Kobushi

This is a duo unit of ASA-CHANG, a musician who founded TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA and who since leaving the band has been active in a wide range of fields, such as forming "ASA-CHANG & Junray", and Emerson Kitamura, a keyboard player who was active in JAGATARA and MUTE BEAT and who has worked with many artists such as EGO-WRAPPIN', Kazuyoshi Saito, Theatre Brook, and Kicell. Their stage, on which the two play in perfect unison with a minimal and portable setup and which is scattered with "grown-up mischief", is as addictive as it gets and has become a talking point all around the country. Following "Debut" in 2018 and "Eros" in 2020, ASA-CHANG & Emerson Kitamura at last announce a long-awaited third work, a new EP. The opening track is "Aliens", the celebrated KIRINJI song that needs no introduction. While inheriting the mellow atmosphere of the original, it has become a fine new cover in which the spiraling, weeping trumpet of ASA-CHANG and the minimal playing of Emerson Kitamura merge beautifully. The second track that follows is "Tonneru Tengoku" by The Dynamites, a classic of 1960s Group Sounds, played in a light and deft arrangement that is packed with the playfulness only Asaema can bring and that will make you grin. And as a major highlight of 2026, the actress Satomi Kobayashi takes part as a guest vocalist, showing off richly expressive singing on "Namida no Kawaku Made" by Sachiko Nishida, set to a track that sublimates the deep charm of Showa kayo into pop. In addition, "Kanashikute Yarikirenai" by The Folk Crusaders, a digital-only song that was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic and drew much attention, is at last given a physical release, and the EP also contains "CAFE Shikaku no Uta" (with a karaoke track), from a unique parody song series based on a real cafe. This is a must-hear record on which the warm yet edgy pop sense that the two members of Asaema weave together shines. The artwork was handled by Sally Kubota, a designer who is also a musician and who debuted with The Phantom Gift in 1987. Evoking Yuji Onta Shinchu, the jacket has been finished as a playful and humorous piece on which Satomi Kobayashi joins the two members of Asaema. The liner notes are written by Takeshi Miyauchi, who is close to the members and who also wrote the lyrics for "CAFE Shikaku no Uta".

東京スカパラダイスオーケストラの創始者であり、脱退後は「ASA-CHANG&巡礼」を結成するなど様々なフィールドで活躍する音楽家ASA-CHANGと、キーボード奏者としてJAGATARAやMUTE BEATで活躍し、EGO-WRAPPIN'、斉藤和義、シアターブルック、キセルなど数多くのアーティストと共に活動してきたエマーソン北村によるデュオユニット。ミニマルかつポータブルな編成で阿吽の呼吸による演奏を繰り広げる、"大人のイタズラ"を散りばめた中毒性MAXのステージは全国各地で話題を呼んでいる。2018年の『Debut』、2020年の『エロス』に続き、「ASA-CHANG エマーソン北村」が待望の第3作目となるニューEPをついに発表! オープニングを飾るのは、言わずと知れたキリンジの名曲「エイリアンズ」。原曲のメロウな雰囲気を継承しつつも、ASA-CHANGの螺旋を誘う泣きのトランペットと、エマーソン北村のミニマルな演奏が見事に融合した新たな名カバーが誕生。続く2曲目は、60年代GSの名曲、ザ・ダイナマイツの「トンネル天国」。アサエマならではの遊び心がたっぷり詰まった、思わずニヤリとしてしまう軽妙なアレンジで聴かせる。そして2026年の大きな目玉として、女優の小林聡美がゲストボーカルとして参加。西田佐知子の「涙のかわくまで」を昭和歌謡のディープな魅力をポップに昇華したトラックに乗せ、表現力豊かなボーカルで魅せる。さらに、コロナ禍に制作され話題を呼んだ配信限定楽曲、ザ・フォーク・クルセダーズの「悲しくてやりきれない」念願のフィジカル収録に加え、実在のカフェを題材にしたユニークな替え歌シリーズ「CAFEしかくの歌」(カラオケ用トラック付き)も収録。アサエマの二人が繰りなす、温かくもエッジの効いた独自のポップ・センスが光る必聴の一枚。アートワークを手がけたのは、デザイナーであり、1987年に「ザ・ファントムギフト」でデビューしたミュージシャンでもあるサリー久保田。遊次音多進中を思わせる、アサエマの二人に小林聡美も加わった、遊び心溢れるユーモラスなジャケットに仕上がっている。ライナーノーツは、本人達とも親交があり「CAFEしかくの歌」の作詞も担当した宮内健が執筆。