Just around three years ago, I was made aware of a stylish anime noir called "ODDTAXI" which had an appropriately stylish urban contemporary opening theme song by the partnership of musician Skirt（スカート）and hip-hop MC/trackmaker Punpee, I didn't add much more than that regarding either fellow.
As for the high-toned Skirt, he is originally Wataru Sawabe（澤部渡）from Tokyo who began his Skirt project in 2006 which has dove into regular J-Pop, guitar pop and City Pop. In 2020, he released a digital EP titled "Extended Vol.1" which includes a snazzy jazz-pop number called "Chikatetsu no Yureru Rhythm" (To the Swaying Rhythm of the Subway). I don't think that would entail any of our subways here in Toronto but I can certainly swing to this song as would Glenn Miller...wherever he is. Helping Skirt out is trumpeter Motoi Murakami（村上基）from funk band Zainichi Funk（在日ファンク）along with a battery of other fine brass musicians. A vinyl version of the EP came out just a few weeks ago.
I decided to make this article a two-for-one post because this second song is so short but also so sweet. "Special" is the title track from Skirt's May 2025 5th album as a major artist, and I gather that this happy tune would qualify as one of his guitar pop tunes. It's still got plenty of groove and swing in its arrangement and the only thing that I was disappointed about was the fact that it cut short so quickly.
I am pleasantly surprised at some new singer-performers. They aren't so cookie-cutter similar anymore (not that they ever were), but these bring their own style and look. Vaundy and now Skirt seem to be doing their own thing.
ReplyDeleteHello, Brian. Thank heavens that they aren't cookie-cutter. There is Vaundy, Skirt and also Tendre.
DeleteHey there. I've been following your blogs eversince esp on your wonderful writings of the 70/80s japanese songs. I'm a life-long japanese song listener since my teenage years back in the early 80s and up to now, I've 100s of those japanese oldies on my ipod. I really enjoy reading your comments on them. By the way, I live in Singapore. Nazim here, nice to know you, Sir.😌
ReplyDeleteHello, Nazim and thanks very kindly for your comments. Looks like you might be around my age and I'm happy to hear that you are also a kayo kyoku fan. Technologically, I think you're ahead of me; I've never owned an iPod but it's been good to have those old CDs and LPs. Keep on reading! :)
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