This Biography is from the lost PUSSYFOOT RECORDS UK year of 2001
Although Kensuke Shiina is our man in Japan most of his releases on Pussyfoot have had an Indonesian twist. This fascination began in 1981 when Kensuke visited the island of Bali to record a Gamelan orchestra - at the time he was working as a radio director but that first visit made a big impression.
In 1983 he discovered a blend of music called Dangdut (Indian film songs, Islamic culture and Indonesian popular music with a Western rock twist). If that sounds like a mixed bag then you can understand why it took him a few years to introduce the music to the people of Japan.
Through 1986-1989 Kensuke continued with his radio work but also began to DJ in clubs and the odd fashion show. Then in 1990 he became A&R and recording director at Wave Records, working on studio sessions in Jakarta, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
In 1993 he went freelance as a producer, composer and programmer, producing three albums for Japanese hip hop group 'The Gasboys'.
Then in 1995 he hooked up with Howie B and Pussyfoot released his track 'Insomniac' on Pussy 003. Since then he has recorded 'Ring Of Fire' (Pussy 011) and contributed 'Numbers In The Air' to the 'Pussy Galore' album. He collaborated with Manabu Nagayama on the 'Fish Smell Like Cat' compilation and together they concoted the serene downbeat groove 'The Sound Is...'.
In February 1998 Pussyfoot released a double E.P. of remixes of the superb 'Ring Of Fire'. Featuring a host of Japanese talent the E.P. includes reworkings by Chari Chari, Mr. Tanaka of Fantastic Plastic Machine, Arrow Tour and Mad Vibes.
hello shiina! is very nice to hear from you and i am most happy to be the first to make a comment here. it is good. i look forward to new news. what's happening? many greetings from berlin, colin
