Umi No Uzu

Immerse yourself in waves of electronic music and Japanese hip-hop

Mythical, innovative and deeply groovy, Umi No Uzu (meaning ‘stirring the oceans’) brings together traditional Japanese court music known as Gagaku, with jazz and hip hop. These diverse influences come together to tell the story of the Japanese creation myth.

Commissioned by the Australian Art Orchestra and premiered to a sold-out crowd at Art Centre Melbourne for the 2018 Meeting Points series, Umi No Uzu is the latest original work by influential Tokyo-based Australian composer/pianist Aaron Choulai. Along with an outstanding line-up of musicians, Umi No Uzu features hip-hop icon Kojoe - famous for his work in both the Japan and New York hip-hop scenes.

“The music of Umi No Uzu is strongly connected to Shinto creation myth. Kojoe narrates from the original text and raps new lyrics inspired by the stories. The music combines elements of Tokyo hiphop, Melbourne jazz and Japanese traditional music” - Aaron Choulai

“Innovative and captivating” - Collage Adelaide

Credits

released February 20, 2020

Composer, Accordion - Aaron Choulai
Voice, Lyrics - Kojoe
Koto, Voice - Miyama McQueen-Tokita
Violin - Erkki Veltheim
Trumpet, Electronics - Peter Knight
Saxophone - Ian Whitehurst
Bass - Christopher Hale
Drums, Electronics - Joe Talia

Recorded live at Arts Centre Melbourne, 3 February 2019 by Jem Savage
Mixed and mastered by Jem Savage

AAO Artistic Director – Peter Knight
AAO Executive Producer - Jerry Remkes