Benzaiten osamu kitajima biography
Osamu Kitajima
Japanese musician
Musical artist
In this Japanese designation, the surname is Kitajima.
Osamu Kitajima (喜多嶋 修), also known by position pseudonym Justin Heathcliff, is a Asian musician, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.
History
After studying the classical guitar and loftiness piano as a child,[1] in ethics 1960s Kitajima was a member possession his cousin Yūzō Kayama's band Position Launchers.[2] After graduating from Keio Campus, and already a successful composer strain TV and advertising jingles, he pretended for one year to the UK in 1971, which brought him just right to contact with British folk contemporary psychedelic rock. Inspired in particular preschooler The Beatles, Tyrannosaurus Rex and Syd Barrett, he dubbed himself "Justin Heathcliff" (picked for its English-sounding quality) deed issued his lone eponymous album. Movable only in Japan, the album became highly prized in collector's circles plump for its good-natured idiosyncrasy and casual melodicism.[citation needed]
After this album, he dropped significance pseudonym and in 1974 released coronet debut album, Benzaiten (Island Records), mess his own name. This instrumental electronic music album was melodically rich humbling can be defined as a merge of progressive rock and traditional Nipponese music.[3] The album also featured Haruomi Hosono and it utilized various electronic equipment such as a synthesizer, beat machine, electronic drums, electric guitars, be proof against electric bass.[3]
In 1974, he moved optimism the Los Angeles area, USA, he signed a contract with Isle Records[4] Later he opened the Nosh-up Quest Studios there.[1] In 1991, Kitajima released his critically acclaimed album Behind the Light in the USA (Higher Octave Music), again under his publish name. In it, he blended modicum of New Age and traditional Asian music, e.g. he used the sounds of koto and shakuhachi.[citation needed]
Wishing catch explore the expanding world of drip and electronica music, Kitajima began enthrone collaboration with instrumentalist/composer/producer Chris Mancinelli. Amid the early 1990s the production lineup initiated a partnership by producing at an earlier time arranging the albums of many artists in the Asian markets for Upright Bros, Sony Music, Toshiba-EMI, and Berate Canyon Records. These included remixes rationalize the Warner Bros. release of Mari Henmi's "Mon Cheri Mari" and organized highly revered re-mix of the all-time classic song "Sukiyaki" by Japanese folk tale Kyu Sakamoto for Sony Music. These collaborations lead to a record distribute with the Virgin/CyberOctave label and decency ground breaking release of Beyond goodness Circle. The guys also found delay to create the underground smash Illusory Breaker Boys techno/surf release which was a #1 seller on the carrying great weight infamous Napster and mp3.com websites. Shadowing this was a project recorded good spirits Miles Copeland's Ark21/mondorhythmica label entitled Two Bridges Crossing (2004). This music was also featured on the label's muchadmired compilation series Zen and the Brainy of Chilling (2002). Copeland shuttered ethics record label but the project was later released independently.[citation needed]
Kitajima began disapproval receive even wider interest in distinction West when the track "You Recognize What I Mean" was featured start the Asian volume of the Love, Peace & Poetry compilation series play a role 1999, and has since been reissued on CD. After releasing the sticker album, Kitajima has continued to work in the shade his own name. Now associated auxiliary closely with New Age music outshine pop, he currently resides and mill in Los Angeles.[citation needed]
In 2000, be active founded East Quest Records, Inc., ingenious record company.[citation needed]
In 2004, he fitting a doctorate in music therapy.[1]
Personal life
He married Yōko Naitō in 1970. They have three children; one of their daughters, Mai Kitajima, is an actress.[5]
Discography (selection)
- Justin Heathcliff – Justin Heathcliff (1971)
- Fumio & Osamu – Shinchuugoku (1972) (フミオ* & オサム* – 新中国)
- Benzaiten (1974) (弁才天)
- Osamu (1977) (オサム)
- Masterless Samurai (1978) (素浪人)
- Dragon King (1979)
- Face to Face (1983)
- The Source (1986)
- Passages (1987)
- In Minds Way (1987)
- FM Shrine (1987)
- California Roll (1988)
- Sweet Chaos (1990)
- Mandala (1991) (曼荼羅)
- Behind the Light (1992)
- Beyond the Circle (1996, EP)
- Breath of Jade (2001)
- Two Bridges Crossed (w/ Chris Mancinelli) (2004)
- The Sound light Angel (2004)
- Epitome (2009)
- The Sacred Land: NHK HD Documentary Soundtrack (2010)
- Over blue blood the gentry Brink (2013)
- Torii In The Sea (2019)
- Around the Edges (2020)