■ 292 pages in a beautiful LP size (30x30cm) ; in full colour, hundred of photos/ flyers/ posters. Bilingual edition : French/ English.
■ The full history of how ska appeared in Japan in the 60’s ; how reggae became big in the late 70’s ; the ska explosion of the 80’s and the revival at the end of the decade ; the reggae movement between underground and major acts ; how ska and reggae became revolutionary musics in Okinawa and Hokkaido…
■ 10 interviews with musicians and producers who have shapped the scene : Pecker, whose sole LP is now worshipped worldwide among collectors ; Asa-Chang, founder of the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra ; Shizuo Ishii, publisher of Riddim magazine and producer at Overheat ; keyboard genius Emerson Kitamura…
■ A selected discography of 50 not to miss records.
■ A second selected discography dedicated to the best Japanese repress of Jamaican 60’s – written by expert Yannick Maréchal.
■ And a 45 pages discography listing all the ska and reggae bands that have released records between the late 70’s and now!
If you love Jamaican music, there is two places you need to visit: Jamaica... and Japan.
Japan has given birth to one of the most dynamic, innovative and creative ska and reggae scenes (not to forgot dub). From an almost underground phenomenon in the mid-70s, ska and reggae have grown to become major genre in Japan, often topping the charts during the 90's and 00's.
Labels, bands, studios, clubs, bars, magazines, fanzines... the width of the Japanese ska and reggae scenes is breathtaking. And yet, nothing, not even in Japan, have been written about it.
Ska & Reggae In Japan is your one-ticked invitation to those scenes, wether you're already familiar with them or a complete newcomer.
Featuring interviews with underground and major artists from the scene (Asa-Chang, founder of the legendary Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra; roots activists Papa I-Ya-Bonz; Drum & Bass' manager Masaya Hayashi...), Ska & Reggae In Japan tells the whole story of how ska and reggae appeared in the mid 60's in Japan, to the reggae explosion of the late 70's and the magnificient ska revival of the 80's who saw the birth of band like Mute Beat, Ska Flames, TSPO and hundred of others.
Why a book on the Japanese ska and reggae scenes some of you may ask. The reason is simple: some of the most brilliant ska and reggae compositions that have been created during the past 50 years were made in Japan. And for fans of original oldies, Japan has become the new mecca for reissues of rare recordings, and even complete unreleased songs, from the golden age of Jamaican music.
As Western labels just start digging into Japanese ska and reggae, it is more than essential to get a full view of what has been going on in the Empire of the rising sun.
More than just a map of what's happening in ska and reggae (and a little bit of dub), Ska & Reggae In Japan also invites readers to discover Japan. An opportunity to paint a portrait of a country that is far from monolithic, where certain ethnic minorities have found a way to exist and protest through these types of music.
Support this project, and read about the crazy work of Pecker, who was one of the 24 Japanese who flew to Jamaica in 1980 (and that’s an official statistics!) ; the unique urban dub and ska sound of Mute Beat; or the glorious story of the almighty Tokyo Ska Paradise ! And also Determinations, Rankin' Taxi, Riddimates, Frisco, 69 Yobsters, Cool Wise Men, The Oldtones, The Drops, Chieko Beauty, Bagdad Cafe The Trench Town and tons of others!
