gravity a song book of origami PRODUCTIONS
for HMV Shibuya,Online 10th Aniversary
(HMV限定販売、1000円1000枚限定）
released on Sept.17,2008 ◆HMV Online◆
Including
1. Avenue / Shingo Suzuki and Ol' K
2. Right Now feat. Amphibious Underground with Youngs / 45
3. love sick feat. Eshe of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT / mabanua
4. all things in the universe / thirdiq feat. Hanah
5. Take U to Somewhere / OVALL
6. mood / thirdiq
7. Theme From The Chase / 45
8. chase the answer feat. Hiddy / mabanua
9. Caramel for The Caramel / Shingo Suzuki
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1st album "HELLO FRIENDS"
released on Feb.6,2008
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saudade -cocomo-
including 45's new song
"Lost Vibes"
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[THE NIGHT LIFE EP]
A-1) THE NIGHT LIFE
feat.Steph Pockets
A-2) UNDERGROUND SUPERSTAR
B-1) THE NIGHT LIFE
feat.Steph Pockets(Remix)
45 a.k.a. SWING-O,Japanese pianist/composer/producer mainly works in Tokyo club music scene with countless big names (Steph Pockets,KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE, Ai, Keyco,Kreva, etc). He joined more than 100 album as a producer, composer,pianist. He was a leader of izanami that are soul band. After that,He belongs to the band called JAMNUTS which is a project of Top 30 professional players in Tokyo. He released his 1st solo album "Hello Friends" in 2008. He delivered 70’s soul and Japanese flavor joints with guest artists like Steph Pockets (female MC from U.S),Tasia D'Mour (Tour vocalist of Reel People from UK), Lark Chillout (A.Y.B Force from Japan). This album blow a new wind in the scene. And it’s a big hit at CD shop and itunes music store for over a year.
“45 a.k.a. Swing-O”, is a session keyboardist, whose his 1st album is still selling big units. His much-anticipated 2nd album, entitled "THE REVENGE OF SOUL" was released on May 13, 2009. A highly respected session keyboardist, he has also has written and produced music for many successful artists, such notables as Kyoto Jazz Massive, & DJ KAWASAKI. He talked calmly and heartily about his second album, which featured special guests performances, by Stephanie McKay, & Ryan Shaw. “Swing –O” also revealed his personal feelings about his music, and how he deals with music in general.
DESTINATION MAGAZINE (DM): First off all, congratulation on your second album released. We definitely feel the “SOUL” from your music at this time around. It’s a very nice album. Please help us understand what it felt like during the recording process, and how does it feel now that the album is released.
45 a.k.a. SWING-O (45): I basically like BLACK MUSIC, but to me, I don’t think that my style is limited to only R&B, or only to CLUB JAZZ, such as my dear friend, Mr. Okino (Shuya Okino / Kyoto Jazz Massive), who is also in my immediate circle. At the time, all my work evolved according to the keyword “SOUL”. Right now, I think that most people, who think of an artist as a soul artist, would think that they are traditionally only from the United States, But on this album I wanted to give the world a taste of my unique flavor, and let them know that this kind of soul music, can come from a Japanese creator as well. I also wanted to dedicate this album, and show the world how much soul music has inspired me. That’s why the concept of this album, was to feature select American artist. Actually, the first concept of the album was supposed to be “worldwide underground” collaboration, with a touch of soul, then I noticed that I collaborated artists were almost American artists. So I changed the concept a little to focus on dedicate soul music. And I think downloaded music or single cut music are mainstream style now, but I want to make a good album as whole one album. And I am always consciousness about my music’s concept.
(DM): Please let us know about how this Album was different from first album.
(45): I wanted to base my album around the vocals this time. And I also thought, that if I could add a Hip Hop feel to the songs, then I can show a good view of my music to the world. Also, the feel of my first album was like a collection of singles, so that’s why I wanted to make a album that has conceptual and can listen as whole album. That is what differentiates my current Album with first one.
(DM): Your collaborations seem to represented your view of what the present state of SOUL MUSIC is all about. I noticed that you chose to feature artist such as Stephanie McKay, Ryan Shaw, Jimmy Abney, etc. and you also collaborated with Mr. Bulljun, who is very famous in the Japanese HIP HOP circles. You even collaborated with wide variety of other artists, for example the TAP dancer, Mr. SUJI TAP. Could you please let us know how you were able to get them collaborate with you.
(45): I simply felt good vibes when I listened to their music, I knew that Stephanie McKay, Ryan Shaw, Jimmy Abney. I knew that Stephanie McKay had a FUNK music flavor album. But I wanted her to sing differently, more like a FREE SOUL type of vocal style, and I thought that is collaboration would be a good match with her song. I also just wanted for us to try to be different from the style that she had already done.
Also I knew that Ryan Shaw’s other album has a touch of the 60’s SOUL music style. But I wanted him to sing a different style, more like an urban mellow styled song. Plus, when I sent him my track, he liked it, so we were able to collaborate together.
As for working with Bulljun, I was introduced to him by LARK (A.Y.B FORCE), who is also another artist that I collaborated with. It is a common thing to collaborate with an MC and a producer/ beat maker. However. It’s not that common for two producers to collaborate with both of each other. So I thought that it would be interesting, and I just knew working together was gonna be good. At first, Bulljun made me a BEAT, and then I wrote a song to it.
While working as a pianist, I had previously collaborated with Mr. SUJI ,who is also a guest for this album. He is a one of Japan’s best Tap dancers. He had been trying to make some groovy music as a Tap artist. So of course, we included the Tap solo in the collaborated song. So some of the sounds that were heard in the song, like the drum’s kick and snare sounds, were actually made by Mr. SUJI’s tap shoes. Those sounds were the boot’s sound. I designed this album that way, so that I could show how do I involving these collaborated artists.
(DM): Mr. Shuya Okino song, “I BELIVE” feat. Stephanie Mckay, has already begun to received heavy rotation. That track sets the lead image for this album. And it also showcases your style as well. For this song, what kind of an impression do you have about this song, now that it has been released?
(45): When I thought of working with Stephanie Mackay, I wanted her to sing something different, something like a fresh song. So I tried to write the song and play piano at the same time. But instead, I just wrote the song in a quick stretch. I also didn’t want to finish the song with only the fresh vocals, so I added a solo to the outro, just like Weldon Irvine style.
(DM): This is my personal impression though, I listened avidly to your instrumental tracks. Especially Motown flavors [Sweet Sweet Pt.2] and Boogaloo style [Que Cheverel!] are the most impressive songs for me. How these songs different process from the other one? And what did influence you when you make music?
(45): I basically listen any kind of BLACK MUSIC. And I think Boogaloo got a style having LATIN flavor and SOUL flavor. More simply put, I thought Donny Hathaway’s The ghetto that was collaborate with Leroy Hutson is Donny’s version Boogalo. I followed that image. But my album’s tame was 70’s SOUL, then I thought that I don’t think only FREE SOUL and FUNKY style music are real meaning 70’s SOUL. So I wrote a touch of LATIN song to make sure completely real funky 70’s color. That’s the reason why I chose Boogaloo. Moreover, I intended that I wanted make the song like old school soul song’s instrumental cover.
(DM): Your album had consistent vision of “SOUL”, however I also felt a lot of flavor such as “JAZZ” “HIO HOP”, “LATIN”, “afro” and “Boogaloo” from your album. What kind of thing did you consider for this time?
(45): I chose the keyword “SOUL” for showing what I wanted. So, It was already decided to mix a lot of flavor at the time. And I also used these flavors “SOUL”, “JAZZ”,”HIOHOP” to complete as whole album.
(DM): You have written and produced music for many successful artists, such as Kyoto Jazz Massive, DJ KAWASAKI, ROOOT SOUL, etc. and working as tour keyboardist. Please let us know about how different and what do you think when you working as 45.
(45): I am thinking-over actually, because I used to support many artists a little unscrupulously. So, now I decided to change work for my own mainly. Among them, I think it is possible to let have the keyword “SOUL” such as Kyoto Jazz Massive, DJ KAWASAKI, ROOOT SOUL, etc. That’s why I collaborating them. For me, I think I’m multi talented keyboardist. So I’m planning to work with this keyword “SOUL” from now.
(DM): You have been introducing some artist’s music and commenting in your blog. However I think it’s uncommon to see it. Please let us know what kind of opinion do you have.
(45): When the “origami PRODUCTION” decided to update our blog periodically, I thought what’s the good way to writing. And I realized and decided to write like that. I originally like digging music. At times, I’m researching some data and some records to cooperate in writing blog based on articles. But I think it has the pleasure of digging music, and I also would love to tell about pleasure of listening music as a listener. I put message for myself. When I create something, I think it is possible to make future if learning from history. In that sense, it’s important to “dig” for many things as not only music. And I never forget that spirit!
(DM): What kind of artist are you keeping an eye on recently?
(45): It’s not an artist thought, I’m keeping an eye on the series “Inspiration Information”. It had already released series 3, and I’m thinking about what’s next series4, and5. And I wish I could be chosen by that series one day. At the individually, I’m going to think about to dig some artists who are not from America and Europe for my next album. I want to put an image like it is able to make such a Soulful album without American artist. Now I’m digging Ethiopian JAZZ and music from Mali. And I found out from one of a 70's Israel community's compilation album that has “FREE SOUL” flavor. And I thought that reason why Israel is English-speaking country. It’s not only Europe and Japan that influenced from United States. And there are many interesting artists influenced from America, so I’m going to find out them for my next music steps.
(DM): Please let us know about your “all time favorite music”. And what kind of artist had inspired you?
(45): I wrote about “Digable Planets” on my blog a few times. And of course “ACID JAZZ”, and “Shibuya-Kei”(Shibuya-style). “ORIGINAL LOVE” inspired me a lot. They proved the thing of making JAZZ to good “FUNKY, DANCE MUSIC” as an approach from Japanese. And that was my starting point. I used to followed Hit chart a lot, so I used to always check “BEST HIT USA”
(DM): Please tell us about your schedule and a vision for the future.
(45): I have a gig on July 4, 2009. Named “La Verdad” At organ bar. I would love many people to listen to my CD as 45. But I also would love to come and see my keyboard play as musician. And some of sounds that were heard in the CD, like the sampled sounds were actually made with play. So Please come to feel and enjoy my live performance. I’m planning to put a lot of effort into live performance so please check and backup, thank you.
(DM): We are expecting it of your activity in the future. Thank you very much.
This EP marks a step into the forefront; a milestone from fear of scrutiny or failure. Produced entirely alongside my crew, Miami Beat Wave, it symbolizes a journey beginning with a leap of faith, and resulting in a compilation of work that embodies a year's worth of collaborative effort, struggle, and sacrifice.
These songs are heart and soul, mixed in with a little ingenuity and a lot of creative influence. On behalf of myself and MBW, we present the Leap Year EP. - St. LaRok
RESPECT IN EVERY ASPECT..YOU ARE APPRECIATED........BLESSINGS IN ABUNDANCE..STAY EVER BLESSED AND NEVER STRESSED..CONTINUE TO SHINE LIKE THE STAR THAT YOU ARE....ONE LOVE UNTIL TIME STANDS STILL... CIAO CIAO SOLID! STRAIGHT! SAFE! BLESS!
glad to have you as my friend thanks for join my friends on myspace your music sound grate so keep up the grate work. and god bless and have a grate new year in 2010.from your friend roger D.
Hi 45 a.k.a. SWING-O Just giving you heads up on our new release '1 of a Kind' out NOW on beatport. Dubstep & breaks mixes! (preview on our player) Have a bass heavy week respect Chimera x
