NiNa

NiNa are a six-piece group formed in 1999 containing Kate Pierson (a member of the B52s), bassist Mick Karn (from the British group Japan), vocalist YUKI (from the Japanese rock band Judy and Mary), Takemi Shima and Masahide Sakuma, Japanese musicians from the Plastics, and Steven Wolf, the session drummer. Sakuma Masahide composed most of the music with input from Pierson and Yuki who also wrote the lyrics. From the 30-second opening track, which starts with ominous techno music and ends with Yuki and Pierson exclaiming “Hello everybody nice to meet you we’re NiNa,” the band’s eponymous and only album is very diverse.

The distinctive album contains a wide variety of music from straight forward ballads to electronica. Credited as a “conceptual and visual agent provocateur”, Shima appears to have played a Brian Eno-like role on the recording. The album and two singles which proceeded it were all hits in Japan but are unfortunately almost unknown in other parts of the world.

NiNa

1. Take 27
2. Super Hero
3. Hairspray
4. Aurora Tour
5. In The Park
6. Rest In Peace
7. Hashi Yasume
8. Route 246
9. Happy Tomorrow
10. Old Delhi
11. I Remember You
12. Film
13. When I Ask You