Various - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan

Review by SANDEEP DHUNGANA

Album Review: The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan by Various If you’re a fan of music that takes you on an auditory trip around the globe, The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan is one helluva ride. Released in 2008 under World Music Network and Music Rough Guides labels, this eclectic mixtape-of-sorts dives deep into Japan’s rich musical traditions while sprinkling in some modern twists for good measure. With genres spanning Pop, Folk, World, Country, and Rock—and styles like Surf and J-pop thrown in—it’s not just an album; it’s more like a kaleidoscope of sound. One track that sticks with me is "Ushibuka Haiya Bushi." It’s got this raw energy to it—a kind of foot-stomping rhythm that feels both ancient and alive at the same time. You can almost picture the scene: fishermen or farmers singing their hearts out after a long day’s work. There’s no need for flashy production here; its power comes from sheer authenticity. Honestly, it’s tracks like these that remind you how universal music really is—even if you don’t understand every word, you feel it. Another standout is “Tokyo Boogie Woogie.” This one flips the script entirely. Where “Ushibuka Haiya Bushi” feels grounded and earthy, this tune zips along with a playful swagger. It’s impossible not to tap your feet or crack a smile when it kicks in. The piano riffs have this cheeky bounce to them, and there’s something about the way the melody dances between chaos and control that makes it unforgettable. It’s like Tokyo itself—chaotic yet perfectly orchestrated. Compiled by Paul Fisher (who also wrote the sleeve notes), mastered by Laurence Cedar, and designed by Impetus, the album has a polished feel without losing its soul. And let’s give a shoutout to the variety here—it’s not all koto strings and traditional chants. Tracks range from hauntingly beautiful (“Hyojo Netori”) to downright quirky (“Ah Wakaranai”). Each song offers a little window into Japanese culture, whether it’s rural folk tunes or urban beats. What strikes me most about this collection is how it refuses to be boxed in. Sure, some albums stick to one vibe or era, but The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan doesn’t care about rules. Instead, it throws everything at you—the old, the new, the weird, the wonderful—and somehow makes it all fit together. Here’s the unexpected part though: listening to this album feels less like entertainment and more like eavesdropping on conversations across centuries. One moment you’re hearing echoes of history, the next you’re grooving to something totally fresh. By the end, you realize you’ve been given a gift—a snapshot of Japan’s musical soul that’s as diverse as the country itself. So yeah, maybe don’t expect perfection—but isn’t that what makes it so damn charming?

Download Various - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan

Artist: Various
Album: The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan

2008

Rating: 4.0

Review
About Album
Download
Tracks
Video
Images
Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
Companies
Credits
Barcodes
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: various-the-rough-guide-to-the-music-of-japan.zip

MP3 size: 169.2 mb
FLAC size: 1576.8 mb

Download

Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Ubue	5:35
Moji Banana No Tatakiuri	1:54
Utage (Excerpt)	3:26
Asadoya Yunta	4:15
Kawachi No Ryu	4:08
Yuhizaka	5:41
Mangetsu No Yube	4:12
Subayado Bushi	3:14
Utuwaskarap	6:02
Makura	0:57
Nyorai Shizune	4:32
Fukko Bushi	3:11
Shi Chome	3:52
Tokyo Bushi	4:10
Yagaefu	4:10
Nikata Bushi	3:49
Haisai Ojisan	5:13
Tokyo Boogie Woogie	3:01
Ah Wakaranai	3:55
Hyojo Netori	1:43
Gobai	1:42
Ho Na Mi (Excerpt)	4:00
East Of Kunashiri	7:21
Akkan	6:40
Takio's Soran Bushi	4:47
Appalchian Shamisen	3:35
James Bond Theme	3:02
Shinkaichi (Saru's Meditation Dub)	6:29
Kakin Ondo	6:07
Ushibuka Haiya Bushi	2:45
Agari Jo	4:49
Koza Renka	3:50
Futatsu No Hensokyoku Sakura Sakura	5:59
Hiyami Kachi Bushi	3:13
Hara No Tatsutokya	1:01
Amagoi Bushi	4:15

Video

Soul Flower Mononoke Summit - Ah Wakaranai

Images

ladda ner album Various - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan

baixar álbum Various - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan

last ned album Various - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan

lataa albumi Various - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan

Album herunterladen Various - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan

télécharger l'album Various - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan

Catalog Numbers

RGNET 1031 CD
RGNET1211CD
RGNET1211PR

Labels

World Music Network
World Music Network, Music Rough Guides

Listen online

lyssna på nätet
online luisteren
kuunnella verkossa
ouvir online
écouter en ligne
online anhören
lytte på nettet
ascolta in linea
escuchar en línea

Formats

CD
Compilation
Promo
Papersleeve

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	World Music Network
Copyright (c)	World Music Network
Pressed By	Sonopress USA

Credits

Role	Credit
Compiled By	Paul Fisher
Sleeve Notes	Paul Fisher
Mastered By	Laurence Cedar
Design	Impetus

Barcodes

Barcode: 605633103120
Rights Society: mcps
Label Code: LC 11067
Barcode: 9781906063351
Matrix / Runout: U43024 RGNET1211CD
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LD02
Mould SID Code: IFPI 5J36
Barcode: 9 781858 284873 >
Other (ISBN): 1-85828-487-2
Matrix / Runout: SONO PRESS X-9598/ RGNET1031 A
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LB 46
Mould SID Code: IFPI 0730

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The album *The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan* isn’t just your typical compilation. It’s a wild mix of genres and styles, from traditional folk tunes to surf rock and J-pop. Released in 2008, it takes listeners on a journey through Japan’s musical soul. One standout track is a Japanese take on the *James Bond Theme*, blending Western cool with Eastern flair. Compiled by Paul Fisher, the album feels like a love letter to Japan’s diverse soundscape. It’s not just music—it’s an experience.

Comments

ultimateen

2025-03-14

Hello, what is the song about okonomiyaki in this album ? thx !!!!

vale161174

2025-03-14

this reminds me of my trip to japan. Walking up mountain stairs in the middle of nowhere to see a shrine. Cicadas drowning the hot humid air as i passed locals who gave such a warm smile. A smile that said "you are welcomed, foreigner".

With the world turning to shit, Japan feels like the last beacon of bliss.