| Some bands play good music, and others play good shows; those that can manage both are worthy of our notice. Soul Flower Union proved itself such a posse at its June 12 concert at Club Quattro. This was a rollicking three-hour affair, reminiscent at times of The Pogues, and even of Springsteen, all the while grooving on a foundation of Japanese soul. |
  SFU sometimes performs as a folkier incarnation called Mononoke Summit, but on this night the band was in full rock-out mode. The show was replete with loud dance tunes and successful grand gestures; the audience bopped and sang along from first note to last. Occasionally SFU mixed up the pace with longer jams, but, as is so often the case, these semi-rambling improvs proved less memorable that the punchy numbers.  |
For Westerners in Japan cautious of attempting penetration into the Japanese music world, a Soul Flower Union show is splendid place to start. Though I have little command of Japanese and came to the show as a SFU neophyte, the universality of the music, the obvious enjoyment and professionalism of the band, and the community feeling of the crowd dispelled any reservations from the get-go. And because much of the band's music has an Irish heart, anyone who favors that green island's sound will quickly find comfort here.
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| In terms of live performance, SFU isn't content merely to coast on a catalog of spirited songcraft. This band thinks about its physical impression on stage, and comes to work. At Quattro, sweat-drenched lead singer and main man Nakagawa-san energized partygoers with committed leadership and off-the-cuff cheery banter. A sense of organized chaos native to all good rock 'n' roll ruled the night. |
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SFU's musicianship was tight, featuring a particularly kickass bass. A parade of instruments went to and fro throughout the evening, and the band pulled off a variety of styles without forcing anything. The rhythm section was confident and reassuring throughout, under girding the operation to provide a sense of discipline and consistency.Overall, a ripping show, not to mention, at several thousand yen less than foreign acts charge, great value for money. |
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report by jab and photo by yegg |
 mag files : Soul Flower Power : (04/06/12 @ Shisaibashi Quattro) : photo by yeggphoto report : (04/06/12 @ Shisaibashi Quattro) : photo by yeggphoto report : (04/06/11 @ Shibuya 251) : photo by hanasanphoto report : (04/06/09 @ Shimokitazawa 251) : photo by hanasan僕たちはみんな同じ血の色をしている : (04/03/09 @ Osaka Banana Hall) : review by ken, photo by yeggphoto report : (04/03/09 @ Osaka Banana Hall) : photo by yeggphoto report : (01/09/27 @ Shinjuku Liquid Room) : photo by hanasan |
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The official site of Soul Flower Union http://www.breast.co.jp/soulflower/ The latest single :  " 極東戦線異状なし!?" 11 tracks single??? |
The latest album : " シャローム・サラーム"
『LOVE±ZERO』
『スクリューボール・コメディ』 『緑の沖縄 [MAXI] 』 by 登川誠仁 with ソウル・フラワー・ユニオン 『UNCHAIN』 『アジール・チンドン』 『レヴェラーズ・チンドン』 『High Tide And Moonlight Bash』 『WINDS FAIRGROUND』 『MARGINAL MOON』 『宇宙フーテン・スイング [MAXI] 』 『エエジャナイカ [MAXI] 』 『ELECTRO AGYL-BOP』 『GHOST HITS 93~96』 『ワタツミ・ヤマツミ』 『カムイ・イピリマ』 『青天井のクラウン [SINGLE] 』 『EACH LITTLE THING [MAXI] 』 『向い風 [SINGLE] 』 『満月の夕 [SINGLE]』 VIDEO 『ゴースト・キネマ 1993~1997』 check the albums? |
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previous works by jab  2004Soul Flower Power Soul Flower Union : (12th June @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro)
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