Songbook [Limited Release]

Shun Ishiwaka, one of Japan's foremost jazz drummers and composers. In addition to being in high demand for recordings and live performances by top Japanese artists such as Ringo Sheena, Gen Hoshino, Kenshi Yonezu, and Quruli, he is simultaneously active across multiple projects including Answer to Remember, SMTK, and CRCK/LCKS. Now, the EP "Songbook," released in 2016 as the origin and starting point of his "Songbook Project" -- a project he positions as his own life's work -- is released on vinyl for the first time to mark the 10th anniversary of its launch. "Songbook" was announced in December 2016 as a limited EP, the first installment of a pop project in which Ishiwaka not only played drums but also piano and keyboards, and both wrote and arranged every track himself. It caused such a stir that it was reprinted immediately after release, and it was the work that widely established Shun Ishiwaka's exceptional talent, not only as a drummer but as a "musician." This release features Manami Kakudo, who supports various artists including cero and carves out her own musical world through voice and percussion in her own activities; Ryo Konishi, a multi-instrumentalist from CRCK/LCKS (with whom Ishiwaka is also active) known for his sound production work for numerous artists including Mrs. GREEN APPLE, TOMOO, and King & Prince, as well as his performance work with MILLENNIUM PARADE and others; and Tomomi Oda, who supports artists such as UA and KIRINJI and provides songs for video projects. Five tracks, etched with Ishiwaka's songwriting and the delicate, rich ensemble woven by these trusted musicians, are pressed on vinyl for the first time after 10 years.

日本屈指のジャズ・ドラマー/コンポーザー、石若駿。ジャズドラマーとしての活躍に加え、椎名林檎、星野源、米津玄師、くるりをはじめとする国内トップ・アーティストのレコーディング・ライブに引っ張りだこであるのみならず、Answer to Remember、SMTK、CRCK/LCKSなど複数のプロジェクトにて同時に活動する彼自身のライフワークと位置づける「Songbook Project」の原点にして出発点、2016年リリースのEP『Songbook』を、始動から10年の節目に初のアナログ盤としてリリース。『Songbook』は、石若がドラムのみならずピアノ・キーボードでも演奏し、全曲を自ら作編曲したポップス・プロジェクトの第一弾として、2016年12月に限定EPとして発表。発売後即座に増刷となるほどの反響を呼び、ドラマーとしてだけでなく「音楽家」としての石若駿の非凡な才能を広く知らしめた作品である。本作には、ceroをはじめ様々なアーティストのサポートをおこない自身の活動においては声と打楽器で独自の音楽世界を切り拓く角銅真実、活動をともにするCRCK/LCKSから、Mrs. GREEN APPLE やTOMOO、King&Princeをはじめ数多のアーティストのサウンドプロデュース、MILLENIUM PARADEなどへの演奏参加でも知られるマルチ演奏者の小西遼、UA,KIRINJIなどのサポートや映像への楽曲提供もおこなう小田朋美らが参加。石若のソングライティングと、信頼のミュージシャンたちが織りなす繊細かつ豊かなアンサンブルが刻み込まれた5曲が10年の時を経て初のアナログ化。