a r t i s t : Reiko Kudo
t i t l e : Hito
d a t e : 2006
l a b e l : Hyotan (hyotan-001)
g e n r e : Folk
r l s. d a t e : Aug/2006
t r a c k s : 10
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 35,5 MB
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Hito was recorded from summer through to early autumn 2005 and
the drowsy heat of the season lies over it like a mosquito
net. The hesitant vocals and piano that open its first track
are underpinned by what initially sounds like the faint wow
and flutter of a cheap tape recorder. Suddenly, as though a
window has been flung open, the distortion is revealed to be
the pylon-buzz of cicadas in the garden outside. As the sound
rises to fill the room, the senses are beguiled, place, time
and sensation evoked with the most minimal of means. Reiko's
albums are always song-based, miniature wisps of melody that
sound like something composed over the washing-up, the words
perfectly balanced between observation and signification. Her
voice has that childlike upper register of many Japanese
female singers, but with a definite strength in the low notes.
Most striking is her enunciation - the slightest tremor of
hesitation, a lack of demonstrativeness that makes Vashti
Bunyan sound like Whitney Houston, the voice pitched uncannily
into an area where the exhaled breath seems to shimmer
naturally into song. This is captivating and at times
heartbreakingly emotive work.--Alan Cummings (The Wire).
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01-As Sorrowing, But Ever Rejoicing [04:07]
02-By The Sea [03:08]
03-Siro [03:21]
04-Cat [04:30]
05-Go To See The Sunset [02:19]
06-Mica [02:55]
07-Swallow [03:28]
08-North Korea [02:07]
09-Apartment Block 18 [03:43]
10-Hitomi [06:22]
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36:00 min