Obon

艺人/团体 : 广岛乐团 Hiroshima 专辑名称 : 盂兰盆节 Obon 专辑解说： 成立于1980年的广岛乐团，2005年正逢25周年的团庆。当录音计划正待决定时，突然的灵光一现，团员们一致认为这应该是一个向过去曾经影响他们深远的前辈乐手、意义非凡的事件与地点致敬的最佳时刻。因而专辑的标题就以佛教的“盂兰盆节”订名。佛教传入日本以后，每年7月15日的“中元节”到8月15日的“盂兰盆节”，在日本各地的祭典都融入许多佛教的教诲。其最重要的目的就是为纪念过往的先祖、朋友，慎终追远的意义非凡。\"Obon 25\"一曲中，东西合璧的音乐语汇，从节奏到旋律都让人激赏。而\"Paris\"与\"Pharoah\"两首乐曲却没有期待中的异国情调，他们以自己多年演奏的成熟风格奏出对巴黎与埃及法老的一种特殊情怀。而\"China Latina\"与\"Kototsu-han\"也是乐团道地的魅力演出。筝的运用为乐团的音乐灵魂重心，随兴加入的萨克斯风和各种东西方乐器，都融入一种美妙的音乐律动当中。 by Jonathan Widran Although the L.A.-based East-meets-West ensemble Hiroshima has achieved incredible success over the years -- including Emmy and Grammy nominations and over three million units sold -- it's one of the few bands that has always dared to defy easy commercial categorization. Aside from incorporating native Japanese elements like the koto (played masterfully by June Kuramoto) and booming taiko drum into the mix, Hiroshima has always embraced a subtle spiritual side. On the masterful, multi-faceted Obon, a release celebrating 25 years since its 1979 self-titled debut, these elements are more prominent than ever. Originating in Buddhist legend, the concept of Obon is a celebration of past and present, honoring ancestors and family and giving thanks for past blessings while looking boldly forward. The collection is a tribute to the musicians, places, and events that have inspired the band -- which, for the first time in its career, is working without a vocalist. Among these is Eddie Harris, a chief influence on band founder, saxman, and producer Dan Kuramoto -- who pays somewhat tonge-in-cheek homage to the legendary jazzman on the hypnotic opening number, "Swiss Ming," by merging his horn with a pitch shifter that lowers the register of the notes. Keyboardist Kimo Cornwell gets a chops workout on this track and other ultra-jazzy gems like "The Lighthouse," a tribute to a legendary Los Angeles area jazz club. "Atomic Café," which blends R&B, jazz, koto, and cool DJ scratches, was a place for "the best noodles in town" in L.A.'s Japantown. "Pharoah" acknowledges the legendary Mr. Sanders and other jazz legends who shaped Kuramoto's visions early on. Fans seeking purer Asian delights can turn to "Kototsu-han (San Kyoku)," a dreamy number that blends the koto with the vocal-like wail of the Chinese er-hu. Band newcomer Shoji Kameda is aces on the taiko, adding an ominous percussive energy to "Obon Two-Five," a richly textured track that captures all the best elements that have made Hiroshima so fascinating for so many years.