Search - Original Love :: Kaze No Uta O Kike

Jazzy Soul Nippon Style

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 12/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD represents, in my opinion, Original Love at their peek... though Rainbow Race wasn't too bad... I haven't heard their more recent stuff, but after this CD, the group seemed to be getting less Jazzy.The tunes on this album can best be described as Jazzy and funky, but have a bit of a Brazillian vibe to them as well. The tunes are upbeat, happy and refreshing... I like the vocalist's voice, though some Japanese I know have alleged that his lyrics are a bit corny. - - Music wise, if you've never heard Original Love before, the best comparison would probably be to the Brand New Heavies or the Blackbyrds, maybe even with a touch of Groove Collective, though the tunes are presented more from a pop perspective (catchy melodies, solos, begining, middle and endings).For anyone curious about Japanese pop music, this group is definitely far from typical... but they are exceptional. For more great Jazzy Japanese soul, besides Piz.5, check out Love Tambourines (almost impossible to find), Kome Kome Club, Chara, Big Horns Bee and if you're really lucky try to get your hands on a Cornelius CD called First Question Award. - - as for this group, their Greatest Hits CD "Sunny Side of Original Love" should be high up on your list...Its great to see this CD back in print !"