Feeling tired of all the English songs and want to try something international? Then you should check out the album: Bapuru” by Japanese band Shounanno Kaze.

Shounanno Kaze is a Japanese Reggae band formed in 2001. Although this is a Reggae band, the songs they produce are very different than the Reggae songs in the United States. For Shounanno Kaze, their songs are somewhere between Japanese rock and Reggae.

The Album “Bapuru,” as well as its main track “Bapuru,” brings listeners back to the late 20th century, when Japan was in the highest of its own economic bubble. The word “Bapuru” is the Japanese word of “bubble”.

Track 1: “Bapuru” (Bubble)

As the signature song of the album, this song is about the highest of the bubble economy era in 1980s. The song, if you read the lyrics, makes the listeners have a feeling for the “good old days” even you haven’t personally experienced it. This is a fast song that combines old style rock and roll, as well as Reggae and new-style pop music. If you are a fan of the old style rock songs and want to try something international, this song will be a great choice for you.

Track 2: “Load”

Different from the first song of the album, this song is much slower and slow paced than “Bapuru.” Because the band is both famous for singing both slow and fast songs, this song should not have disappointed you. If you prefer some slow paced songs while studying or working, this song is perfect for you.

Track 3: “Big Up (Remastered)”

The song “Big Up” was released 10 years before this album released and it has become a hit ever since, and made the band famous. As a side track of the album, this remastered edition of this classic hit will surely be enjoyable.

Overall, if you are a fan of East Asian music, or if you just want to try something international, you’ll surely love this international album performed by this popular Japanese band.

The post Album Review: “Bapuru” by Shounanno Kaze appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Fire Sale is a band hailing from Davenport, Iowa. Featuring a wide range of sounds and styles, they’re the type of band you’d be forgiven for not knowing, but should definitely be on your radar. Their newest release Furry Noises will motivate you to keep your ear to the ground for any news of upcoming gigs. The band has played various Iowa City venues before, and have tromped throughout Iowa with their signature blend of reggae, funk, and rock.

The album begins with an upbeat track, and one of my personal favorites, “Don’t Ya”. The song is the perfect introduction to the band, and gives you an immediate sample of their sound. It begins with short, tight guitar riffing that breaks into the groove of the song, showcasing the various layers of instruments. The drums, bass, guitar, vocals, and horns all harmonize together perfectly, each with their own distinct riffs that meld seamlessly into the groove. Like The Commitments playing Coachella, the soulful horns trade solos with the guitars, much like a live jazz band. The focus of the music is definitely on the instrumentals, which is reflected in the song lengths. Most songs hover around the 5-6 minute mark, allowing plenty of time for the groove to breathe and grow as the songs go on.

The album then moves on to “Roads”, a slightly more relaxed and groovy beat. I was immediately reminded of the classic 70’s era blaxploitation film soundtracks by the wah-ing guitar tones. The band shows off their versatility with quick rap-like vocals that turn on a dime into slow and sexy breakdowns.

As the album progresses, different instruments take center stage on different songs. In “Keep in Touch”, Brady Stender’s saxes interplay perfectly, resulting in a complex and rich sound that never goes overboard or becomes distracting. In “Us or Them”, Max Lipnick and Colton Menke’s guitar work creates a Latin pop-esque feel with hints of Santana rock. “Stay” has an unmistakable reggae feel. The focused vocals give it the most traditionally pop sound on the album, making it the easiest to listen to. “Hot Damn Jam” follows it up in the exact opposite way with Joe Verstraete’s percussion work leading the instrumental jam.

While the lyrics are never the main focus of the music, there are definitely some songs with that have unique lyrical content. “Technology” features a more rigid, slow beat complemented by a bluesy vocal deliverance. This old school feel contrasts with the lyrics, which focus on modern technology. Lines like “no need for emotion, all I gotta do is hit send” and “She hopes there’s wi-fi in this afterlife” create an interesting dichotomy. Another favorite is “Edison Invented the Night Life”, which focuses on the life and work of Thomas Edison. Set to a more honkey tonk beat, the lines mention the famous inventor’s various accomplishments and tireless work ethic.

Overall, I really enjoyed this album. Fire Sale sound like real pros, and I feel like I’ve found my new favorite band from a summer festival. You can tell these guys are killer live performers. I certainly hope to catch them someday soon. The instrumental focus and long song length may not be for everyone’s personal listening taste, but Furry Noises is perfect for a chill dance party or a summertime BBQ.

“Furry Noises keep your body moving” indeed.

You can download Furry Noises for free, or a name-your-price donation, at their bandcamp page.

Check out the album below:

The post Album Review: “Furry Noises” by Fire Sale appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Read the interview below:

Talk a little about the message you’re trying to convey through your new project, Slumdog EP.

Shotta G: Really the message is about bringing it back to my roots. I feel like reggae and ska and dancehall from way back in the day is a father or even an aunt, you know what I’m saying. And it’s all in the hip-hop. It’s just taking it back to the roots and combining the different genres. But also in another way it’s really physiological, you know what I’m saying. It’s trying to reach a full potential. And like with every song, every song depicts that and shows me pushing myself every time and basically trying to inspire other people to push to reach their heights.

It’s been cited that Nas’ Illmatic record influenced you; what other artists or records have influenced your music?

Does it matter new or old?

Anyone.

Like I’m really weird with what I listen to. Lately I’ve been listening to Bob Marley vs. Lee “Scratch” Perry. Like a lot of songs draw inspiration from that, like even if you listen to Slumdog, a song off Slumdog EP, that song is like new and old at the same time. For example the backup harmonies are so 70s but then the beat is so 2015. So that’s what influenced the new EP. But new hip-hop that I listen to is like, Spitta, Shotta G and, OUR.

What are your ultimate goals for your career?

Until recently I never really thought about it, but you know, I always thought wrong. I always thought I wanted what everybody wanted. I wanted to be famous as hell, you know what I’m saying, like the biggest star in the world, like the biggest celebrity. But really I just want to be able, at the end of the day say it’s undeniable what I did, or to create this huge influence on the world really. That’s what it’s about man, to be great but not have to do nothing crazy or sell out. Like do it how we’re doing it. Just me and my friends making music. You know what I’m saying. Semir’s my friend he does the videos. Zay’s my friend he does the beats. Just like that. Like everyone’s saying do it different, like in the underground. But I’m talking all the way we don’t need nothing. We don’t even need money.

Which song of yours is most personal to you?

Memoirs of a Rebel definitely. [It’s] like really my thought process for real. That song was probably too honest but a lot of people probably don’t catch up on it. Sometimes the stuff I say will probably come across as braggadocios. The stuff that rappers say but really like, I really mean it.

Everyone has a list of dream collaborations. Who do you want on a track?

I don’t know. I don’t know man. A lot of people. I feel like I could make music with anybody. There’s no one type I think is wack. You know how some people be like, Atlanta or Trap is wack. It’s art. I feel like on the right track with the right person, we could make something special.

I don’t want to put you on the spot but can you spit something a cappella, maybe from Memoirs of Rebel?

From Memoirs of a Rebel? No really I want to rap this verse from Abolition of Worries. That’s my favorite verse to date. It’s probably the reason I’m still dong this. I don’t know if you know but I haven’t put out any music in a while. I’ve really been trying to figure out if I want to continue doing this, you know what I’m saying. I just had a son. I’m married. Just other stuff. You know I’m always going to make music but if I’m going to pursue a career out of it, you know what I’m saying?

Shotta G: Yeah that verse. If you really feel that verse that means you gained the master key. That’s what the master key is about. That verse right there, it means everything to what I’m doing right now.

If you are interested in Shotta G’s music or want to learn more about him, check out his website.

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