Talk We Couldn't Broadcast, Now Uncut!

This time, we welcomed Shuya Okino of Kyoto Jazz Massive as our guest, who will release his new album "Destiny" on Wednesday, July 13th.Shuya Okino of Kyoto Jazz MassiveWe asked him about the album's concept and production. Actually, Okino and I are the same age. And although we've known each other for over 20 years, this is our first time talking on the radio! We're bringing you the full, uncut conversation, including parts that weren't broadcast on the show.

REVIEW | TRACK LIST
01. Ben Westbeech | Butterflies (Strictly Rhythm | P-Vine)
02. Shuya Okino | Deep Into Sunshine (Village Again)
03. Shuya Okino | Take A Look At Yourself (Village Again)
04. Shuya Okino | Holding You, Loving You (Village Again)
05. Jeremy Glenn | New Life - Alex Barck Remix (Future Classics)

A Collaboration with a 20-Year Friend, Finally Realized!

MatsuuraThis week, we have a guest in the studio after a long time. It's Shuya Okino of Kyoto Jazz Massive, whose album "DESTINY" is being released on Wednesday, July 13th.Shuya OkinoCongratulations on the album completion. It took quite some time for the release, didn't it?

Shuya Okino: The Composer vs. The DJ

MatsuuraWe've already played "Still In Love ft. Navasha Daya" and "Love And Live ft. Navasha Daya" on this program, and the listener response was huge. "Still In Love," in particular, is a cover of Rose Royce, which became a big topic in London and was chosen as the second-best song of the year on Gilles Peterson's BBC radio show, and was released as a single first... When was that?

OkinoAround February, perhaps?

MatsuuraAnd now the album is finally complete. Half of it is covers, and half features the same vocalists singing original songs – a new, distinctly Okino-esque structure.

OkinoWhen making this album, I listened to UFO's first album and Nuyorican Soul. UFO doesn't have many covers, but it has elements of homage to classics, and Nuyorican Soul's selection of songs to pay homage to, even the covers, was really good.

I think covers are essential for albums made by DJs and producers. "UNITED LEGENDS" was all original songs, but I wanted to express both "Shuya Okino the composer" and "Shuya Okino the DJ" through selecting covers. Simply having half covers and half originals would be boring, so I deliberately had the same vocalists sing both covers and originals, letting listeners compare which they prefer: the songs made by past legends or the ones I created (laughs).

Love for the Music

MatsuuraIt's a rich sense of creativity that's so typical of you, Okino-san (laughs). Before you came on as a guest today, I listened again to both the covers and originals. First, I felt the originals were very much in your style. Rather than drastically changing them, you've preserved the essence of the original songs and brought them back to life for today, which shows your love for the music. How did you select the songs?



OkinoThe Japanese club jazz scene, in particular, has many active bands, and the mood is often influenced by the 50s and 60s. I think the influence from before the 70s is enormous. So, I deliberately ventured into the territory of the 70s and early 80s, which is not often explored by live bands, and by adding my own jazz flavor, I hoped to create a "fusion of boogie and jazz that you wouldn't expect to exist."

I've always thought you have a certain 'blackness' about you, Okino-san (laughs).

MatsuuraI haven't recorded with vocalists for over 10 years, but as you mentioned, the compatibility between a vocalist's voice and key and the song is crucial. So, choosing songs based on the vocals is a new approach for me. Listening to the finished product, I thought that, along with the participating musicians, the overall feel is very 'black'... I've always thought you have a certain 'blackness' about you, Okino-san (laughs).

OkinoWhat kind of comparison is that (laughs)!

MatsuuraI associated 'blackness,' 'soulfulness,' and 'funkiness' more with fusion than with black music. The album "DESTINY" as a whole is very dark... no, it's more like, lightly tanned!?

OkinoLightly tanned (laughs)!

MatsuuraNo, it's not lightly tanned (laughs). I felt it had a European feel, yet it would be accepted in America too.

OkinoIndeed, when I talk with the record company, they say it's not just for the "club section" but also suitable for dance, or perhaps more for the soul and rhythm & blues sections.

MatsuuraI think that's a valid perspective. Rather than being confined to "club music," it's also suitable for listening, with vocals and well-crafted songs. Perhaps it's better not to be too fixated on the "club music" label. Especially this year, I think more people are listening to soul music. So, let's play a track now. Please introduce it yourself.

OkinoPlease listen to a track from my new album "DESTINY." This is Shuya Okino with "Holding You, Loving You ft. Pete Simpson"!

Okino-san: A New Kind of DJ!?

MatsuuraThis choice is also quite innovative!

OkinoActually, I had a hard time with the arrangement... The original is so perfect that it's hard to surpass. So, while it has a jazz hip-hop feel, the chords are largely the same. I chose it, but it was difficult (laughs).

MatsuuraI think this will resonate perfectly with those who listened to 80s soul. You called it "jazz hip-hop," but I feel it's a track where you can enjoy the flavor of the 80s. It's been over four years since the previous album... it goes by so fast, doesn't it? Before this album, your third book? "Filter Thinking to Find Solutions" was released. I apologize, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet...

OkinoNo, no, don't apologize (laughs)!

MatsuuraI've heard it's interesting. I hear there's a version with a CD included, but your appeal, as I mentioned earlier, is in how you present music in a unique way. Instead of directly presenting music or books, you pique interest by incorporating new ideas, which I find fascinating. You've always... like when you did a 24-hour DJ set on New Year's Eve at "THE ROOM" (laughs), you're a new type of DJ. Even when I travel to different cities, people talk about you.

OkinoLike a novelty act (laughs)? My fundamental stance is that of a musician. I make music seriously, but I don't think it's an era where you can just say, 'This is good, so listen to the sound.' So, I'm always thinking of ways to make people engage with it, to create devices that make even those not initially interested want to listen. Instead of just saying the music industry is tough or difficult, I believe there are still many ways to make people listen and to expand reach through creative approaches. So, while I don't know if everything I do will succeed, I'm always willing to try. Even if I get laughed at (laughs).

Release Party on Saturday, July 30th!

MatsuuraI feel like you're full of dreams, Okino-san. I sense you have much more depth, and I look forward to what you'll do next! Now, about this new album "DESTINY," are there any tour plans?

OkinoWe're having a release party in Tokyo on Saturday, July 30th. It will be at "THE ROOM" in Shibuya, my home base, as part of our regular party "SOUND SANCTUARY," but this time it's titled "SOUND SANCTUARY Special" and will be the Shuya Okino release party. We're inviting Patrick Forge as a guest.

MatsuuraHe's coming from London? That's wonderful! Today's guest, Shuya Okino, will release his new album "DESTINY" on Wednesday, July 13th. Please also consider purchasing his book. Thank you very much for today!