January 31, 2011

All ironomi albums available at Kitchen. Webshop

A full collection of all 6 ironomi titles are now available exclusively on Kitchen. Webshop. These hard to find albums from Japanese labels Ryoondo Tea and STARNET MUZIK are on sale for the first time outside of Japan, albeit in limited quantities. Do order fast if you are interested.

ironomi special at Kitchen. Webshop
- http://www.kitchen-label.com/webshop/?cat=31

January 28, 2011

ironomi live at TOKYO ELECTRONICA VOL.2

ironomi will be performing at Mado Lounge Spice (left pix) located on the 52th Floor of Roppongi Hills in Tokyo , on the 12th of Feb. Set against the panoramic view of the city, if you ever seen the film “Lost in Translation”, you might find this a familiar place.

TOKYO ELECTRONICA VOL.2

Live : ironomi, Firo
Venue : Mado Lounge Spice  (Roppongi)
Date : 2.12 (Saturday)
Time : 20:00

More information – http://www.ma-do.jp/schedule/?pf=detail&id=810&t=2

January 26, 2011

HANG cafe × haruka nakamura

■2.12 sat, 17:00

HANG cafe × haruka nakamura「窓辺」

Upcoming live performance at HANG cafe by haruka nakamura, joint by vocalist Janis crunch and violinist rie nemoto.

〒356-0091
埼玉県ふじみ野市亀久保1684-11
Booking : fujimino@hang-cafe.com

January 25, 2011

ironomi "sketch" reviewed on Autres Directions (France)

A wonderful review of ironomi “sketch” by Autres Directions from France. Thanks Jerome!

“The Sound Your Eyes Can Follow, chantait autrefois la vieille Europe. Sans un mot, le souffle du jour s’installe au piano. Lumières voilées, mémoires en fleurs – l’apparente inertie des beaux jours se capture en quelques notes. Le nouvel album du duo formé par Junya Yanagidaira et Yu Isobe s’écoute cependant autant qu’il se regarde. C’est un objet magnifique avant d’être un beau disque – le sens esthétique du label Kitchen est à ce titre plus que jamais une oasis pour les amateurs de belles choses. Mais Sketch est aussi une ébauche du temps qui passe, un poème dédié qui s’installe au plus calme du Japon. Ces formes évanescentes ne sont-elles pas en quête de pureté, d’innocence, de temps retrouvé ? Ainsi l’été passe, le vent frissonne et les oiseaux s’éveillent tandis qu’une foule de souvenirs ressurgit. Ironomi s’abrite sous les ombrelles. Musique impressionniste. Promenade délicate, attentive et raffinée. Sketch embrasse l’aube d’été et pianote le soleil jusque dans nos têtes.”

- http://www.autresdirections.net/spip.php?article1877

January 21, 2011

twilight reviewed on Fluid Radio (UK)

haruka nakamura’s “twilight” received a good review on UK’s Fluid Radio. Thanks Dan!

“Haruka Nakamura’s ‘Twilight,’ is an album full of grace. Intended to reflect the cooling light of dusk, the record contains a collection of pieces largely built for piano which stir a soothing and relaxed mood…

With undertones of jazz throughout, thanks to the intermittent waves of horn play from collaborators such as Araki Shin and Akira Uchida as well as a twinkling of percussion, ‘Twilight’ offers a welcome alternative to some other piano focused music which largely fall into the ever expanding categorisation of modern classical compositions.

Nakamura’s record is delicate, yet simple in its construction. We hear of gentle, colourful phrases through his piano which seamlessly capture the feel of a closing winter’s day. From the first few tracks on the album, images of bleeding sunsets, wafer thin clouds and foggy breath are stirred through a meshing of piano, flute and strings. On ‘Harmonie du Soir,’ horns and piano work with a sporadic march of drums. Here one can sense a day concluding as people silently traverse a city to return to their homes.

While these opening tracks do lend themselves to broader jazz roots thanks to the horns and Isao Saito’s sparkles of cymbals, listeners are also treated to some beautiful music that forms from strings and vocals. We hear a duet between violin and piano and listeners witness a heightened sensitivity from Nakamura.  These honest and welcoming compositions are ones that continue the homely construction found earlier in the album but illustrate a variety to Nakamura’s musical palette. Similarly on ‘Twilight’ one of two vocal tracks, April Lee sings over an acoustic guitar while blended recordings of children playing expand the sound, giving it a grander sense of the real world.

Having previously collaborated with fellow Japanese pianist, Akira Kosemura, ‘Twilight’ arrives as Nakamura’s second solo album. As with Kosemura and other native musicians such as Motohiro Nakashima, Nakamura’s Twilight represents another compelling addition to the burgeoning independent music scene in Japan. Available through the Kitchen. Label, ’Twilight’ will extend the warmth of a setting sun; easing listeners through even the darkest of nights.” - Review by Josh Atkin for Fluid Radio

-  http://www.fluid-radio.co.uk/2011/01/looking-back-haruka-nakamura-twilight/

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