ECDPOPO - ECDPOPO - Japan Vinyl 10inch Single Record

Credits:

Ecdpopo

Description:

We are reissuing the vinyl edition of “ECDPOPO,” which was originally released in 2010 and has since sold out. “ECDPOPO” is a collaborative work between rapper ECD—one of Japan’s pioneering hip-hop artists who passed away in 2018—and popo, a chamber ska band from Kobe. Since its release, as the world descended into chaos—first with the Great East Japan Earthquake and then the COVID-19 pandemic—sales of this album have actually increased. Even though 16 years have passed since its release, it continues to sell steadily and quietly, making it one of our label’s top long-selling titles; it has even come to feel like a classic. While the CD continues to sell today, the vinyl edition was pressed in limited quantities (as this was before the vinyl boom) and has been sold out for quite some time. Since we’ve received numerous requests for a vinyl reissue, we’ve decided to re-release it. Since the original master cylinder is no longer available, we’ve remastered the album to reflect the year 2026, and while retaining the original kraft paper case, we’ve updated the cover art with new silk-screen printing. This set was created as part of a 2010 live album project. The inspiration came from a statement in one of ECD’s writings: “After I got married, had children, and began living a peaceful everyday life, I started to feel nervous when I went on stage.” I believe he meant that, whereas he used to feel a sense of tension even in his daily life and could take the stage naturally, he now needed to mentally switch gears between his daily life and the stage. Reading this, I thought that even within that daily life, there must be a form of expression unique to it, and that even within a life that appears peaceful, there must be tension and depth—and that ECD would be capable of expressing that. Wondering if I could express that “something” found within that peaceful life, I shared the concept with ECD, and he readily agreed. However, it’s easier said than done. If we can’t simultaneously convey the calm expressions and tempo while also revealing the vast spectrum of life’s joys and sorrows—filled with tension—lurking in the background, the result will simply come across as too laid-back. That’s when I thought of popo. popo is a trio—comprising organ plus two horns, occasionally two keyboards plus one horn—that blends chamber music with ska and reggae. While the music’s expression and tempo are relaxed and endearing, they are a group that can deeply and authentically convey the harsh realities of “daily life.” popo’s tracks have a natural presence, as if they were created specifically for this purpose, and ECD’s rap over them takes on a completely different meaning from his previously released takes. It’s rare to find music where the lyrics resonate so vividly yet remain so gentle that you can play it as part of your daily routine. I believe this album has become a long-running hit precisely because it’s the kind of work that helps us realize something important hidden deep within our daily lives.