muziek for everyone: JAPANESE COMPOSER & MUSICIANS

During my teens period, I have already fallen in love with Japanese musicians' work. Casiopea, Himiko Kikuchi, & Seiko Town are the first that I know. But it is not easy to find records by them during those days.
Luckily now days with many streaming radio, multiply.com, lime wire etc, people can easily changing their collection. Since several weeks ago, I had a chance to search songs composed by Japanese musicians. What did I find finally?? I got Himiko Kikuchi's songs; Tomosuke Funaki's & Mika Nakashima's.

Never heard about Tomosuke Funaki (see the picture) before and also Mika Nakashima, but definitely I love their works! Then I tried to explore more about this 2 musicians. Unfortunately, I could not find Tomosuke profile except: Tomosuke Funaki (舟木智介), writes music for Konami's "Bemani" series of video games. Aliases/projects include (but are not limited to): Orange Lounge, EeL, ELE BLOCK, Caldeira.
I don't know if I can get his works from the local music stores. Should try this weekend......... (wishing).

Below is about Mika Nakashima that I got from lastfm.com
中島美嘉 (Mika Nakashima), born February 19, 1983, had dreamed of

becoming a singer since she was a child. She decided not to attend high school, and pursued her dream in a musical career. The very first demo-tape she sent to a record company had given her the chance. She was chosen out of 3000 girls, as the heroine of the 2001 fall season drama, "Kizudarake no Love Song (Scarred Love Song)" of the Fuji TV station. In November, she made her sensational debut from Sony Music Associated Records, with the song "STARS", which was also the theme song of the drama.

Her second single "CRESCENT MOON", a groovy track with an 80's flavor, was the limited product of 100,000 copies only. Amazingly, it sold out the first day of its release.
In March of 2002 she released her third single "ONE SURVIVE" (which received great feedback) and her first video "FILM LOTUS", in May her 4th single "HELPLESS RAIN", in August her 5th single "WILL" was released, tying-up to the sales of over 200,000 and Top Ten hits.
In December of 2006, Mika released "Hitoiro" for the NANA 2 movie under the name "NANA starring MIKA NAKASHIMA," as well as a NANA album titled "THE END," marking the conclusion of her association with NANA.
Mika's newest single, "Mienai Hoshi," a ballad with a tinge of gospel sound, will be released February 21st, 2007. The b-side to this single will be a cover of the famous Ozaki Yutaka song, "I LOVE YOU." Mika's 4th studio album "YES", to be released March 14th, as been confirmed as well.

Observing Japanese Musicians' work that I like, somehow I can draw the red line of those songs, it always has a kind of 'cheerful' tones! Cute kinda music! I could not find a right words to describe this. But if you listen to it you will understand what I mean.