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Joujouka with Sandii Surprise
Recently I've been seeing Joujouka's name on club event flyers. It's quite usual in Japan for band members to DJ and by that score this band is no exception. I'd never heard them play or spin so I thought I would wander over to the Field of Heaven and check them out. On the way I passed the White Stage where Leftfield had just started played. I stopped and listened but didn't feel grabbed. I wasn't dancing so off I went.
By the time I reached Heaven, Joujouka were into their first song. Before I reached the stage I was dancing. These guys are HOT!!! They dish totally funked out bass in hip-hop time, though to be honest I am at a loss for words to describe exactly why they hit my buttons. I'm a bass junky. If it's funky I'll mooooove. And they delivered. But seriously, that first track was powerful.
They are a three-piece, like so many of the Japanese bands this year at Fuji. But they're not really a band. Guitar is the only instrument played - the rest is synthesizers, effects, samples and loops but the end product is tight, inspired and danceable. I was impressed.
So then, what happens? The biggest surprise for me so far at this festival is what. For the second track, suddenly Sandii from Sandii and Sunsets appeared right of stage in full Hawaiian regalia. She looked more beautiful than ever, in fact, even the security guards were taking turns to come out front and look and take pictures. She was a vision conjured by the gods.
The third track was a totally funked out version of the Mama's and Papa's classic "Dancing in the Streets," but with Sandii's sweet lyrical vocals. Wow! What a twist. After that was a song in Hawaiian. At one point Sandi was even rapping. I guess Joujouka usually sample the vocals when they perform. I will know soon because as soon as I see another flyer with their name on it, I'll be the first one through the door.
 
Reported by Jude (2000,7.30 / 22:01)
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