Ryukyu-no (Okinawan) Rock – JET

Here’s the latest on JET music. The CD is going to take longer than expected. From the new projections, it will be released in 4 to 6 weeks. We thank those of you who are being more than patient. [For now, you can hear JET guitarist (Appin) and bassist (Taki) on a newly released CD by the young Japanese duo Nude Voice.] This new JET CD has a combination of JET along with various other artists. The current song line-up consists of 6 originals by Taki and myself (five previously unrecorded songs and one remix), along with one previously unrecorded original that stems from the works of three artists, and two cover songs (due to an overwhelming demand by you for JET style covers). If there is any further change I will let you know.

If you have been keeping up with the site, then you know I’ve made several changes in the past month. I’ve adjusted the size of images in posts to thumbnails in order to accommodate as wide a range of mobile devices as possible. If the image doesn’t first appear on the mobile device, go to the menu and select acquire file. If you are on PC and want to view the original picture, just left click on the image which will take you to the Flickr gallery with the large image.

For those persons who want to view the site via mobile access, there is a problem with images. Not all images are viewable via certain mobile units. In addition, pages and links may not be accessible. I’m trying to work out the kinks with the images and hope to have all the material available soon.

Well, here it is almost the end of summer 2005. We thank all of you who are waiting for the release of the new JET CD. It is still being worked on and hopefully will be ready for release at the end of the month.

About a month ago, I informed you that the band was working on a much awaited for CD. Due to muscle strains and flu viruses, the boys are running a little behind schedule. But JET is still trying to get that CD out to you and aiming for a summer release.

(Click on image to view large size)

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

Taki and Koji first played together in the early seventies in a band known as Kotobuki. Koji quit Kotobuki in 1972 and eventually joined Marie with Medusa. In the ’80s he joined forces with George Murasaki in the band Okinawa, and in the ’90s Katchan in Katchan Band. Koji rejoined Taki in March 1998.

Taki continued to play in Kotobuki until his departure to Guam in 1976. In Guam he played Japanese tourist hotels in Prism. He moved to the U.S. in 1978, playing and recording with STP (Steve Tingen Plus) in Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas. Taki returned to Okinawa in 1980 and helped form the band Bullet, which played the Okinawan military circuit and various local concerts throughout the ’80s. In 1994, the original JET band began when he financed and opened Live Music Bar JET

Appin and Koji originally played together in Katchan Band in the ’90s. Appin had been the JET stand-in guitarist whenever needed for four years. In May 2004, he began playing as JET band guitarist on a regular basis and officially took over the role in September 2004.

The combination of this trio of independent Okinawan musicians culminates in a band that focuses on outstanding music, not outrageous behavior. The result of that combination is a sound that is infused with a seasoned talent that is difficult to match.