〈フジロック〉への出演などで活動の場を広げつつあるシンガーの新作は、〈夏〉と〈海〉をテーマとする10編の物語。これまでは沖縄民謡をルーツに持つ持ち味を活かした作風が目立っていたが、今作はそこに留まらぬ個性豊かな楽曲が新鮮だ。レゲエ調の軽やかなアレンジが効いたサマー・ポップ“夏いちりん”や、ピアノとコーラスの静謐なハーモニーも涼し気な井上陽水“海へ来なさい”のカヴァーをはじめ、凛とした美声に痺れる!
[English Translation]
Ayano Uema "Hajimete no Umi (meaning First Beach)"
Steadily expanding the range of her artistic activities as many of us may recall the first appearance at the Fuji Rock Festival (one of the largest outdoor music event in Japan) last year, a promising singer-songwriter/master of sanshin (Okinawan three stringed music instrument) Ayano Uema's latest release. Being known for her symbolic Okinawa traditional folk music-rooted songwriting style since the debut, this refreshing new album goes many steps further with exceptionally unique tracks delivering 'summer' and 'beach' themed ten stories. As demonstrated in the tunes such as the effectively reggae-arranged, lighthearted summer pop "Natsu Ichirin (meaning One Summer Bloomer)" or with the serene harmony of piano and chorus, a comfortably chilly cover version of the legendary singer-songwriter/producer Yosui Inoue's "Umi e Kinasai (meaning Come on Down to Beach)" her distinguished beautiful voice just makes you shiver in a fantastic way!
