My relationship with Japanese music began many years ago through cinema and anime. I loved the Akira soundtrack made by Geinō Yamashirogumi (芸能山城組), they made a mix of folk and electronic music that is strange and fascinating, I still listen to it from time to time. Then I discovered Ondekoza (鬼太鼓座), I think I heard them in the soundtrack of an old movie, and I started to get interested in folk music and the kumi-daiko (taiko group), they play those drums with so much passion.
Anime has beautiful music. Through it you can discover so many talented composers and musicians such as: Yuki Kajiura (梶浦由記), Yoko Kanno (菅野よう子), Kenji Kawai (川井憲次), I really like their music.
Every now an then you hear an opening or ending song of your favorite serie that get stuck in your head:
I remember Minako Honda (本田美奈子), I loved her single "Kaze no Uta" (風のうた).
Akira Sudou (須藤 あきら) and her single "Waiting for YOU".
Masaaki Endoh (遠藤正明) and his epic theme: "戦士よ、起ち上がれ!".
And so many more that the list could be endless...
How could I forget of master Seiji Yokoyama (横山菁児)! his work is so huge, so many beautiful simphonic tracks.
I really love Ado and i'm also a big fan of imase!(do you know him?) But there are so many more really good artists over there, like Fuji Kaze, Creepy nuts, Yaosobi, Pmarusama。,Honeyworks, Ryokuoushoku Shakai....