Blair Mcbride - The Japan Times

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Blair Mcbride

For Blair Mcbride's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Mar 25, 2011

Dubstep acts Ena, Helixir to play Module

The dubstep sound — characterized by 2-step garage beats and deep, undulating bass lines — that began in London about a decade ago has caught on somewhat in Tokyo and evolved into its own scene. It's still relatively young, but groups of Japanese and foreign artists are injecting their own energy and talent.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Sep 7, 2010

U.S. Navy 'Friendship Festival' draws line at the French

Could it be that the Friendship Day festivals held at the U.S. Navy Negishi Housing Base are not as friendly as the name suggests?

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jul 9, 2010

DJ Towa Tei "Motivation H"

"Motivation H" compiled by DJ Towa Tei is the latest addition to this local DJ's long, international career in dance music. This CD is the eighth in his Motivation series — this one coinciding with the swanky Hotel H parties he began last summer at Fai Aoyama in Tokyo.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jun 18, 2010

Various Artists "The Best Soccer Songs"

This eclectic compilation released by the Japan Football Association throws together pop, rock, funk and dancey Brazilian soccer anthems to accompany the emotional rush of the World Cup.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

May 28, 2010

DJ Fumiya: "DJ Fumiya in the Mix"

Starting out as a hip-hop DJ at age 14, DJ Fumiya's career has got bigger and broader. He joined the eclectic Japanese hip-hop group Rip Slyme as the main producer at 18, and with Fumiya manning the gear the outfit won a slew of prestigious MTV awards over the last decade, including the first million-selling Japanese hip-hop album. A jack of all musical trades, he has also produced and remixed artists such as Yo-King, Fantastic Plastic Machine and Mr. Children. His latest release, "DJ Fumiya in the Mix," is an effervescent electro-house production that is both living-room and dance-floor friendly. This album will have party people scrambling for their dancing shoes with its array of genres. Fumiya knows how to blend house, electro and breakbeat together with generous amounts of relentless, thumping funkiness. The groove builds steadily from the start and swings between pounding tunes, such as Laidback Luke & Diplo's "Hey," and more playful tracks, like Riva Starr's "I Was Drunk."

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

May 21, 2010

A powerful flood of change threatens to wash through the Tokyo rock scene courtesy of the upcoming Rogue Wave event on May 25.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Mar 19, 2010

Japan's dubstep forges own path

Young people dressed in baggy jeans and hooded sweaters groove to chunky rhythms in a dark, smoky club. The music is spun by the night's DJ, Goth-trad. It may look like any other club, but the style is unique to Japan.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST

Dec 16, 2008

Young 'Zainichi' Koreans look beyond Chongryon ideology

Imagine attending school with portraits of the late North Korean dictator, Kim Il Sung, and current leader Kim Jong Il hanging on the classroom walls. This is a reality at schools operated by the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.

For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on

By Lance Henderstein

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo

Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo

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