Toshio Matsuura | New Zealand's 7-Piece Act Delivers Unpredictable Jam Sessions
Toshio Matsuura | From TOKYO MOON, August 25 Broadcast
A Seven-Piece Band from New Zealand, Crafting Unpredictable Jam Sessions
DJToshio MatsuuraTOKYO MOON, the adult-oriented music program hosted by Toshio Matsuura, airs every Sunday night at 23:30 on InterFM 76.1MHz. We introduce fresh music from around the globe and topics that stimulate intellectual curiosity. Here, we revisit the latest broadcast. This series allows you to enjoy TOKYO MOON with your eyes and ears, delving deeper into artists, introducing related songs, and even offering the chance to purchase them. This week, we focus on Fat Freddy's Drop, a seven-piece jam band based in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand.
Text by MATSUURA Toshio
Arriving in Japan with Great Anticipation!
Since 1999, the seven-piece jam band Fat Freddy's Drop has been sending alternative works blending dub, reggae, soul, jazz, R&B, and techno from their base in Wellington, New Zealand, to the world.
Their third studio album, 'Blackbird,' released after a four-year hiatus, became their long-awaited Japanese debut. The track 'Mother Mother,' featured here, is an intriguing song that transitions from an Afro-dub-like beginning to a techno-infused end, and it's so popular that listeners always inquire about it when I play it as a DJ.
During a tour of Australia in the mid-90s, when I was involved with U.F.O., a local DJ told me that dub and reggae were popular music in Australia and New Zealand. In 2005, their first studio album, 'Based on A True Story,' sold 120,000 copies in New Zealand alone (with a population of about 4.4 million, that means one in every 36 people bought their album).
Furthermore, their early work 'Hope' (2003) gained popularity in Europe after being featured by Gilles Peterson on UK radio and licensed for release by the German label Jazzanova. Since then, they have reportedly toured regularly, primarily at major music festivals, every year.
Fat Freddy's Drop
I first discovered them through the aforementioned 'Hope,' and although I've crossed paths with them at events in Berlin and London, their live performances were so enjoyable that even first-time listeners became fans.
Their appeal lies in the jam sound created by a strong bond of members who have remained largely unchanged since their formation, the enveloping and gentle vocals of frontman Joe Dukie, and the personal lyrics based on his experiences. Their songs resonate with listeners, complemented by groovy jam sessions whose direction is unpredictable. This album, 'Blackbird,' further refines these elements, achieving a remarkable level of completeness.
As summer draws to a close, let's immerse ourselves in this album and await their performance in Japan, which has yet to happen.
Fat Freddy's Drop
http://www.fatfreddysdrop.com/
REVIEW | TRACK LIST
01. Takeo Toyama / Radlow Castle (wind bell)
02. Takeo Toyama / Hibari (wind bell)
03.Tigran Hamasyan / Road Song (Classics Jazz)★
04.Bianca Gismonti / Clarinha (Biscoito Fino)★
05.Derrick Hodge / Live Today (Blue Note / Universal)★
06.Fatima / Technology (Eglo)★
07. Nightmares On Wax / Master Plan (Warp / Beat)
08.Tirzah / Slow Jam (Greco-Roman)★
09.Mop Mop / Let I Go (Agogo)★
10.Fat Freddy's Drop / Mother Mother (P-Vine)★
11. Titeknots / Mind Open (Tru Thoughts)
12.Silkie / Daylight Savings (Deep Medi)★
13. Machinedrum / Center Your Love (NInja Tune / Beat)
 Tigran Hamasyan "Road Song" |  Bianca Gismonti "Sonhos de Nascimento" |  Derrick Hodge "Live Today" |  Fatima "Circle" |
 Nightmares on Wax "Feelin' Good" |  Tirzah "I'm Not Dancing" |  Mop Mop "Isle Of Magic" |  Fat Freddy's Drop "Blackbird" |
 V.A. "Shapes: Circles" |  Silkie "The Lost Tapes Vol. 1" |  Machinedrum "Vapor City" |
This Week's "TOKYO MOON on iTunes"
You can purchase selected songs introduced previously here. Experience the joy of instantly acquiring music that catches your ear. This time, we've picked tracks from New Zealand artists who have been releasing interesting works, including Fat Freddy's Drop. These are all pleasant pieces perfect for the end of summer. Enjoy.
Please ensure you have iTunes installed beforehand.
Fat Freddy's Drop / Raft 2010.7.11 ON AIR
Lord Echo / Thinking of you 2011.7.24 ON AIR
Funkommunity / Never Fading 2012.11.4 ON AIR
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