Hiroshima

Text-Only Version

Last updated: 2024-09-04 22:57:11 -0700

The Music of Hiroshima

Notes:

* = Vocal Track

+ = Personal favorite

Album names link to the graphical website-version of the album info,which includes an mage of the album cover

The Golden Age (1976)

This album is a "mystery" album; no one I've talked to is aware of any details of this project, except that it does, apparently, exist. It is out of print and no information about its covert art, song list, or album credits can be found online. I personally understand it to be (potentially) the soundtrack to the 1976 documentary "Cruisin' J-Town" by [Dr.] Duane Kubo. I have tried to reach out to Dr. Kubo multiple times (at DeAnza College) to confirm this, but, as of 2024-09-04 22:57:11 -0700, he has yet to respond to my messages.

Track #01
Track #02
Track #03
…

Hiroshima (1979)

This is the band's first fully commercial release, which spawned the hit "Roomful of Mirrors."

This album's spelling of "Da-Da" does not stay consistent across the multiple albums it appears on.

Odori (1980)

This album contains the track Odori [踊り] which is usually performed with choreography, featuring a beautiful, traditional fan dance.

"Crusin' J-Town" was re-recorded for J-Town Beat (2013). It was the title track for the documentary (of the same name) written by Dr. Duane Kubo and featured: Dan Kuramoto, June Kuramoto, and founding member (and taiko master) Johnny Mori. The soundtrack might be [ here].

Third Generation (1983)

"San Say" is a play-on-words on the Japanese word sansei [三世], which means "third generation Japanese-American" (second generation to be born in-country, as issei [一世] (first generation) persons are Japanese-born).

The kanji 三 means the number three. Japanese calligraphy, as beautiful as it is, can be easily mistaken or misread. In this case, it could be seen as "え" (the hiragana syllable "E" pronounced as "eh"). It's not, though.

Another Place (1985)

This album produced the cross-over hit "One Wish," which became well-known on the Smooth Jazz and Top 100 charts. One Wish received daily air play on Los Angeles local radio station KTWV-FM 94.7 until a format change in 2016. Many people (including me!) were introduced to Hiroshima by way of One Wish, but not Hiroshima's version. British Synthesizer master Paul Hardcastle remixed One Wish, embellishing the theme of the song on synthesizer. This version received Top 40 air time. A communication issue with Epic Records prevented the band from having any input on Hardcastle's version before its release.

Go (1987)

This song features a song called "Obon" (track #05). This is the celebration and rememberance of those who have recently died. In particular, this "holiday" has special meaning the first time after the death of a loved one (known as Hatsubon, or "First [o]bon"). The band would produce another song by the same name, then rename it to "Obon Two-Five" which was released on the album Obon (2005).

Ongaku (1988)

This compilation album combines songs from the first two albums: Hiroshima (1979) and Odori (1980).

East (1989)

"Thousand Cranes" honors Sadako Sasaki [佐々木禎子], a three year old child living in the city of Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped. Although she lived for another eight years, she ultimately died of related radiation sickness. During her fight to stay alive, a fellow bomb survivor told her of the old legend of the origami cranes: fold 1,000 of them and your wish will be granted. While she did complete the 1,000 (her surviving brother claims she completed 1,400), she ultimately died at age 12. This song was written in rememberance of her and her story. After I personally visited Hiroshima's Peace Park (including the Children's Memorial ) in 2005, June Kuramoto & I spoke about the importance of re-telling Sadako's story.

This album was also the "soundtrack" for the play "sansei [三世]" which was performed at the Mark Taper Forum, and, (obviously) featured the music of Hiroshima.

This album features the vocals of Margaret "Machun" Sasaki-Taylor (this was her only album with the band).

Providence (1992)

This album features a tribute to Miles Davis ("Time on the Nile"), with whom the band toured (opened for) in 1990.

This album features Jeanette Clinger on vocals (her only album with the band).

Best of Hiroshima (1994)

This is the only one of a few albums that is 100% instrumental tracks, the others (so far): Little Tokyo (2007), The Way of Tea (2005), & Under the Stars (2009).

"Hawaiian Electric" was written for a TV commercial for a local power company in Hawai`i. June was also in the commercial itself.

L.A. (1994)

Vocals for this album were provided by Teri Koide (her only album contribution).

Urban World Music (1996)

Between Black & White (1999)

This album only has one vocal track. "The Door Is Open," which features the first lead vocal by Dr. Terry Steele. It signifies the beginning of a long relationship between him and Hiroshima. This song is also the standard first-vocal song performed at concerts (and the song that Doctor Steele is introduced with).

Track #02 (Dreams) features Karen Hwa-Chee Han on Er-Hu [二胡].

The Bridge (2003)

This was the first of several albums produced and released on Heads Up Records (the first not released on a major record label).

The "bridge" in question is the First Street bridge over the Los Angeles River, just east of Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles.

"Another Wish" is a follow-up, thematically, to "One Wish" from the album Another Place.

Sanju (properly, Sanjuu) is a "30th anniversary" song for (to) the band itself; it translates to the number "30." This refers to the band's formation (going back to 1974, making 2003 the 30th year of the band being together).

Manzanar is the name of one of the most well-known Japanese-American internment camps. Located in central California, it is the destination for yearly pilgrimages by Japanese-Americans. Through various means, the condition of the camp is maintained [close] to its WWII condition, similar to the 原爆ドーム (Gembaku Dome) in Hiroshima, Japan.

The "Seven Rivers" in question are the seven original rivers that flowed through the City of Hiroshima, Japan. Just before WWII, two of the rivers were merged, leaving only six rivers in the current geographical layout. Originally, band leader Dan Kuramoto knew of seven rivers (but maps only show six, currently), so he decided that the "seventh" would refer to a "mystical" river, a metaphorical river representing several things. It wasn't until a short time later that someone showed Dan an old map of the city, revealing the true seventh river.

Spirit of the Season (2004)

This is a Christmas-themed album featuring Terry Steele. Many of these songs are performed at Hiroshima's annual Spirit of the Season concerts (usually at the JACCC, debuted at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano c. 2003). Personal note: hearing "Rudolph" played on koto is amazing the first time you hear it! Additionally, the band donated versions of two of these songs: Windham Hill: Jazz Noel (1999) ("Spirit of the Season") and Windham Hill: A Jazz Christmas (1998) ("Silent Night").

Obon (2005)

This album is also an all-instrumental album.

The song "Obon Two-Five" is thusly named because they already had a song named "Obon" on the album Go (1987)

This album marks the completion of 25 years of recording for the band (1979-2005)

"Kototsu-Han (Sankyoku)" means:

Koto [琴]
Tsu (from Tsutsumi Drum) [つ]
Han (Guest Karen Han's family name) [韩]
Sankyoku (three melodies) [三曲]
Guest artist Karen Hwa-Chee Han plays the Er-Hu [二胡]. Percussion master Kenny Endo plays the Tsutsumi drum [つつみ鼓].

Little Tokyo (2007)

This album is also an all-instrumental album. Quan Yin [觀音] refers to the Chinese Buddhist Bodhisattva (or Goddess) of Compassion, Mercy, and Kindness; it features Ms. Karen Hwa-Chee Han on the Er-Hu [二胡].

Legacy (2009)

This album is a "re-visit" of the band's favorite songs from their first 10 years of recording. This album was "recorded live" at the Tofuville Studio. And, yes, the spelling of "Da-Da" changed here (and on future albums).

Departure (2011)

This album was believed to be the band's "swan song" and, indeed, signaled an upcoming halting-point (a temporary production and touring break) for the band's musical production. The break didn't happen until after the album Songs with Words, but the discussions were already beginning.

J-Town Beat (2013)

This album features "Cruisin' J-Town," a re-recording of the same song from the Odori album. This song was also the name of a 1976 documentary, which featured Hiroshima members Dan Kuramoto, June Kuramoto, and taiko master and then-member Johnny Mori; it was produced by Dr. Duane Kubo. The soundtrack may perhaps be The Golden Age (1976) (unconfirmed).

Songs with Words (2015)

This is the only album that features all vocal tracks, sung by Terry Steele and Yvette Nii.

The spelling of Da Da changed again.

This album became the stopping-point for the band, professionally. Citing (what I'll describe as) "burn-out," the band decided to take a break from song-writing and touring. This "break" would last until 2017, when they began touring again (on the east coast of the United States). They also announced that they were stepping into the studio once again. According to a blog post by Dan Kuramoto, the break allowed for fresh ideas to come-forth (and a chance to catch-up on all the other things that were put-aside due to the band's professional schedule).

2020 (2021)

This album is considered the band's "40th touring anniversary" album; the 2022 tour (postponed from 2020) supports the release

The album is all instrumental

The name "2020" comes from the fact that (1) they have been touring for 40+ years (1979-2019), (2) the "hindsight is 20/20" cliché, referring to the band looking-back at their many years together

The album was released on 2021-09-13, a year later than planned (due to Covid-19). Tracks #1 (Someday Soon) and #6 (Groove Latino) were released as singles (and had air play) prior to the album's release

This is the first album that Danny Yamamoto did not play drum set. In 2019, after a personal tragedy, he went on a personal "self-discovery" mission. After being asked by the band to try something new, he shifted to Taiko [太鼓] and other percussion, while long-time guest artist Land Richards became the new (permanent) set drummer.

While the band essentially "came out of retirement" to produce this album, band leader stated in an interview (with radio jazz D.J. Pat Prescott) that the band will stop touring when they feel "it's time." Additionally, they have no plans for a "farewell tour" when that decision is made; Dan indicated that it was too … cliché (my word).

This will likely be the band's last album. On 2023-02-24, I noted a blog entry from June stating: as her Koto is now nearly fifty years old (and she's been playing Koto for a total of SEVENTY years), it's time to retire both the Koto and herself, to rest and heal.

☹

June Okida Kuramoto Projects

Spirit And Soul (2002)

This is the first of (so-far) three solo albums by koto master June Kuramoto, the others being: The Way of Tea (2005) and Under the Stars (2009).

(精神と魂せいしんとたましい ) which literally means: SPIRIT, AND, SOUL.

Many of the tracks have a story behind them; I'll add those here when I have a chance to refresh my memory with June herself

"Heaven And Earth" features vocals by Kimaya Seward

"Two Sisters" features Karen Hwa-Chee Han on the Er-Hu Er-Hu [二胡]. The "Two Sisters" refers to the two countries: Japan (represented by the Koto) and China (represented by the Er-Hu).

Through the Streets of Gion [祇園] is June's commentary and appreciation of the (true) traditional geisha [芸者], which tranlates to art (fine arts) [芸], and person [者] (meaning "artisan"). According to June, she feels that the geisha have gotten, and I quote:

"a bad rap."

Thus, she wrote this song to show her appreciation of the art form. Particularly, the song presents an audio depicition of the geisha literally in-procession "through the streets of Gion," an old artisan district in Kyoto [京都], Japan.

The Way of Tea (2005)

This album features a collaboration with Derek Nakamoto

All tracks are instrumental

"With Heart" is June's dedication to the story (and memory) of Sadako Sasaki [佐々木禎子]. See the Sadako & the Thousand Cranes page for more details on her story. I had a chance to speak with June about this song (and the Sadako story) just after returning from my trip to Tokyo & Hiroshima, Japan in March, 2005. We talked about this song when I saw the band live at Thornton Winery (c. late June), a few months before the album were released.

Track #08, wabi [侘], refers to a Japanese Buddhist term reflecting the perceived "perfection" found in everyday imperfections. Wabi (part of the sentiment of wabi-sabi [侘寂]) celebrates the transience and imperfection of our human existence. [Thanks to Orange County Buddhist Church Minister's Assistant Ron Taber for the background information on this topic.]

Under the Stars (2009)

All songs are instrumental tracks.

Farah Baksh means "Bestower of Pleasure" and may refer to a monument at the Shalimar Gardens in Pakistan.

Kimo Cornwell Projects

Hawai`i State of Mind (2018)

This is Kimo Cornwell's debut CD

This album was officially debuted at The Blue Note Hawai`i (Honolulu, HI) on 2018-04-26

This CD's title has nothing to do with the song from the album J-Town Beat (2013)