Product Description
Slim jewel case with single page insert.
1. Kokiriko 05:10
2. Kaigara Kogi 07:26
3. Vallis Fluminum 14:04
4. Kat Onoma 05:13
5. Mushin 06:40
6. The Rescue 17:48
"Some kind of Nippon-Gnawa-BitchesBrew-ECM WorldFusion !"
NAWA, a unique take on world fusion, is the fortuitous and ephemeral gathering of three string instrumentalists from Okinawa. They all come from a very different background.
Toshi Tsushima, voice and guembri, has a deep and authentic understanding of Gnawa culture. He also brought some Japanese folk songs on two tracks.
Yoshi Onaga, koto, is a specialist of Japanese koto and Ryuukyuu court music.
Paul Mahoux, the guitarist, percussionist, arranger and producer of this album, is coming from Jazz, Ambient and Groove backgrounds. Besides his original guitar playing he is also responsible for all the electronic flavors on this album.
The name NAWA, which means “rope” or “string” in Japanese, also suggests the names of Moroccan Gnawa culture and the Okinawa island. Due to several reasons, the main one being the Covid pandemic, the band's activities were interrupted before they could do a dedicated recording in a studio. So this album is actually rehearsal recordings, all of them being mainly improvised, with some further addition of percussion and electronics.
The happy result is that not only is this combination of instruments very unique, but the music itself is very fresh and dynamic.
NAWA , a very distinctive sound.
TOSHI TSUSHIMA : VOICE, GUEMBRI, KRAKEBS
YOSHI ÔNAGA : KOTO, GRANULAR KOTO
PAUL MAHOUX : OCTAVER GUITAR, PROGRAMMING, PERCUSSION
