That’s what we had in mind when we launched this project, “The Heartbeat Laboratories.”

Even though many people know taiko from the music that accompanies Japanese festivals, and modern taiko performances, I think only a small number of people have heard the everyday sound of taiko.

For most Japanese people, taiko isn’t an everyday instrument.
I think that’s because people have stereotypes about taiko that they can’t push aside.

There’s “Japanese style background music,” which uses taiko and Japanese instruments. Many people think it only suits a particular type of scene, right?

In order to overturn that notion, we have to share a completely new genre of taiko music.

We can do that by not sticking to taiko alone, but by including Western instruments and electric instruments, and exploring a new ensemble beyond the limits of every type of music.

Some people may say, “That’s not taiko.”

To which I say, what do you think “taiko” is then?

For example, is it something composed in the Edo Period? Heian Period? Jomon Period?

Are you saying it’s taiko if it was created at a certain time?

And Kodo’s original instruments—Hibiki, Shime-jishi, and Kanade—they are Japanese drums, so are they “taiko”?

If you think about these questions and more, I think you’ll notice that the concept of taiko is more vague than you might think.

In every era to date, instruments have been continually improved to create the sound and musicality we want to conjure.
It’s the same for all instruments, not just taiko.

If people restrict the possibilities for taiko, by jumping to conclusions based on the fixed image they have of this instrument, then taiko music has no future.

That said, if we become bound by a Western sense of music, then we can’t escape from being labeled “Japanese style background music” either.

All we can do is keep creating deep-rooted, avant-garde music with Kodo’s identity at the heart of our sound. If we do that, I believe it will lead us to find new possibilities for taiko music.

We’ve decided to release new music for everyone’s listening pleasure, as well as for creators across a range of genres to use in their own creative works.

We hope Kodo’s new music will be used in films and other video productions, commercials and installations.

We hope to make taiko music become more everyday music.

Kodo will continue to share new taiko music with the world. Watch this space!

We’ve just released two digital albums: Kodo “Alatane” Vol. 1 and Vol. 2!
Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music now!

The Heartbeat Laboratories
“Alatane” Vol. 1 & Vol. 2

Featuring: Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble

◆Spotify
“Alatane” Vol. 1
“Alatane” Vol. 2

◆Apple Music
“Alatane” Vol. 1
“Alatane” Vol. 2

◆Amazon Music
“Alatane” Vol. 1
“Alatane”Vol. 2 

Note: Kodo plans to make these available to creators later this year.

I hardly knew anything about Kodo before I joined, and for me “prism rhythm” is an album that broadened my understanding about taiko.
In particular, Sayagi-uta and Kuyurage are pieces that still inspire me.

Taiko as music. This is taiko music that will stand the test of time 100 years from now.
This album feels like a guide that Kodo’s senior members left for my generation.

Album | prism rhythm

↓Listen to sample tracks
https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/sicl10003_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_7.html

Hi, everyone! How are you doing?
I’m Issei Kohira, a member of the Kodo ensemble.
Each member is introducing a Kodo CD or DVD they recommend, and I’ve chosen “Kaden,” an album released in late 2016.

It features pieces mainly from three Kodo One Earth Tour productions: Eternity, Chaos, and Evolution.

Eternity featured compositions that depicted vivid scenes, while the music in Chaos emerged from blending taiko and drum kits—East and West. Evolution showed Kodo’s journey to date lead to the creation of new Kodo music. This album combines the best of these three works.

When I became a junior member four years ago, Chaos was my first tour with Kodo. And I took part in the recording of Arrive, Toki no Ma, and Kukai—all three Chaos pieces on the Kaden album.
I was so new to the ensemble that I didn’t know which way was up, down, left, right, forward, back, or otherwise. So I mostly recall being in a hurry to keep up. (lol)
But I also remember feeling happy that I was going to appear on one of Kodo’s albums as a performer.

Personally, I recommend the track Toki no Ma!
Why, you ask?
Because I have a six-second solo on it! (lol)
Please have a listen and see if you can find my solo! (lol)

As you can see, for me, this CD packed with memories.
If you already own it, I hope you’ll listen to it again after reading this blog. And if you don’t, I hope you’ll add it to your collection so you can experience and enjoy a range of new sides to Kodo’s music.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say I truly appreciate your kind support and words of encouragement over the past few months. I’ll keep working hard, preparing for the day Kodo can tour again.
Thank you, everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Album | Kaden

↓Listen to sample tracks

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/od018_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_82.html

]]> https://www.kodo.or.jp/en/kodo_blog_en/posts-by-member/26070 Wed, 17 Jun 2020 06:29:47 +0000 https://www.kodo.or.jp/?p=26070 Jumpei Nonaka (Junior Member)

When I was little, every year when my family went to Earth Celebration we would constantly play this album, Irodori, in our car. According to them, I would keep playing the title track over and over again! (lol)

Every time I listen to this CD, it brings back those memories of summer and makes me feel nostalgic. So I really love this album.

In fact, I still have and treasure that same CD we were listening on those trips!

Album | Irodori

↓Listen to sample tracks (Japanese webpage)

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/cscl1525_ja.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_97.html

]]> https://www.kodo.or.jp/en/kodo_blog_en/posts-by-member/26466 Wed, 24 Jun 2020 00:34:04 +0000 https://www.kodo.or.jp/?p=26466 Moe Niiyama

Here’s my recommendation: Heartbeat—Best of Kodo 25th Anniversary!
This album is filled with definitive Kodo pieces.

My dad has been a Kodo fan since way back, and he always had this CD playing in his car. When he drove me to and from taiko practices throughout my childhood, sometimes we’d hum along to the rhythms as we listened to this CD, and sometimes it got us talking about the future.

Even now that I have become a Kodo member, when I listen to this album it reminds of those times in my dad’s car. It’s left a lasting impression on me.

This CD transports me back to the start of my journey!

Album | Heartbeat—Best of Kodo 25th Anniversary

↓Listen to sample tracks

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/sicl155_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_6.html

The album I recommend is Mondo Head.

When I was a senior high school student, I listened to it almost everyday on my way to and from school. This album completed changed my definition of wadaiko (Japanese taiko drumming) and made me think “Wadaiko is music!” for the first time. That’s obvious to me now, and I credit Mondo Head for that redefining moment.

Mondo Head is a collaborative work with amazing percussionists from around the world. I can’t get enough of their approach to music, the range of their instruments, the freedom of their sound, and all that improv! Though it was recorded almost 20 years ago, it’s forever new.

If I ever hit a creative wall, I listen to this album and it reminds me of all the things we can do with taiko.

Two of my favorite tracks are Kashira and Daraijin.

Kashira because, well, that insane groove gets me every time! (lol)
I know Kodo’s played it on tour in the past. I want to play it, too!

And Daraijin because it drew me to tabla and its broad range of tones.

I want to create music that will still be good when I listen to it in 20 years time. Music that taiko players will envy 20 years from now!

Album | Mondo Head

↓Listen to sample tracks (Japanese webpage)

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/sicp1_ja.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_86.html

Mitsuru Ishizuka 

I recommend Kodo’s Akatsuki album and Honoka DVD!

Both of these were recorded in 2010–2011 as special works to commemorate Kodo’s 30th anniversary.

I remember that time as a really tough one.

The entire Kodo ensemble seemed to feel bound by the invisible shackles of its 30 years of history, which had an indescribable oppressiveness on us. And in early 2011, the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami struck. So it was also a period which made us question our reason for doing what we do.

At that complex time, I think each Kodo member was hanging in there, struggling to make it through by focusing on the fundamentals: taiko, their own playing, and the people waiting for Kodo’s tours and concerts.

That led to the emergence of an array of really simple, bold, powerful compositions, which were captured in these recordings.

Akatsuki and Honoka are both works that might feel rather rough, raw, and more rugged that Kodo’s previous works… I think that’s due to an overflow of all the energy we poured in. Our struggles added to our power, so I think that made the works interesting and well worth a listen. (lol)

I hope you’ll enjoy my picks!

Album | Akatsuki

↓Listen to sample tracks

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/od006_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_75.html

DVD | Honoka

↓Watch trailer

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/od007_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_68.html

Back when I was in elementary school, I went to sleep each night and woke up each morning listening to these two albums: tsutsumi and warabe.

That’s because I played them as I drifted off to sleep, and then played them again as soon as I woke up the next morning. (lol)

I seem to recall particularly liking the track Itsuka Mata…

These albums were released simultaneously, but the way they were recorded is different.

tsutsumi was recorded in a concert hall using one-point recording, which captured the groove and power of a live performance.
warabe was recorded in a studio, so you can enjoy the subtleties of sound crafted in that environment.

The piece I liked as a child, Itsuka Mata, is featured on both albums. So I think it’s fun to listen to and compare the two versions.

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration for me to say that I was brought up by these two albums. They brainwashed me (lol), telling me over and over to “Join Kodo!”

I hope you’ll listen to both of them!

Album | tsutsumi

↓Listen to sample tracks
https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/srcl4670_ja.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_87.html

Album | warabe

↓Listen to sample tracks

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/srcl4671_ja.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store (Japanese)
*English store listing coming soon!

http://store.kodo.or.jp/?pid=128516735

During my apprenticeship, I would listen to the recording of Chonlima from this compilation when I practiced.

I was determined to bridge the gap between my practice version and the version on this CD.  

The tempo, the nuances of the sound…

Come to think of it, I also practiced while listening to Miyake over and over.

When I listen to this CD, I think back to my apprentice days when I was training to become a member. I remember how hard I was practicing to sharpen my senses, what I had my sights set on, and how I was feeling.

This is an important collection to me, for now and for the future.

Album | Heartbeat—Best of Kodo 25th Anniversary

↓Listen to sample tracks

https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/sicl155_en.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store

http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_6.html

My recommendation is “Warabe.”
My seniors in my high school taiko club played Itsuka Mata (Until Next Time) and I thought it was a great song.
Then I found out it was on a CD, so I bought “Warabe.”

I started listening to it over and over every day.
The flow of tracks starting with Yokigen (Mirthful Mood), then Bird Island, Koro Koro (Round and Round), and leading in to Itsuka Mata (Until Next Time) is amazing.

Even today, listening to this CD gets me excited.
It shows that great music is timeless.

Album | warabe

↓Listen to sample tracks
https://www.kodo.or.jp/discography/srcl4671_ja.html

↓Buy at Kodo Online Store
http://kodo.shop.multilingualcart.com/goods_en_jpy_88.html