![]() ![]() This is not to diminish the power of Nujabes?s artistry by any means, but to show that they have different approaches to music. Posted with the permission of the artist.Īnd yet, both artists have that same soothing and spiritual quality that all composers hope that their works can have.Īrtwork by Marumiyan. Source: Marumiyan Music PortfolioĪ strong part of the appeal in DJ Okawari is in the magnificent covers he has on his albums. Each featuring a raven-haired woman, whose head is covered in leaves, flowers, birds, butterflies and other varieties of nature?s creatures. These artistic covers are courtesy of Marumiyan, whose mesmerizing graffiti-like pictures are visual embodiments of imagination. These covers, I feel, add a great deal of depth into the concepts of these songs. An idea rooted in nature?s serenity, but brought to life by human passion. Much like Nujabes, DJ Okawari cannot be fully appreciated on a first listening. One must listen to his pieces many times to really feel the emotional weight behind them, though I imagine that most people will be listening to Okawari?s rhythms on loop for much of their free (and homework) time.ĭJ Okawari has three major concept albums worth discussing, Diorama, Mirror, and Kaleidoscope. All three of these titles have something to do with vision. A diorama is a three-dimensional model used to often showcase a landscape. A mirror reflects images, and usually, images of yourself. A kaleidoscope is a tool one uses to see shifting colors. Now it is entirely up to interpretation as to why these particular titles were chosen, or if they really mean anything at all. I personally consider these to be concept albums, or albums based around a theme or idea. A showcase, a reflection, and a ethereal vision. All of these ideas can overlap, DJ Okawari is not an artist to be restricted. What makes each of the three albums stand out, in spite of their similarities, are their variations. Each album inhabits its own distinct universe. The first album, Diorama, is really about building atmosphere with the various tracks put together. While there are some tracks that can be heard individually, for this album, it is best amplified when put all together. This atmosphere is that of the piano accompanied by hip hop beats. ![]() Take ?Ring?, which reminds me of the ripples across a lake, the cute ?One for U? that sounds almost a lullaby, or the actively enlightening ?Colors of Life? contrasted with the mellow ?Evening Comes?. Though the backbone pieces that really provide the soul to this album are the piano opus ?Bluebird Story? and the R&B beauty ?Aurora?. ?Bluebird Story? which features Jumelles (on the electric piano) feels like a tone poem for a bluebird?s flight through the air: tranquil and exciting. ![]()
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