Aiko Shimada
Country of origin:
Born in Japan, now in U.S.
Type of music generally:
A unique ethereal jazzy alternative pop with an almost ambient flavour
Status:
Most recent release, Like Hannah (2004)
See also:
Aiko Shimada's site (currently offline, as of 8/2016)CD Baby's page for AIko Shimada
She has also done collaborations: Oyasumi: Japanese Lullabies and Restful Melodies (with Elizabeth Falconer, 2001) and Dreams—songs and lullabies carried on the wind as Dragonfly (with Elizabeth Falconer and Mako, 2004)
Comparisons:
Early Joni Mitchell; soft jazz performers; soft art song performers
Covers/own material:
Mostly own, collaborations, and occasional covers.
General comments:
Dreamy jazzy spare pop with haunting, clear vocals, almost train-of-thought lyrics, uniquely hers. There is a sense of fragility in the songs and yet her vocals are strong. The songs are jazzily loose-feeling but shapely, structured and full of gentle hooks—they don't grab you, but instead draw you in. There is also a frequent Japanese flavour (several of her songs have Japanese lyrics). I highly recommend her music—no one else quite does what she does, and each of her songs grows on me the more I hear it. (Neile)
Comments about live performance:
Live Aiko Shimada is compelling and her clear vocals even more hypnotic. Highly recommended, though the last time I heard her was as part of the Seattle Persephone's Circle singer-songwriter group, over 15 years ago, I'm sure. (Neile)
Recommended first album:
Another Full Moon (for her self-produced material) or Blue Marble (more highly orchestrated and produced). (Neile)
Recordings:
- bright and dark (1995)
- Window (1998)
- Another Full Moon (2000)
- Blue Marble (2001)
- Like Hannah (2004)
bright and dark
Release info:
1995—BERA
Availability:
Harder to find
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Aiko Shimada—vocals, guitar
Guest artists:
Mark Collins—upright bass
Doug Theriault—electric guitar
Mark France—electric guitar
Cory Oace—drums
Hans Teuber—soprano sax, alto sax
Ernst Long—trumpet
Eyvind Kang—violin
Tim Young—electric guitar and a fly
Produced by:
Aiko Shimada
Comments:
This album has a similar sense of fragile songs as Joni Mitchell's early work, but with the strong vocal style and maturity of Joni Mitchell's later work, yet Aiko Shimiada is, even from this first album, very much assured and writing music in her own style and with her own flavour. The unique orchestrations are fascinating in their own right, as are Aiko Shimada's delicate yet sturdy and powerful vocals. An impressive debut. (Neile)
Window
Release info:
1998—BERA 02
Availability:
Online sources
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Aiko Shimada—vocals, guitar
Guest artists:
Mark Collins—nylon string guitar, uprights bass, backing vocals
Abby Grush—accordion, backing vocals
Mark France—piano, electric guitar
Eyvind Kang—violin
Doug Theriault—electric guitar
Lonnie Plaxico—upright bass
Produced by:
Aiko Shimada
Comments:
Gentle and jazzy pop, quite quiet and introspective—a nice change of pace, and it all comes alive because she really knows how to structure a song and has a lovely, expressive voice. Rainy day music, rich, vivid, rewarding, and perfect when you're in a contemplative or dreamy mood—or want to be. (Neile)
Another Full Moon
Release info:
2000—BERA 03
Availability:
Online sources
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Aiko Shimada—vocals, steel string guitar, nylon string guitar, electric guitar, clave
Guest artists:
Dave Carter—trumpet on 8 tracks
Mark Collins—upright bass on 9 tracks
Steve Moore—trombone, piano, wurlitzer, harmonium, tambourine, indian bells, various keyboards on 10 tracks
Eric Eage—drums, shakers on tracks
Jason Vontver—drums on 5 tracks
Mark France—electric guitar on 5 tracks
Timothy Young—electric and acoustic guitars on 3 tracks
Troy Grugett—baritone sax on 1 track
Jon Hyde—pedal steel on 1 track
Bruce Wirth—banjo, dobro on 2 tracks
Produced by:
Tucker Martin and Aiko Shimada
Comments:
This is quiet but energetic and dramatic jazz-touched pop. Aiko Shimada has a wonderful voice, and a way of putting together songs with gentle hooks—so gentle you don't even know they've caught you until they're buzzing in your head and you're delighted to hear them when you drop this in the player again. (Neile)
Blue Marble
Release info:
2001—Tzadik/New Japan—TZ7281
Availability:
Online sources
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Aiko Shimada—electric guitar, vocals
Guest artists:
Evind Kang—violins, viola, fretless bass, processed violins, ashiko drum, tom-tom, recorders, mint-finger cymbals
Brent Arnold—cello
Mark Collins—double bass, muted double bass
Evan Schiller—drum loops, hand claps, drums, bell samples
Paul Moore—key bass, toy piano, arp synth, nord bass, render rhodes, nord lead
Tucker Martine—electronic shakers, drum machine, bass drum
Mark France—electric guitar
Jason Webley—accordion
Bill Frisell—electric guitar, backwards guitar loops
Guy Davis—guchung
DJ Olive—turntable
Troy Swanson—talkbox hammond
Produced by:
Evan Schiller and Eyvind Kang
Comments:
A gorgeous album, sung in Japanese, this is far more produced than Aiko Shimada's other albums. The label describes this as "surreal folk songs" and says it's "an unforgettable emotional ride through Aiko's exotic musical forest." Yes, exactly. Highly recommended! (Neile)
Like Hannah
Release info:
2004—Bera Records—bera04
Availability:
Online sources
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Aiko Shimada—vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
gibbous moon:
Mark Collins—upright bass
Dave Carter—flugel horn
Dave Brogan—drums, vibes, percussion Corpus Callosum
Guest artists:
Troy Swanson—Corpus Callosum—(1, 6, 12)
Paul Moore—accordion (7)
Hannah Joan McCarthy—vocals (12)
Produced by:
Aiko Shimada and Evan Schiller
Comments:
Another fine, dreamy, and arty album evoking places ("Ireland" and "In Our Park"), seasons ("Winter Light" and "Autumn Song"), nature ("Blossom" and "Crane" and "Tulip Song"), and emotions ("Loneliness" and "Like Hannah"). (Neile)
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