Kazuyoshi Saito (Mini-Shrine)
Home/Profile | Downloads
Welcome to my mini-shrine dedicated to Kazuyoshi Saito!! =D
A few years ago, I discovered that Kazuyoshi Saito (斉藤 和義) and Do As Infinity were once on a TV show called "Space Shower TV" (SSTV). While on that show, they collaborated and performed "Susume Namake-mono", one of Kazuyoshi's songs. I was really impressed, and wanted to learn more about him...
Unfortunately, there's hardly any information about him in English. (><;) But I did manage to find some of his songs online, and I even bought one of his CDs, "FIRE DOG". I love that CD a lot, and I thought it'd be cool if I posted some of his songs and lyrics here. ^^
Maybe someday, I'll post more information about him, and a few more lyrics. We'll have to see how it goes. 
PROFILE
Some artists escape the "star system" so that
they can put forward their talent in the most free way possible. Kazuyoshi Saito
is one of these slightly secret artists of the Japanese music scene, a
rare talent, and a jewel for some. With his eternal appearance as a
young rebel, he knew how to forge a cult, all in keeping a more than
personal universe. Far from being superficial, the music of Kazuyoshi possesses a
style and a real soul.
His very subtle music puts forth a rhythm. Also, he is one of the most
talented multi-instrumental musicians of his generation. The guitar
though, remains his primary form of expression.
His music is a clever mix of folk, rock and pop, he remains loyal to
some of the greatest inspirations like Yutaka Ozaki or the legendary
Rooters.
Author: luca
translation: Sefs @ JaME USA
(2006-08-05)
BIOGRAPHY
After he had
already gathered his first musical experiences in the Tokyo
"Underground" during the 80s,Kazuyoshi Saito
started his big career as member of a band that he created
with old
school friends. When he left the band in 1991, he already had big plans
to become a solo artist, devoid of any responsibilities of a band, in
order to show his talent. With this he began sending demo tapes to
several labels, on which he played a range of instruments himself.
Through a series of events, he came to his first television appearance,
which was broadcasted in 1992 by TBS. The
talentscouts from the BMG Fan House that were
present at this broadcast were fascinated by his charismatic
performance and gave him a contract shortly after.
In the summer of 2003 appeared
a very intimate album, which, despite
being only seven songs, gave alot of personal information about Kazuyoshi.
For many critics and particularly the fans, he was, with this album,
the big discovery of the year. With the second album, which appeared
after a small tour in Spring 1994, Saito
proved that he was an artist to take seriously, and not
just a one-hit
musician. His increasing popularity enabled him to give performances in
bigger, nationally broadcasted television stations.
In the following three years four albums appeared, on which Kazuyoshi
brought in new styles like jazz, even though it cost him a few
early-days fans so that he could gain success. However, these albums
reached rather high rankings in the Oricon Charts, which can be
seen as a great success for representatives of his guild. From 1998 he
took a small break from songwriting and released a best-of, as well as
two live recordings. At the same time he began arranging his own events
and university festivals, which were visited alot particularly by fans
of folk-pop.
At the end of 1999
he underwnt a radical change, not only did he end his contract with BMG to sign another with Victor Entertainment, he also began writing a
large majority of his lyrics in English. Though his album COLD TUBE
was very pop-orientated in comparison to his older works, he managed to
keep his older style on a selection of the songs, therefore keeping his
older fans happy. After this trip into new genre, he returned in 2001
to the concept that made him famous: folk rock with an acoustic guitar.
With his album in 2002, he had just about come back to his rock origin.
In 2004 he wanted
to pay a tribute to one of his inspirational idols with the cover Yami no Kokuhaku (Exist In
The Dark),
which was used for Blue
- A Tribute to Yutaka Ozaki. Aside from the concerts
in memory of Yutaka
Ozaki,
Kazuyoshi performed for the first
time in his career at Fuji Rock Festival. In the following year, Kazuyoshi occupied himself with a
further homage, this time for the band The ROOSTERS(Z). At the end of 2005, he
released two best-of albums, though since then things have gotten a
little quieter around him.
Author: luca
translation: Sefs @ JaME USA
(2008-03-08)