Albums
Produced by Bachido
The Shamisen, a timeless symbol of Japan's traditional musical arts is transformed in the hands of Kyle Abbott and "Monsters of Shamisen" into a symbol of Japan's spiritual connection through music to all of the world. Both online and in theaters all across the globe, this group of super charged virtuosos have been twanging their way into the hearts of world music fans as well as fans of almost every conceivable genre in existence.
Kyle Abbott & Yuzu Natsumi
California Dreams(2018)
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Bringing together percussionist/flutist Eien Hunter-Ishikawa from Portland and Bassist Karl Hedlund from Sweden, we created 'California Dreams'. Most of these songs are original pieces from Yuzu Natsumi, and others are creative arrangements of traditional Japanese minyo (folk songs).
It's a beautiful blending of traditional Japanese instrumentation (shamisen, fue, taiko, minyo vocals) and western instrumentation (mandolin, vibes, bass, and more), so please listen and enjoy the California Dreams!
Track Index & Samples
The Seven Herbs
Kokiriko Bushi
Ringo Bushi
Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi
Yasaburo Bushi
California Dreams
The Rice Planting Song
Special guests: Yuzu Natsumi - vocals, keyboard (2); Eien Hunter-Ishikawa - percussion, vibes, flute; Karl Hedlund - bass
Album art designed in France by the creative (yet tasteful) Samuel Mann! If you are making any project and would like solid, professional artwork, feel free to contact Samuel! Check out his Instagram.
Kyle Abbott
Frosty: A Retrospective Christmas (2016)
Two years later, that one song grew to twelve artful arrangements and became the very first shamisen-driven Christmas album - Frosty: A Retrospective Christmas. Personally, I am so delighted with the arrangements. I believe it's because the album's creative process began with feelings of silliness and whimsy, there was freedom to arrange these classic carols as far as my creative current took it. What's more, I have the great privilege to be joined by eight of my favorite talented musicians (shown below) who made these classic carols even more rocking!
Hang on to your wigs and keys, this Yule Tide is gonna be a wild one!
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Track Index & Samples
Auld Lang Syne
Down in Yon Forest
Jingle Bells
We Three Kings
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
O Holy Night
Carol of the Bells
What Child is This
Burning of Auchindoon (Bonus)
Midsummer Shaminade
Little Drummer Boy
Twelve Days of Christmas
Special guests: Aki Takahashi - vocals (2); Masahiro Nitta - shamisen (5); Reigen Fujii - shamisen (6); Billy Pitrone - vocals (6)(11); Karl Young - shakuhachi (6); Kevin Kmetz - shamisen (7) Mike Penny - shamisen (11) Eien Hunter-Ishikawa - percussion (11)
Album art designed in France by the creative (yet tasteful) Samuel Mann! If you are making any project and would like solid, professional artwork, feel free to contact Samuel! Check out his Instagram.
Kyle Abbott
The Cuckoo (2014)
Practiced with these various genres, I always wanted to hear my favorite songs arranged with my instruments, but the limitations of being only one person made that quite difficult. However! When recording tracks for Monsters of Shamisen in 2012, I discovered I could easily record arrangements exactly how they sounded swimming in my head.
From this realization, I decided that whenever musical inspiration struck, I should run to the studio and record them. It was a very slow, organic process. Every few months for the next 1½ years, I recorded these songs whenever time and inspiration allowed. Before I knew it, there was enough material for my first solo album! Not only did I have a presentable collection of my musical works, but also, more importantly, I had the satisfaction that my brother wouldn't be the only Abbott with a solo album anymore! (Check out his album here!)
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Track Index & Samples
Ogbeler
Minuet
Hang Me
Wind & Rain
Oh Death
Come Thou Fount
Bonaparte's Retreat
The Golden Vanity
The Cuckoo
Jonkara
Kuroda Bushi
Muso (Bonus)
Mirrors (Bonus)
Flowing (Bonus)
Fly Away (Bonus)
Album art designed in France by the creative (yet tasteful) Samuel Mann! If you are making any project and would like solid, professional artwork, feel free to contact Samuel! Check out his Instagram.
Monsters of Shamisen
Resonance (2014)
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Track Index & Samples
Kaze
Izabel
Azuma no Michi
Shady Grove
Kita no Hibiki
Cedden Deden
Tarmenita
Umi o Mitsumete
Road to Lisdoonvarna
Greensleeves
Chirgilchin
The Face of Life
Album art designed in France by the creative (yet tasteful) Samuel Mann! If you are making any project and would like solid, professional artwork, feel free to contact Samuel! (http://samuel-mann.tumblr.com/)
Artists
Special guests: Mason Hutchingson - bass (1)(4); Christopher Palermo - percussion (6)(9); Greg Weber - trumpet (6); Linus Tremaine - trombone (6); Hiroshi Nitta - shamisen (5); Jorge Jara - vocals (7); Luke Abbott - guitar, strings (3)(4)(9); Leslie Abbott - vocals (7); Carl Abbott - shakuhachi (10);
Monsters of Shamisen
Stellar (2013)
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Track Index & Samples
Korobushka
Eden no Kanata
Bolivianita
Scarborough Fair
Yasaburo Bushi
Hikaru
Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi
Tsugaru Ohara Bushi
Tsugaru Aiya Bushi
Dyngyldai
Greensleeves
The Return
Artists
Special guests: Luke Abbott - guitar, vocals (4); Hiroshi Nitta - shamisen (5); Yoshie Nitta - vocals (5); Armando Alcaraz - vocals (3); Wendy Molin - vocals (3); The Great Morgani - accordion (1); Mason Hutchingson - bass (1)