Beyond (2004) by Agatsuma

The shamisen craze that has been sweeping Japan's youth for several years is on its way to becoming a global phenomenon.  Fusing the soul and softly plaintive twang of traditional Tsugaru-shamisen with an informed mastery of contemporary Western musical idioms, Agatsuma's US debut release in 2003, Beams, was a landmark in the East-meets-West appeal of the art form that the New York Post called "unusually exotic, yet familiar at the same time."

Agatsuma's latest work, Beyond, is comprised of wholly original material, and injects shamisen with elements of rock, funk, jazz, techno, urban and Latin grooves.  While modernizing the basics of the ancient genre for today's audiences, Agatsuma has said, "I am careful ...to not make the shamisen sound too much like the guitar but maintain its unique phrases and accents ...I try not to leave the basics behind."  That commitment is immediately apparent with Beyond, which both honors tradition and pushes the artistic envelope of shamisen.

Song List

01.  Dawnlight (Akatsuki no Hikari)
02.  A Paper in the Air (Kimi no Mai)
03.  An End of Sorrow (Kanashimi no Hate)
04.  Heartbeat (Kodo)
05.  Tears
06.  Shami's Groove
07.  Baetnorae / Tsugaru Yosare Bushi
08.  In the Sky
09.  Panther
10.  Thought of You (Kimi e no Omoi)