Umeko Ando who sadly died in 2004 was an elder Ainu (native Japanese) women singer. She appeared as a guest on Oki's last album, himself of Ainu descent. This album was produced by and features Oki, with Ando's haunting voice accompanied by Oki's tonkori (a traditional Ainu stringed instrument). An atmospheric album of a tradition that was in danger of dying out that is both accessible and beautiful. Doesn't sound necessarily Japanese, perhaps not surprisingly more central Asian, the roots of the Ainu themselves. Highly recommended.
