［Description］

After a five-year hiatus, the OKI DUB AINU Band presents their masterpiece!
"UTARI" in the Ainu language means kinship, comrades, and brethren.
"UTARHYTHM" expresses the songs left by the Ainu through rhythm.
While unraveling the traditional songs of the Ainu, a sound unique to Dub Ainu, not from the Ainu nor any other country, was born!

OKI and Misako Ohshiro—One is a player of the traditional Sakhalin, Ainu string instrument, the Tonkori, who has pioneered the possibilities of Ainu music with innovative soundscapes that encompass the world. The other is a singer, reigning as the queen of Okinawan folk music at the age of 76, with a voice likened to "silk thread," having walked the path of song for 55 years. This unexpected meeting of north and south, Ainu and Okinawa, led to the realization of their dream collaboration.

For the first time, I felt "music" resonating beyond all "barriers".
The soul is excited! Life is ignited!
Naozumi Masuko (Dohatsuten)

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Track Descriptions (text by OKI)

1. UTARHYTHM [Sakhalin Ainu Style]
The Sakhalin style involves singing two different songs simultaneously, a style no longer sung today.
Tonkori follows the style of the western coast of Sakhalin.

2. CITY OF ALEPPO
A town in Syria, currently under the control of anti-government forces.

3. HEKURI SARARI
A song from the eastern Hokkaido region.
Hekuri Sarari Haa Hui Ha Hui Release, Withdraw
Urara Suye Ekamuy Sinta Atuy Tunna Etunun Paye
The flying vehicle of the gods sways in the mist,
Making sounds as it heads towards the sea.
Translated by Emi "KAPIW" Toko

4. ARAHUY
Another song from the eastern Hokkaido region; the meaning is unclear.

5. 'ANKISMA KAA KA [Ride On Snow]
From "Situ'us" Ski, quoted from one of the stories left by Take Asai, born in Sakhalin.
‘Ankisma Kaa Ka Kiitun Kiitun
‘Ankisma Kaa Ka Kiitun Kiitun
‘Ooran Niii Kitaykepoka Kema Suye Wa
‘Ooran Niii Ksuhtonkepoka Suye Wa
‘Ooran Niii Kitaykepoka Kema Suye Wa
Taskoro Moysay Cokokohko
Grab the rope kiitun kiitun
Grab the rope kiitun kiitun
Slide up on the low mountain
Slide through the middle of the high mountain
Slide up on the low mountain
The rope broke and fell down.
Words quoted from Tuitah "Shitu'us" Take Asai / Translated by Kyoko Murasaki

6. UTARI OPUNPAREWA [Brethren, Stand Up And Dance]
Stand up and dance, comrades. A famous song, led by Ibeita.

7. KENKEYO
Tonkori rhythm is Kurparmaha.
When Nishihira Ume was recording Tonkori for some research,
Suddenly, I was asked to play the Mokkuri as well. "I don't have it, I'm tired, and
I can't do everything alone!" I showed reluctance, but then like this
Mokkuri said, "Kenkeyo" and hummed it with my mouth. That's where the song came from.

8. SUMA MUKAR [Stone Axe]
Also, in the Kurparmaha rhythm.
Suma Mukar Anak Ani Ni Perpa Ka Koyaykus
Penanpe Patek Maskin Nispane Wa
Pananpe Eun Po Hene Wenkunne.
Aynu Utar Iteki Ukoewnarpa Yan!
Iyotta Pase Wakka Pe Hoskino Cik Nankor
It is difficult to cut trees with a stone axe
Penanpe becomes richer and richer
Pananpe becomes even poorer
People, do not be stingy with each other
The heaviest drop falls first.
[Penanpe] Those who live upstream [Pananpe] Those who live downstream
Composed by Oki / Aynu Language Supervised by Itsuji Tangiku

9. WENKO ROCK [Bad Rock]
Tonkori follows the style of the western coast of Sakhalin. "Wenko" means dangerous.

10. KAMUY SINTA [Kamuy’s Cradle]
Kamuy Sinta makes a roaring sound, knocking down trees and collapsing mountains as it flies.
Tonkori also follows the style of the western coast.

11. TAMA KOOTO
Not sung today. Learned from Ume Ko Ando.

12. RERA TASA BOO
Do not let the wind blow.

13. NT SPECIAL
Tonkori follows the style of the western coast of Sakhalin. "NT" are the initials of the drummer and bassist of OKI DUB AINU.