Umeko Ando - Upopo Sanke - Import CD

Credits:

Umeko Ando

Description:

Umeko Ando, a master of the Ainu folk song Upopo and mouth harp mukkuri, released the CD "Upoposanke" in 2003, an Ainu music masterpiece created with musicians such as OKI Tonkori, Masahiko Todoroki of Tuva, and percussionist Masato Kimura. The title "Upoposanke" means "Let's sing a song" in Ainu language. Umeko Ando (1932-2004) is an Ainu musician from Hushikokotan, Obihiro, Hokkaido. Together with OKI of the Oki Dub Ainu Band, who participated in the recording, she sang the Ainu folk song Upopo. The call-and-response structure of many of the songs is performed in an elastic, breathy vocal style with a mantra-like quality. There seems to be a gentle smile on every note and syllable. This music gently touches the heart. Upoposanke" was recorded on a farm in Tokachi in the summer of 2003. Dogs barking, thunder rumbling in the distance, and voices imitating animals can be heard.