[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to lecca - Otaku girls no Utage
- 25th January , 2008 by KNDY in WORLD GROOVE: MUSIC REVIEWS
- 0 comments
ARTIST: lecca
ALBUM: Otaku girls no Utage
LABEL: Cutting Edge
CATALOG #: CTCR-14530
DURATION: 1:01:03
- Outsider
- Start Line
- a~i!
- Payday!
- F.A.F
- Yonde My Name
- Home Party feat. TSUGUMI from SOULHEAD
- Otaku girls no Utage
- Chouchou
- Poka~n
- I wish
- Goddess in the Mountain
- 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!
Tags: おたくgirlsの宴, lecca, Otaku girls no Utage