Dragon

• Artist: Jake Shimabukuro
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 04, 2005
• Genre: Rock

Review

It's hardly surprising that this Hawaiian-born ukulele master so impressed Béla Fleck that the jazz-banjo great had Jake Shimabukuro not only open concerts, but also record with the Flecktones. Just as Fleck revolutionized the way musicians and fans heard the banjo, Shimabukuro -- in 2002, he was the first uke player from Hawaii to sign with Epic Records International -- takes his instrument out of the traditional Don Ho gentle-pluck realm and into an explosive multi-genre landscape. Rock/fusion aficionados will love the snappy intensity of Dragon's rumbling opening jam, "Shake It Up!," which pits his lightning quick, flamenco-flavored runs over crackling electric guitar and feisty programming. This frenetic track may prepare the listener for a chops-heavy project, but it's clear that Shimabukuro is equally interested in strong melodies and harmonies, and stylistic variety. The title track, inspired by longtime hero Bruce Lee, has a more traditional Asian flavor, complemented with symphonic synth washes which add a tasty mix of beauty and drama. Aside from his versatile playing, the collection's strength lies in its unpredictability from track to track. So while the laid-back "Circle of Friends" would be comfortable amongst any of smooth jazz guitarist Marc Antoine's best works, "3rd Stream" is exotic, percussive jazz designed as a bubbly showcase for Shimabukuro's great dexterity, and "Touch" taps into a melancholy classical mode. The string section, arranged and conducted by Matt Catingub, play a prominent, romantic role throughout. You can feel the island breezes here and there, but Shimabukuro's approach to his native instrument is equally at home on the gritty streets of Manhattan. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Shake It Up!	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(2:59)
Dragon	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(4:06)
Circle of Friends	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(3:15)
Me & Shirley T.	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(3:39)
Floaters	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(2:21)
3rd Stream	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(5:08)
Touch	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(3:34)
En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor	Joaquín Rodrigo	Jake Shimabukuro	(5:03)
Toastmanland	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(3:35)
Making a Perfect Yesterday	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(2:24)
Looking Back	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(5:19)
With U Always [*]	Jake Shimabukuro	Jake Shimabukuro	(3:45)

Credits

Noel Okimoto (Drums), Jake Shimabukuro (Liner Notes), Claire Hazzard (String Quartet), Jake Shimabukuro (Producer), Dean Taba (Bass), Anna Womack (String Quartet), Béla Fleck (Author), Jake Shimabukuro (Programming), Noel Okimoto (Rhythm Arrangements), Matt Catingub (Conductor), Hung Wu (Violin), Claire Hazzard (Violin), Claire Hazzard (Leader), Hung Wu (String Quartet), Preston Terada (Graphic Design), Jake Shimabukuro (Audio Production), Jake Shimabukuro (Drum Loop), Karen Bechtel (Cello), Jake Shimabukuro (Keyboards), Ignace Jang (Violin), Jake Shimabukuro (Guitar (Electric)), Takaoki Saito (Engineer), Karen Bechtel (String Quartet), Jake Shimabukuro (Rhythm Arrangements), Hideo Oida (Photography), Anna Womack (Viola), Takaoki Saito (Mixing), Dean Taba (Rhythm Arrangements), Jake Shimabukuro (Guitar), Matt Catingub (String Arrangements), Sandra Wong (Viola), Judy Barrett (Violin), Karen Fujimoto (Cello), Matt Catingub (String Conductor), Jake Shimabukuro (Ukulele), Jake Shimabukuro (Piano), Jake Shimabukuro (Guitar (Acoustic))

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Dragon	Dragon Figurine
dragon	Dragon Image