TAKiO SPIRIT (1990)

Artist Profile

• ITOTAKiO & TRYINTIMES

  Rooted in the tradition of Japanese folk music, Takio Ito has pioneered new possibilities for minyo by boldly incorporating elements of rock, jazz, funk, and a wide range of other musical genres. His powerful and deeply expressive voice, combined with performances by exceptional musicians who transcend musical boundaries, has created a sound unlike anything that came before. Rather than simply reproducing traditional folk songs, he has reimagined them as contemporary music, giving new life to the sound of Japan. From the 1980s through the 1990s, Takio Ito & TRYIN'TIMES released numerous works and performed on stages both in Japan and beyond, driven by a strong commitment to bringing minyo to life as music for the contemporary world. The band played an important role in connecting Japanese folk traditions with contemporary music, blending the distinctive phrasing and breath of minyo with the dynamic energy of a live band. Through this fusion, they brought the earthy spirit, everyday lives, prayers, and joys embedded in folk songs from across Japan powerfully to contemporary audiences. One of the most significant expressions of this approach was Ito's reinterpretation of Hokkaido folk music, including his signature piece TAKiO no Soran-bushi. This music later became closely associated with the students of Wakkanai Minami Junior High School in Hokkaido through what became known as NANCHU Soran, and spread into schools and local communities across Japan. From the 1990s onward, Soran-bushi developed into a cultural form performed by generations of children and communities throughout the country, carrying Ito's music far beyond the traditional folk music stage. The name TRYIN'TIMES is also documented in connection with Ito's musical activities, including the 1998 album NIPPONESE SONG ~Ubusuna~, where TRYIN'TIMES is credited on works such as Isahaya Non-noko.

  Artist page