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A R E Y O U . . . A F R O S I C K ?
A numbing sensation of the senses when listenening to most chart 'pop' music.Feelings of 'deja vu' when encountering a 'new' music trend. Panic attacks when considering exactly what is 'world music'. A sinking feeling when looking at the sales figures for the soundtrack to Titanic (often accompanied by a feeling of nausea).

If you answered yes to any of the above, Japanese musician MIYAZAWA has concocted a new treatment. He's taken various musical ingredients native to Brazil, then with an expert touch and insight combined them in unique quantities whilst adding his own spices to prepare a musical remedy titled AFROSICK. The first thing you may notice is a desire to repeat the treatment of listening to the album. For some this can be a concern, (especially for those who have never previously engaged the repeat button on their CD player), but this will be a quite natural first reaction. On repeated listens you are likely to discover more and more elements that at first escaped you. At the early stage of the recovery process your feet will be prone to large bouts of tapping. This is largely because MIYAZAWA recorded AFROSICK entirely in Brazil with an all star cast of Brazilian musicians, who are as skilful as the country's soccer players.

The rhythm is largely provided by MARCOS SUZANO, whose deftness on the pandeiro, a Brazilian tambourine, means he is able to provide an almost drum-machine like rhythm throughout. Suzano also plays a variety of other percussion instruments, that gives the music the rolling power of a steam train. Other guests include LENINE, an extraordinary vocalist and guitarist and FERNANDO MOURA on keyboards. Another key contributor to AFROSICK is dynamic performer CARLINHOS BROWN. As leader of TIMBALADA, Brown is one of Brazil's most revered musicians, and one of the country's biggest musical exports. He has also penned songs for other Brazilian musicians such as Marise Monte. AFROSICK contributing bassist DENGUE and drummer PUPILO are both members of Nacao Zumbi, the band of the recently deceased Chico Science. EDUARDO BID, co-producer of several tracks on AFROSICK also produced Chico Science and Nacao Zumbia, while Nacao Zumbi's fans now include UK drum 'n' bass merchant Goldie, whose remixes will appear on their new album.
Although at first it's the rhythm on AFROSICK that will get your feet moving, soon the songs will begin to penetrate your soul, a feeling that you will find both soothing and uplifting. MIYAZAWA is first and foremost one of Japan's premier songwriters, creating melodies, hook lines, and phrases that will remain in your head, but without any annoying side effects. It's this combination of melodies with a Japanese essence, backed by the energy of the new Brazilian generation that makes AFROSICK such a compelling listen.

Having been cured and experiencing a state of bliss that is AFROSICK, we recommend further rehabilitation with MIYAZAWA's first solo album SIXTEENTH MOON. This was recorded in London with producer HUGH PADGHAM, whose production credits include The Police and Sting. Sixteenth Moon has a simpler sound, alluring melodies surrounded with the acoustic guitar of DOMINIC MILLER (Sting) layers of keyboard textures provided by PAUL 'WIX' WICKENS (Paul McCartney) and the drums of MANU KATCH(Sting, Peter Gabriel).

After listening to both albums your treatment will be complete.

Text by Paul Fisher


KAZUFUMI MIYAZAWA

FORMED THE BOOM WITH 3 OTHER MUSICIANS IN 1986. RECORDED FIRST SINGLE IN 1989 (SONY RECORDS), INFLUENCED AT FIRST BY POST-PUNK GENERATION IN UK, WITH A SKA / ROCK SOUND. FUSED OKINAWAN FOLK MUSIC ON HIT SINGLE 'SHIMA UTA' IN 1993, WHICH SOLD 1.5 MILLION COPIES, A LANDMARK RECORDING IN JAPANESE MUSIC. ENCOMPASSED INDONESIAN SOUNDS ON ALBUM 'FACELESS MAN' IN 1993, AND RECORDED MINI-ALBUM WITH JAMAICAN REGGAE STAR YAMI BOLO IN 1994. 6TH ALBUM 'FAR EAST SAMBA' IN 1994 BLENDED BRAZILIAN RHYTHMS WITH POP AND ROCK, SINGLE 'KAZE NI NARITAI' A MAJOR SUMMER HIT. TOURED IN BRAZIL TO SUPPORT BRAZILIAN RELEASE OF FAR EAST SAMBA. 1996 ALBUM TROPICALISM A RADICAL MIX OF ALL STYLES, INDONESIAN, BRAZILIAN, CUBAN, REGGAE, FUNK. 1997 PLAYED SHOWCASE AT MIDEM CANNES, FRANCE AND IN THE SUMMER AT TUBINGEN FESTIVAL GERMANY AND MONTREAUX JAZZ FESTIVAL SWITZERLAND. 1998 RELEASES TWO SOLO ALBUMS.
You can see more information about MIYAZAWA and The Boom and listen small sound data from The Boom's English Page.
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