“Reggae artist lecca returns with her second mini-album which focuses more on the dance hall reggae style and upbeat pop groove just in time for her lecca CLUB TOUR.”

ARTIST: lecca

ALBUM: Mado no Mukou

LABEL: Cutting Edge

CATALOG #: CTCR-14553

DURATION: 23:26

RELEASE DATE: February 13, 2008

1. Kita no Sakaba
2. UN-SOLO feat. SEEDA
3. Namida no Hi
4. Little ms sunshine
5. Watashi no Rirekisho

Reggae artist lecca released her second mini-album back in Feb. 2008 titled “Mado no Mukou” which features not so much “reggae” in the sense that many people are familiar with.

In fact, this album is much more pop-influenced as the tracks are very dance hall reggae or probably leaning towards more towards the pop end than reggae, especially if comparing this album with recent albums from fellow label artists such as MEGARYU and PANG.

But this style for lecca probably does work well as the music is just right for her CLUB TOUR 2K8 which took
place a month after this mini-album’s release.

The album as a pop album is not bad. The first track “Kita no Sakaba” is an actually awesome dance track and very catchy. lecca demonstrates her ability to sing pop songs but also fuse her reggae style into a pop beat.

But then the next three tracks “UN-SOLO”, “Namida no Hi” and “Little ms sunshine” become more pop-influenced and I suppose that for her club tour, it works out just right. I felt that these tracks were not as strong compared to her last album “Otaku Girls no Utage” which I enjoyed a lot. The first track was great but the next three tracks were average at best.

The final track “Watashi no Rirekisho” is probably the only track on the album that deviates from the pop sound and focuses more on acoustic guitar and percussion and a style that really works well with lecca’s reggae style of vocals.

The CD insert is a quad fold insert with lyrics and production credits on one side and the featuring an image of a clay creation of reggae artists with the speakers and animals.

All in all “Mado no Mukou” was an average album at best. With lecca’s 2007 album “Otaku Girls no Utage” really showing her strengths as an artist, I just wished that “Mado no Mukou” would have shown that similar strenth.

You do have that awesome dance track “Kita no Sakaba” and the acoustic guitar and percussion driven track “Watashi no Rirekisho” that stand out on this min-album but the other three tracks for me, they were just ok.

But nevertheless, I can see these tracks being performed in a club setting and afterall, her 2008 tour is titled “lecca CLUB TOUR 2K8″ but I would like to see more diversity in experimentation with musical styles, more collaborations and an album that really showcases her talent.

“Mado no Mukou” by all means is not a bad album, it’s actually good. Not great…but to me, just average.

BUY THIS MINI-ALBUM

Mado no Mukou

lecca

ARTIST: lecca

ALBUM: Otaku girls no Utage

LABEL: Cutting Edge

CATALOG #: CTCR-14530

DURATION: 1:01:03

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1. Outsider
2. Start Line
3. a~i!
4. Payday!
5. F.A.F
6. Yonde My Name
7. Home Party feat. TSUGUMI from SOULHEAD
8. Otaku girls no Utage
9. Chouchou
10. Poka~n
11. I wish
12. Goddess in the Mountain
13. DREAMLAND

lecca (pronounced as “Rekka”, name is lowercased) is a well-known reggae MC on the Cutting Edge record label. Her music is a combination of reggae dance hall and pop R&B.

A graduate at Waseda University as a political economics major, the singer pursued her dreams of becoming a music artist by performing at several venues before enrolling in a performing arts school focusing on vocal and dance where she lived in Toronto and New York.

Returning back to Japan, lecca changed her musical style and focusing on Japanese R&B and has produced and collaborated with fellow label reggae MC’s PANG, MEGARYU and many other artists.

Since signing with Cutting Edge, lecca has released one mini album titled “DREAMER” (26/04/2006) and two full length albums, the first being “URBAN PIRATES” (CTCR-14492) released in August 2006 and her second full-length album “Otaku girls no Utage” (which translates to Otaku girls Spree). She also has an Indie album released back in 2005.

Her second full-length album showcases lecca’s talent in which all tracks lyrics and music are by her and also contributes track arrangements for “Payday”, “Yonde My Name”, “Chouchou” and “DREAMLAND”.

The album features a good balance between reggae dance hall and lecca’s quick delivery of lyrics from lecca and absolutely showcasing her vocals. With other female reggae artists, such as PANG who tends to focus more on the mellow reggae melody, lecca will take on tracks that border near contemporary dance reggae.

The first track “Outsider” is one such track which the lyrics are fast and furious and the delivery and vocals of lecca are showcased.

The second track “Start Line” is another track that has an addictive melody and showcases lecca’s style of vocal delivery, cool pop beats and definitely infectious.

The third track “a~i!” features lecca showcasing her quick delivery of lyrics and a more reggae music style than the previous two tracks which are more pop-inspired. The song features Hirohisa from Stoned Rockers on bass.

The fourth track “Payday!” is another track that is more Japanese reggae and features lyrics, music and arrangement by lecca.

The fifth track “F.A.F” is another track with a more pronounced reggae sound and groove. The song features musicians PJ, Rui, Ras Kanto and Aki from Dubsensemania.

The sixth track “Yonde My Name” sounds similar to another pop song (Rihanna anyone?) but another track that features lecca’s lyrical and musical style and arrangement with DawnTown (who also worked with lecca on the first two dance hall tracks).

The seventh track “Home party” features a very addictive dance track by lecca and TSUGUMI from SOULHEAD. Both collaborated on the lyrics and the music with track arrangement by lecca and HASE-T.

The title track for the album is the eighth track and features a collaboration with Nao’ymt for the arrangement. Another track showing the ferocity of her quick delivery which just features a barrage of lyrics and bass drum.

The ninth track “Chouchou” is a very cool ballad featuring a solo keyboard and bass drum for the music and lecca singing. Very cool and a track which the lyrics, music and arrangement were completely all by lecca.

The tenth track “Poka~n” features a collaboration with HAKASE-SUN for arrangement, MPC 3000 programming and MOOG bass. Also, NODATIN (of WADADA) on electric guitar. The song features a reggae groove and like the Steel Pan and Tabla by Yamamura Seiichi giving a nice Jamaican twist to the song.

The eleventh track “I wish” is another track featuring another collaboration with HAKASE-SUN who also lends his musical talent with acoustic piano and wind chimes to the track. Also, NODATIN on electric guitar and acoustic guitar for another reggae influenced track.

The twelve track “Goddess in the Mountain” features arrangement by Nao’ymt and lyrics and music by lecca and features a more pop-bassed but a reggae groove.

The final track “DREAMLAND” features a track with music, lyrics and arrangement by lecca and a deep reggae bass groove and also featuring children on chorus.

The CD insert features the lyrics in the booklet and a few photos of lecca.

Japanese reggae music is something I have enjoyed for the longest time and I really enjoy what artist NAHKI, MEGARYU, RYO the SKYWALKER, PANG, Pushim and lecca have done to get Japanese reggae to the mainstream.

lecca’s latest album is another awesome effort by her in showcasing her style of reggae music featuring dance hall reggae and also incorporating her R&B pop influence into the tracks on “Otaku girls no Utage”.

It’s another solid album featuring tracks that are catchy, addictive and enjoyable and also something fresh and new for everyone who is curious about Japanese reggae.

Definitely worth checking out!