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Japanese Shamisen Virtuoso Agatsuma Set to Release the New Album BEYOND on March 9th, 2004 and Perform a Series of U.S. Dates

Tuesday, March 09, 2004

LOS ANGELES, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The shamisen craze that has been sweeping Japan's youth for several years is on its way to becoming a global phenomenon, thanks to musical pioneers like Domo Records recording artist Hiromitsu Agatsuma. Currently, the innovative, genre-defining superstar is preparing to tour the United States in April/May 2004 in support of his forthcoming album, Beyond.

Known worldwide simply as Agatsuma, the young Japanese shamisen master with the rock star stance channels the age-old spirit of the traditional Japanese form as effortlessly as he reinvents it with a stew of modern musical idioms. A true virtuoso, Agatsuma was a prodigy on the banjo-like, long-necked and fretless three-stringed Tsugaru shamisen at age 6, and at age 14 won the top prize in Japan's most prestigious national competition for the genre. His self-titled 2001 Japanese debut album was named "Album Of The Year" by the Gold Disc Awards, Japan's equivalent of a GRAMMY. The follow-up, 2002's Beams -- featuring all original compositions -- became the first contemporary Tsugaru-shamisen album to be released in the U.S. when Domo unleashed it Stateside in January, 2003.

Fusing the soul and softly plaintive twang of traditional Tsugaru-shamisen with an informed mastery of contemporary Western musical idioms, Beams was a landmark in the East-meets-West appeal of the art form that the New York Post called "unusually exotic, yet familiar at the same time." Agatsuma's latest work is showcased on the forthcoming album Beyond, which is set for release on March 9th, 2004. Like its predecessor, Beyond is comprised of wholly original material, and injects shamisen with elements of rock, funk, jazz, techno, funk, and urban and Latin grooves. While modernizing the basics of the ancient genre for today's audiences, Agatsuma has said, "I am careful ... to not make the shamisen sound too much like the guitar but maintain its unique phrases and accents ... I try not to leave the basics behind." That commitment is immediately apparent with Beyond, which both honors tradition and pushes the artistic envelope of shamisen.

Agatsuma will premiere much of his new material for North American audiences -- as well as spotlight past favorites -- with a series of concerts in April 2004.

Agatsuma will be participating in the "Spirit of Washington" Tour. Sponsored by The Japan Society, The Kennedy Center and others who have dedicated their efforts to introducing Japanese culture stateside and promoting mutual understanding between the US and Japan. The common goal is the convey its spirit in hopes for peace, harmony and integrity between the two countries and the global world. Agatsuma will be joined by Za Ondekoza (Japanese Traditional drums) and the Bamboo Orchestra.

     2004 U.S. Tour Dates:
     *  April 8th, 10th, 11th, The Millenium Stage, The Kennedy Center,
        Washington, D.C
     *  April 14th, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg,
        Pennsylvania
     *  April 17th, Japan Society of Boston, Boston, MA
     *  April 24th, Macalester College Saint Paul, MN

                             *MORE DATES TO COME*

Established in 1994, Los Angeles-based Domo Records, distributed by Innovative Distribution Network, is guided by founder Eiichi Naito's mission, "To provide a home for both the creators and aficionados of quality music beyond the borders of categorization," a vision ideal for Agatsuma. The label's diverse roster encompasses new age, rock, world music, smooth jazz and soundtrack releases, and is home to artists including Randy Armstrong, Luis Villegas, Yoshida Brothers, Dave Eggar, Benedetti & Svoboda, Nawang Khechog and legendary composer and musician Kitaro. For more information on Domo Records and Agatsuma, log onto www.domo.com.

SOURCE Domo Records

CONTACT: Michael Jensen, or Meghan Helsel, meghan@jensencom.com, both for Domo Records, +1-626-585-9575

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