Meiko Kaji – Zenkyokushu — music review
I was first introduced to Meiko Kaji’s music back in the late 1990’s with Female Convict Scorpion: Jailhouse 41. Though only my initial viewing, I found the theme song amazing, and it stuck with me long after the film. It wasn’t until later that I became a true Kaji fan. I had knowledge of her singing career, but reservations about picking up an album. I mean, how many cult film stars have released actual quality albums? Well, I’m here to tell you that Zenkyokushu, the Best of Meiko Kaji is not a kitsch collectible, a la Telly Savalas or Reiko Ike Sings, but a genuinely amazing album. Near every track is of such an exceptionally quality as to become permanently infused in your brain. And even after such a permanent storage, you will keep coming back for more.
Tackling each track is a daunting task, but I will try to focus on some of my favorite out of the twenty. ‘Urami Bushi’, the Grudge Song of the Sasori films is here played with a full orchestral accompaniment. The difference can be a little jarring after becoming used to the film versions, but in the long run I’d say it’s the definitive version, somehow more refined in spite of its larger scale. Kaji’s wonderfully clear voice rings out tracks ranging from ‘Shura No Hana’, the Lady Snowblood theme, to ‘Onna no Jyumon’, a swelling, cinematic ballad replete with whale-teeth-xylophones, twangy electric guitar, flutes, and violins.
‘Gincho Waridori’ is easily my favorite song on the album, with it’s funky, driving piano bassline and buzz guitar. It just makes you want to dance. Jeans Blues is easily a second runner up, a melancholy love song infused with undeniable emotion and cool. Particularly good on this track are the clarinet and violin accompaniment. Lastly, the traditional stylings of ‘Shuki No Uta’ are a nice transition from the funkycoolness of the first half of the album to the more laid back sounds of the latter. It sounds a lot like what you would expect to hear over the speakers in some twilight Japanese buffet or mid 80’s department store, but man, I like it. Funk guitars and violins return on ‘Ame no Yoru’, this time with harpsichords and Rushmore like plinkings. It’s a nice, mellow groove that you might find yourself putting on repeat.
In closing, Zenkyokushu is a wonderfully solid album that should be of interest to music connoisseurs and Meiko Kaji fans alike. Its import cost may seem daunting, but twenty quality tracks is something hard to find even across multiple “Best of” albums these days. Do yourself a favor. Check Zenkyokushu out. You won’t regret it.
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