Shoukichi Kina - Asia Classics 2: The Best of Shoukichi Kina - Peppermint Tea HouseIt's been thirty years since we originally released this retrospective from the Okinawan icon Shoukichi Kina. There's a lot we could say about the legendary Kina and his influence on popular Japanese music but we'll let Ry Cooder, who's featured on most of the songs here, take it away:"I first met Shoukichi Kina in 1979. David Lindley and I were on tour in Japan, and were getting well worn out. Kina and a translator met up with us in Osaka and we all

Working here with Noel Coward

intellectual stimulation

Zorrino and Macadam

" found here

Ambassador is a lonely old man who likes to fish

it is the only truly original work on the disc

They were awarded the Netherlands Programming Foundation Duo Prize at the National Violin Competition

It's the first album to feature all five members of the band

helping expand the genre's contours while carrying the band to new heights

"has been traveling across the United States for thirty-five years

Alternate universe hip-hop superheroes riff on club hookups and pop culture WTFs: Liz Claiborne

illustrating everything that was right about progressive bluegrass