Ryukyu-no (Okinawan) Rock – JET

On Okinawa, most musicians jam with more than one band.
On those nights when Kochan is unavailable, Atsushi and Tachi take turns sitting-in on the drums. Both are members of the Asian-music style band Taiyofu Orchestra and former JET band drummers.

(Photos of Atsushi and Tachi Courtesy of Hiroshi Hamaguchi)

JET Member Combo#1

In 1994, Live Music Bar JET was named after the original members of the JET band (seen here in 1974 pix when they were known as Kotobuki). The members are considered some of the pioneers of the well-known Ryukyu-no (Okinawan) Rock movement that began on Okinawa in the late ’60s and early ’70s.

JET Member Combo#2

In 1995, Jimmy became unable to play for several months. During that time, Kazufumi picked-up the role of the JET guitarist (Etsu and Taki continued as drummer and bassist) until Jimmy later returned. Kazufumi remained connected and occasionally stood-in as a guest guitarist when Eddie was unavailable. Kazufumi finally became the main guitarist in 2010.

JET Member Combo#3

Due to personality differences, Etsu decided to go his own way in November 1996. After Etsu departed Hayase Shiroma, a young 17 year-old, took on the role of JET drummer. However, he too failed to withstand the test of time and departed in March 1998.

(Photo courtesy of Hiroshi Hamaguchi)

JET Member Combos #6 & #4

Finally in March 1998, Atsushi and Tachi took on the role of the Sunday and Thursday night JET drummers. They continued to play in the band until the end of December 2001 when it was decided to close Bar JET on those nights.

(Photos of Atsushi and Tachi Courtesy of Hiroshi Hamaguchi)

JET Member Combo#5

At the same time in March 1998, Kochan stepped-in as the primary Friday and Saturday night drummer. This led to the band most Okinawan fans associate with the name JET. And in 2001, bassist Taki Furugen financed and released the first independent JET CD of seven original songs.

(Photos Courtesy of Hiroshi Hamaguchi)

JET Member Combo #7

In May 2004, Jimmy became unable to continue his duties. Appin carried-on as JET band guitarist and became the official guitarist in September 2004. In 2005 , bassist Taki Furugen financed and released the second independent JET CD, Rock ‘Till the Morning Sun, consisting of seven original and two cover songs. As with most of the other former JET members, Appin chose to continue his music career in a different direction and played as the band’s guitarist until the end of August 2006.

(Click on image to view large size)

JET Member Combo #8

As of September 2006, two new members joined the Ryukyu Island rock band JET, Mimi on keyboards/vocals and her husband Eddie on guitar/vocals.

This combination of JET members produced a reunion of the island’s former ’80s rock band Bullet.

(Click on images to view large size)

JET Member Combo #9

As of April 2010, Mimi and Eddie have gone on separate ways and play at various island functions.

The new Ryukyu Island rock band JET combo consists of Kochan on drums, Taki on bass, and JETsun (and JET combo #2 guitarist) Kazufumi on guitar.

JET Member Combo #10

On 26 March 2016, Kochan ended his 18 year reign as the JET primary drummer. As of 1 April 2016, the position will be filled by Kiyoshi Motobu. Kiyoshi is a promising 23 year old local drummer, who is also part of local band Veibeez.

Along with the change, Kiyoshi is sure to add his own special flavor to this new Ryukyu Island rock band JET combo of Taki on bass,

Kazufumi on guitar,

and Kiyoshi on drums.

Cover Design: Haruki Yoshida
(Click on image to view large size)

1.Rock `Till the Morning Sun
Music by Taki
Lyrics by Dawn & Taki

2.Rollin`
Music by Taki
Lyrics by Dawn & Taki

3.Tequila Rose
Music by James E. Kirk
Lyrics by James (Jim) E. Kirk & Taki & Carlos Saldana

4.My Angel
Music by Taki
Lyrics by Dawn & Taki

5.Sunset Days
Music by Taki
Lyrics by Dawn & Taki

6.Black Pearl
Music & Lyrics by Bryan Adams

7.I`ve Got This Feelin`
Music by Taki
Lyrics by Dawn & Taki

8.Whiskey Bottle Blues
Music by Taki
Lyrics by Dawn & Taki

9.Radar Love
Music & Lyrics by George Kooymans & Barry Hay

Cover Design: Haruki Yoshida

(Click on images to view large size)

Guitar… Atsushi (Appin) Shinjo
Drums/vocals… Koji (Kochan or Kozi) Nagahama
Bass guitar/lead vocals… Takashi (Taki) Furugen

Supporting musicians that are featured on the CD and helped make it a reality

Keyboards… Hajimu Takeda
Harp… Shinjyu Arakaki
Back Vocals & Chorus… Carlos J. Saldana

(Photos Courtesy of Hiroshi Hamaguchi)

1.I’ve Got This Feelin’
Lyrics by Taki, Dawn
Music by Taki

2.Take Me Back (English Version)
Lyrics by Taki, Dawn
Music by Taki

3.If You Love Me
Lyrics & Music by Taki

4.Cool Cats
Music by Jimmy

5.Dokata Blues
Lyrics & Music by Koji Nagahama

6.Take Me Back (Japanese Version)
Lyrics & Music by Taki

7.Summer Breeze
Music by Jimmy

Guitar/vocals…Jimmy Ginoza
Drums/vocals…Koji (Kozi) Nagahama
Bass guitar/lead vocals…Taki Furugen

The musicians first played together in the early seventies in a band known as Kotobuki. Kochan (Koji) quit Kotobuki in 1972 and eventually joined Marie with Medusa. In the `80s he joined forces with George Murasaki in the band Okinawa, as well as Taki in Bullet in the mid-’80s, and in the `90s Katchan in Katchan Band.

Jimmy and Taki continued to play as Kotobuki, with various drummers, until their departure to Guam in 1976. In Guam they played Japanese tourist hotels as Prism.

Taki moved to the U.S. in 1978, playing and recording with STP (Steve Tingen Plus) in Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas. He returned to Okinawa in 1980 and helped form the band Bullet with Mimi and Eddie, which played the Okinawan military circuit and various local concerts throughout the `80s.

Jimmy remained in Guam until 1983, rejoining Taki in Bullet in 1988. Etsu Aguni of Condition Green, and a former Kotobuki drummer, hooked-up with Jimmy and Taki in 1994, leading to the formation of JET. Etsu quit in November 1996 and Koji finally rejoined Taki and Jimmy in March 1998.

Also heard on the CD is keyboardist Yutaka Tajima (seen here at the annual Peaceful Love Rock Festival).

Photos Courtesy of Hiroshi Hamaguchi