The band’s latest album, Ume in the Middle, features a fresh synthesis of east and west and innovation and tradition, that provides the context for On Ensemble to create a sound that blends Japanese drumming and more with electronica, hip-hop, and rock.

The quartet of Masato Baba, Kristofer Bergstrom, Shoji Kameda, and Kelvin Underwood creates music that consists of lush aural textures that glimmer with beautiful, overlaid melodies. Taiko drumming, throat singing, and ambient vocals provide a solid, organic foundation for phrases of yokobue, shamisen, koto, and even turntables to sprout from.

Ume in the Middle kicks off with “Yamasong”. The entrancing track that features Kameda’s throat singing pulls the listener into On Ensemble’s world right away. It introduces the mellifluous atmosphere that will float throughout the entire album. The percussion gradually builds and a surprisingly multifarious composition blossoms.

The album’s second track, “Hisashi” steps in an even more traditional direction. The serene yokobue creates a reverie that is simple yet sublime and the ending accompaniment adds a pleasant warmth.

“Waiting” kicks off with a reminder that On Ensemble isn’t just about Taiko or traditional Japanese music. The song features English-language lyrics sung while instruments dance atop a smooth beat and turntables flicker in and out. “Waiting” and it’s intruiging style introduces Ume in the Middle‘s truly inventive sequence. This succession, which includes tracks like “Hiroya vs. Miniboss”, “Butoh-bot Malfunction”, and “Silverback”, displays On Ensemble’s funky-cool odyssey into a style that is predominately modern yet sports dashes of traditional flavor and inspiration.

“After Rain” and “Bounce Back” flip the afformentioned formula upside down by maintaining a core that consists of traditional instrumentation — namely that of the yokobue — that’s met with some hip, modern flair.

The final track on Ume in the Middle brings things full circle with a remix of the leading track, “Yamasong”. “Yamasong (Campagna Remix)” takes the composition in a fresh direction and while the the orginal song is impressive as is, the Campagna Remix is very cool.

On Ensemble’s blend of new and old is striking, yet many tracks seem to lean more heavily in one direction or the other. The album amounts to a rather cohesive fusion of these elements but it would be nice to hear that amalgamation on a more individual track level.

On Ensemble makes traditional Japanese music even cooler than it already is and that makes it more approachable for listeners who aren’t very familiar with it. The masterful mix is also a breath of fresh air for fans of the traditional and fusion genres.

Watch a live performance of “After Rain”:

Check out “Yamasong” and more videos on YouTube. To learn more about On Ensemble, visit their official website. The band’s releases are availabe on iTunes and CD Baby.

Also posted on purple SKY

TAKE 5 Record’s first release is a compilation titled 独り・暗中 (hitori anchuu, alone in the dark). The compilation features 12 tracks by 12 bands and is something of a soundtrack for being alone in the dark. With the auditory sense seemingly heightened by a lack of vision, this release would be great to hear while lounging in an unlit room.

TAKE 5 aims to “offer a diverse selection of music, from your post-hardcore to your visual kei,” and Hitori Anchuu is a fitting manifestation of that goal. From bands like ISTRiA and R’AIE XIII to LOST and N.E.S., there’s something for Japanese and Asian rock fans of many persuasions.

Hitori Anchuu hits the internet shelves on April 8th and pre-orders start March 18th. The album costs $15 USD and with just 100 copies available through TAKE 5′s online store, the CDs should go fast.

The company that strives to “bring quality music from the far east at prices you can afford,” looks to be off to a great start.

The Tracklisting for Hitori Anchuu:

01. “The beginning of the end” – Asaguren (2:01)
02. “CULT” – ISTRiA (3:52)
03. “è¡€~裏罪” – R’AIE XIII (4:37)
04. “Angel Loves The Devil” – Shuriken (3:19)
05. “Pain of the words carved on my chest” – LOST (3:40)
06. “RANTAI” – LAPSE NADIR (4:34)
07. “thin line” – N.E.S. (4:37)
08. “RAIN” – WARPHOLL (3:49)
09. “CROSS OVER” – KUЯO (5:40)
10. “Forever I remember” – WHEN THE LEAF SEARED (3:43)
11. “Picture” – 渥美定義 (3:12)
12. “SILENCE” – STOЯYFLY (3:57)

Visit TAKE 5 Records’ official site for mp3 samples of 10 of the 12 tracks on Hitori Anchuu and pre-order the release on TAKE 5 Records’ official store.

TAKE 5 plans to release LOST’s upcoming new album next winter. Also, the young company is looking for volunteers and if any readers have suggestions for bands, you’re encouraged to contact TAKE 5.

This year’s Japan Nite Tour will ignite stages across the United States with some of Japan’s hottest indie acts. Running from March 20th to 29th, the featured bands will play shows in eight US cities. The tour kicks off March 20th & 21st at SXSW in Austin and concludes on the 29th at The Knitting Factory in L.A.

Although the line ups for each night can vary, the collective bill for the tour includes SPARTA LOCALS, detroit7, Dirty Old Men, GRAPEVINE, Stereopony, SA, FLiP, Omodaka, THE EMERALDS, HONEY SAC, Special Thanks, Asakusa Jinta, and quaff.

Here’s the detailed venues and line ups for each night of the Japan Nite US Tour 2009:

SXSW Music Festival
March 20 (Fri) Austin,TX @ Elysium
LINEUP: FLiP / Dirty Old Men / HONEY SAC / Sparta Locals / GRAPEVINE / detroit7

March 21 (Sat) Austin,TX @ Elysium
LINEUP: Stereopony / Special Thanks / The Emeralds / SA / Asakusa Jinta / quaff

The tour
March 22 (Sun) NEW YORK @ Bowery Ballroom
LINEUP: detroit7 / SA / SPARTA LOCALS / FLiP / Omodaka / GRAPEVINE / Asakusa Jinta

March 23 (Mon) Cambridge, MA @ T.T. The Bear’s
LINEUP: detroit7 / SA / SPARTA LOCALS / FLiP / Omodaka / THE EMERALDS

March 24 (Tue) CHICAGO @ Empty Bottle
LINEUP: detroit7 / SA / SPARTA LOCALS / FLiP / Omodaka

March 26 (Thu）DENVER @ Bluebird Theater
LINEUP: detroit7 / SA / SPARTA LOCALS / FLiP / Omodaka

March 27 (Fri) SEATTLE @ High Dive
LINEUP: detroit7 / SA / SPARTA LOCALS / FLiP / Omodaka

March 28 (Sat) SF @ Independent
LINEUP: detroit7 / SA / SPARTA LOCALS / FLiP / Omodaka

March 29 (Sun) LA @ Knitting Factory
LINEUP: detroit7 / SA / SPARTA LOCALS / FLiP / Omodaka

We knew the tour would stop in Denver and it was more recently announced that they’re coming to the Bluebird Theater. You know what that means? Well, probably not so I’ll say. *SparkPlugged will be there and if you’re in the area you should be too. If you’re within a couple hundred miles of any of the other tour stops, by all means go go go! If we can come out of exile for this one then surely you can skip work or hitchhike with strangers if need be — though we do not officially condone this behavior.

For more details on the Japan Nite US Tour 2009, check out the tour’s official site and MySpace page.

This is a perfect excuse to post the PV for “水のようだ” (Mizu no youda, like water) by SPARTA LOCALS. Enjoy: