Sadao China / Akahana (12")

"Akabana" is the mainland debut album released in 1978 by Sadao China, the pioneer who popularized Okinawan music around the world .

A reissue has finally been decided this year, marking the 50th anniversary of Japan's return to Japan!

This innovative piece of Okinawan pop subtly blends the essence of reggae, soul, and rock with a base of island songs, creating a relaxed and unique vibration that is comfortable to listen to.

This valuable masterpiece, which includes many original songs such as the Ne-Nes' hit songs "Bye Bye Okinawa," "Akabana," and "Kijimunna Blues," produced by Naoto Sadao in the 1990s, is finally being reissued this year, marking the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's return to Japan !

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[Comment on the re-release of Akabana]

The year was 1978. Six years had passed since Okinawa Prefecture was returned to Japan .

After Okinawa's reversion to Japan, young people in Okinawa became centrally oriented, and their eyes were drawn to the glittering city of Tokyo. At the time, I felt a sense of crisis that Okinawa would be forgotten. I remember many nights spent talking about this with my fellow musicians.

In order to once again convey the wonders of Okinawa to young people in Okinawa, we decided that the first priority was to spread Okinawan music from Tokyo, so we decided to make our debut on the mainland and release this album, "Akabana."

This recording was originally planned as a record of Okinawan folk songs, but when "Bye Bye Okinawa" was added to the demo tape, it was well received, and the plan was successfully changed to an "original album."

Okinawan music is full of pop music to begin with. I wanted to convey that in an easy-to-understand way, so I made the words and melodies more pop, rock, and soulful. Furthermore, the arrangers and musicians were all top-notch, so the performance was fantastic.

My encounter with reggae was also fateful. I was shocked when I first encountered reggae music at a Bob Marley concert, and the rhythm was such that it allowed me to sing Okinawan folk songs as they were. This was an event that allowed me to rediscover and appreciate the beauty of Okinawan music. I immediately incorporated it into my song "Bye Bye Okinawa," and from then on I would use that rhythm frequently in bands like Ne-Nes.

Akabana , released in 1978 , was a message to young people asking them to rediscover Okinawa, but it also has great significance as a new beginning for me, or rather, as a starting point.

Take this opportunity to listen to the origins of "Okinawan pop based on island songs" that is still passed down to Ne-Nes today.

Sadao China

Tracklist

Side A

1. Yoafigwar

2. Kugaribushi

3. Jintoyo Waltz

4. Usaganna

5. Bye Bye Okinawa

Side B

1. Akabanana (red flower)

2. Jealousy

3. Shirase Hashikawa

4. Kijimuna Blues

5. The Sea of ​​Nirai

Product information

[12-inch vinyl / 33 rpm]
Product code: TBV-0030
Released by TUFF VINYL

Release date: 2022.07.27