ovall – don’t care who knows that

When going through the solo work of Mabanua, Shingo Suzuki and Shingo Sekiguchi, three urban soul and hip-hop producers from Japan with a sensibility for abstract concepts, it seems logical that they would form a group together. Ovall, as the trio is called, have delivered an inspired and lively debut album, Don’t Care Who Knows That, on their native Origami Productions. Anyone intrigued by uplifting soul that dabbles with hip-hop, jazz and funk equally should be looking this way.

The album drifts between lively and improvised instrumental tunes such as ‘Mary (Flying Beats)‘, which seem to capture the essence of a smokey underground club in Shibuya, and more structured tracks like ’Secret Time’ or ’Meaning of Love’, the latter two being catchy and cool soul recordings with Mabanua taking the lead on the vocals. Guests from outside Japan add some spice to the latter on the delightful ’The Skin I’m In’ featuring Wayna and Ken Starr. In fairness, though, Ovall possess plenty of talent by their lonesome, with tracks like ’The Flamme’ proving some of the best on the album, where their talent is showcased by some tantalizing drums and an awesome riff for the break.

Ovall’s debut brings us nothing short of groovy, jam-oriented instrumental music that instils and sustains a mood with each song. Given their musical chemistry, the trio should get a crowd moving as a live act. And given their talent, it shouldn’t be long before we see more of them outside of Japan. Sven Carlsson

Ovall on Soundcloud

Buy Don’t Care Who Knows That

Written on Tuesday 16 February 2010
Tags: Debut, Don't Care Who Knows That, Hip-hop, Instrumental, Japan, Mabanua, Origami Productions, Ovall, Shingo Suzuki, Soul, Thirdiq