Aragaki's 2 songs were selected for WOMEX2015 Okinawan music sample CD. They debuted as an opening act at a live show of Kate Havnevik and Guy Sigsworth, producer of Madonna, Seal, and Björk. They performed at the Trans Asia Music Meeting 2016 showcase. On the world chart of the world music site Ethnocloud in Feb. 2016, their video appeared at 9th and 12th, and also 1st and 2nd on the Asian influence chart. It was also selected for streaming at South by Southwest (SXSW). In Songlines Magazine May 2016, a leading world music magazine published in the UK, they were introduced.
=Media=
[Songlines Magazine No. 117, May 2016] by John Potter
The trio MKR Project stands out with their experimental blending of old and new. Their singer and sanshin player Mutsumi Aragaki composes her own songs to which bass and drums are added. The drummer is Rob Goodman, an American resident on Okinawa. Aragaki also sings solo, is a sanshin teacher, and has just collaborated on live shows as a duo with Malian kora player Mamadou Doumbia. She is the focus of MKR Project's music, and the traditional Okinawan songs are given languid jazzy arrangements with her voice and sanshin to the fore. It's a mix that is still evolving but is one of the most promising at the showcase.
[Power of Okinawa] by John Potter
The main focus of the trio is Aragaki, who has a strong voice and is an adaptable and imaginative sanshin player. Sakamoto and Goodman are also accomplished musicians, and their different musical interests and backgrounds are all given space within this framework.
It will be fascinating to see where it goes. MKR Project is establishing themselves on the Okinawan music scene, and there isn't anyone else doing quite what they do.
https://powerofokinawa.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/mkr-project-in-naha/
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