Track Listing > >
Topattumi / Gaire Na bPaisti / Our Children Are Laughing / Kai Kai As To
Ni Liom Fein / Osoro Raha (Mokoro Mokoro) / Haon Do / Kent Hakka Tufse
/ Last Mile Home
KILA RECORDS
If the thought of a collaboration between traditional Irish musicians Kila and Ainu Tankori player Oki is a less than mouth watering proposition, even the briefest listen to KILA & OKI, an album that marks the coming together of these musicians should be enough to convert you to their cause. Proof that music is a world wide language, this convergence of traditional Celtic and northern Japanese sounds marks a wonderful and magical experience, a collection of music that transcends barriers like language and race.
Playing the Tankori, a 4/6 stringed instrument, Oki proves himself a starling musician here, weaving evocative melodicism and wringing sweeping emotion from the simplest of melodies, he provides the heart and soul of this record; his contribution to songs such as TOPATTUMI and OSORO RAHA (MOKORO MOKORO), a magical experience. Its the whole collaboration that provides the real sparks though, the gentle clashing of cultures resulting in music that is both unique and at times awe inspiring.
At times though, the results can prove a little less than inspiring, take KAON DO for example, a song that misses the mark somewhat; clumsy vocals and the unwelcome clatter of an electric guitar spoiling the gorgeous atmospherics found elsewhere on the album. Its with a song like KENT HAKKA TUFSE that Kila & Oki sound at their most relaxed and sublime, a gentle wash of beautiful melodies and laid back crooning. Climaxing with the blues shuffle of LAST MILE HOME, Kila & Oki end the album on a lilting highpoint, Ronan O Snodaigh and Oki sharing vocal duties and delivering a song that takes their collaboration to its wonderful conclusion.
KILA & OKI is an album that provides an uplifting and magical experience, a coming together of musicians intent on bringing together a set of songs rich in emotion, atmosphere and life.
BIOGRAPHY
Kila have brought their unique sounds to the World Music stage for over a decade. Now they are releasing an album of music recorded with friend and Ainu musician Oki. (Ainu - indigenous people of northern Japan)
The album KILA & OKI, is a mix of Irish and Ainu traditional music. It is a funky melodious journey between these two rich traditions, a wonderful fusion of two great musical talents. The result is an eight-track album in Irish, Ainu and English.
Oki plays the traditional Ainu instrument, the Tonkori, a 4/6 stringed instrument, and like Kila uses the traditional music of the Ainu to form the foundation of his music. Oki and members of Kila are holding press days on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th July.
Kila were introduced to Oki on stage during a tour of Japan in 2004. There was an instant connection between Oki and Kila frontman Ronan O Snodaigh that led to some exceptional music being played.
Last year the band were told to invite a musician of their choice to perform with them at the Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, they invited Oki. He came from Japan and the concert was a huge success. As a result of the concert they released the single TOG E GO BOG E and planned the recording of this album.
The album was recorded over 10 days at Kila's Kildare studio with producer Karl Odlum (Gemma Hayes, David Kitt, The Frames). Kila has been making music for 15 years and the band continue to push the boundaries in ever widening directions and this new collaborative effort with Oki is just one more twist.
Kila and Oki toured together in Japan, September 2006 with guest dancer Jean Butler (Riverdance).
LINE UP
Ronan O Snodaigh
Colm O Snodaigh
Dee Armstrong
Eoin Dillon
Brian Hogan
Lance Hogan
Rossa O Snodaigh
Oki
DISCOGRAPHY
KILA & OKI (Kila Records>2007)
Topattumi
Gaire Na bPaisti / Our Children Are Laughing
Kai Kai As To
Ni Liom Fein
Osoro Raha (Mokoro Mokoro)
Haon Do
Kent Hakka Tufse
Last Mile Home
LINKS
Kila>www.kila.ie
Review date: January 2007 |
