Rough Guide to Okinawan Music (1)

Okinawa is located on an strategic spot of ocean real estate, and has been occupied by numerous foreig powers throughout its history. This stormy military past has forged the island's strong martial arts tradition, but a side effect of a multitude of traders and soldiers passing through is a multilayered cultural richness. This compilation collects a broad variety of styles, themes and artists, from the amazing traditional sanshin tune Koko Kuduchi to the joyous modern surf pop of The Surf Champlers. While the variety of material makes sure that there have to be a few songs for everyone they could have done without, overall this is a shining jewel and wonderful to explore.