［Description］

A collaboration album titled Amamiaynu featuring Amami folk songs and Ainu music, produced by OKI is finally being released on vinyl LP!

"Exploring the ancient songs of Amami and Ainu, intertwining once again. Let's row our boats for squid fishing as we ride the waves."

Amamiaynu (Amami Ainu) is a project initiated by the foremost exponent of Amami folk songs, Ikue Asazaki. The members include Ikue Asazaki, the leading figure in Amami island songs, OKI, a player of the Ainu traditional string instrument, the Tonkori, Rekpo, the leader of the Ainu female vocal group MAREWREW, and the sister unit Kapiw & Apappo, who sing the Upopo from Lake Akan Ainu Kotan.

In 2019, the album Amamiaynu was released on CD/digital and garnered attention from various quarters. In October of the same year, they performed at Peter Barakan's LIVE MAGIC! 2019, and in January of the following year, they held their first hall concert at Shibuya Den-Sha Hall. In November 2021, a documentary program on Amamiaynu was broadcast on NHK E-TV. They continue to expand their activities.

In this first-ever vinyl release, an alternative version of "Miturasanmae kamuy samada" (SIDE B-3) is included. Additionally, to commemorate the release, a record release commemorative live performance will be held at the Marunouchi COTTON CLUB on the same day of its release, April 12, 2023 (Wednesday).

[Members of Amamiaynu and their more details]

- Ikue Asazaki: 
Born in 1935 on Kakeromajima, Amami. A singer (Utasha) of Amami island songs, which have been sung since ancient times. She was called a genius singer in her youth due to her innate talent. She has performed overseas at venues such as New York's Carnegie Hall, Los Angeles, and Cuba, and has continued to spread Amami island songs on numerous grand stages, including ten consecutive years of performances at the National Theatre. She sings the theme song "Ahagari" for the NHK BS Premium long-running program "Shin Nihon Fudoki." While preserving the tradition of Amami island songs, she continues to expand the possibilities of Amami island songs through collaborations with piano and various ethnic music, deepening her world.
Website: www.asazakiikue.com

- OKI (Asankara): 
A musician/producer of the Ainu traditional string instrument, the Tonkori, who is of Karafuto Ainu descent from Asahikawa. He is also active as a producer, working with artists such as Umeko Ando and MAREWREW. Since 2005, he has toured Asia, America, Europe, and other parts of the world with his band OKI DUB AINU BAND and has appeared at world-renowned world music festivals such as WOMAD. His activities range from collaborations with Canadian indigenous dancers and shadow puppeteers to the release of collaborative albums with Okinawan folk singer Misako Oshiro.
Website: www.tonkori.com

- Rekpo: 
Born in Asahikawa, she is the leader of the female vocal group MAREWREW, which is energetically engaged in the reproduction and transmission of Ainu traditional songs "Upopo."

- Kapiw & Apappo:
A sister unit from Lake Akan Ainu Kotan. Since childhood, they have been conveying the charm of Ainu songs, focusing on songs passed down from their hometown of Lake Akan and their grandmother, incorporating Ainu musical instruments such as the Mukkuri and Tonkori.