【PRESS】
Far Side Music
Comment for the new CD "Another World Of Okinawan Music"
First album from Aragaki Mutsumi, one of the most interesting musicians to have arrived on the Okinawan music scene in recent years. While being steeped in the tradition, she's also a fearless experimenter, creating something genuinly new. A seamless blend of the old and new; sanshin, natural sounds, loops, effects. Comes with superb DVD of visuals, of Okinawan scenes, nature, vintage footage, festivities and more. A truly significant album, that sets a new benchmark. Link
Far Side Radio
(Paul Fisher, Resonance FM, UK) guest interview and performance on 2nd Oct 2019.
Archive :
https://www.mixcloud.com/farsideradio/mutsumi-aragaki-live-in-the-studio-2nd-october-2019/
Program :
I've been following the career of Okinawan musician Mutsumi Aragaki for several years now. It's been inspiring to hear her develop her music with such a passion,open mindednessand bravery, in developing Okinawan traditional music, respecting the past masters, yet taking the music in totally new directions. It was therefore an honour and a pleasure to welcome her to the Resonance Studio. She enchanted us with her live studio performance, and listening to a track from her forthcoming and long anticipated solo album. Also featured music featuring her collaborator while in London, Mina, a track for October by the Boom, and the legend that was Hibari Misora.
Full track listing : https://www.farsidemusic.com/radio/021019_tracks.htm
fROOTS , winter No. 423, 2018 ー John Potter archive link
Power of Okinawa ー John Potter
Basque Ryukyu Project in Okinawa (1)
Basque Ryukyu Project in Okinawa (2)
Songlines Magazine
No.130, August/September 2017 ーJohn Potter
Interview article archive link
No. 117, May 2016 ーJohn Potter
The trio MKR Project stand out with their experimental blending of old and new. Their singer and sanshin player Mutsumi Aragaki composes her own songs to which bass and drums are added. The drummer is Rob Goodman an American resident on Okinawa. Aragaki also sings solo, is a sanshin teacher and has just collaborated on live shows as a duo with Malian kora player Mamadou Doumbia. She is the focus of MKR Project’s music and the traditional Okinawan songs are given languid jazzy arrangements with her voice and sanshin to the fore. It’s a mix which is still evolving but is one of the most promising at the showcase.
アルバム視聴
Power of Okinawa ー John Potter
Comment for her new album "Another World Of Okinawan Music"
So, this is an album that will not suit everyone as it requires close attention to reap its rewards. It should, however, be essential listening for anyone interested in what is going on now in Okinawan music and in the exciting new directions in which Mutsumi Aragaki is taking it. She is indeed a trailblazer who can’t be compared to anyone else. The title of this album could hardly be more apt. see more
Power of Okinawa ーJohn Potter
The main focus of the trio is Aragaki who has a strong voice and is an adaptable and imaginative sanshin player. Her own song ‘Spinnin’ Around’ was one of the highlights and she seems equally at home singing in Japanese or English often in the same song. see more
Tokyo Weekender ーJohnPotter
performer Mutsumi Aragaki is doing “some interesting things,” including a trio called MKR Project that plays “both traditional and original songs,” as well as an upcoming collaboration with Malian musician Mamadou Doumbia. (Potter adds that the duo will be playing in Tokyo during the month of November, so keep your eyes and ears open!) see more
Far Side Music Facebook site ーPaul Fisher
I met Mutsumi this year in Okinawa and heard her music for the first time last year. A really creative soul.
アルバムリリース記念ライブ決定！2021/1/30
