Kubozuka's Manji Line project to debut, tour

[Tokyograph News]

Actor Yosuke Kubozuka will be making his CD debut next week. Since 2005, he has been active as a reggae artist under the name Manji LINE, and on June 25 he will release his first, self-titled album.

Kubozuka's acting career has slowed down in the past few years, ever since he survived a fall from his apartment building in 2004. His attention has turned towards his own life with his wife (whom he married in 2003) and his son, as well as his budding music career.

The "Manji LINE" album is being published on an independent label called V.I.P INTERNATIONAL RECORDS, but marketing will apparently be handled by major player BMG Japan. The CD has 16 tracks, with lyrics all written by Kubozuka himself.

Kubozuka has also announced that he will be embarking on a 17-stop nationwide tour in the coming months.

Link to article

I've bought this album, it came in a cardboard sleeve with 2 bonus stickers. Whether Kubozuka is as good a singer as he is/was an actor, is up to everyone's individual opinion though, but I still support him.
I've read that it was sold out pretty much as soon as it was released. I wonder though, whether that's the quality of his music or the fact that it's published by Yosuke Kubozuka. His parties seem to confirm this as hundreds of female guests who don't look like they care much about reggae or rebellion against the system, push toward the stage with their cameras lit, and screaming, once Manji Line appears - while men tend to wonder who the heck that guy is.
I have been to 8 of his live shows so far. Among his co-artists, he usually sticks out as the one who gets the most female attention, and also as the "baby", by which I mean that he still seems to be quite new to it all. Which also makes him less aggressive on a verbal level than some of his more established comrades who get away with telling the crowd to kill homosexuals.
His physical health has taken a blow from his shows which take place almost daily lately. He's lost a lot of weight and if it wasn't for the mole on his right upper jaw, I'd have difficulty recognizing him.

As for his acting slowing down since his fall, rumors have it that it's not only directors shunning him, but also his own decision. Since that day, he's only appeared in movies, not dramas and I think that he's tired of being a part of the very brainless, manipulative and heartless TV world which is why he limits his acting to movies. He has said himself several times that the TV has started to disappoint and even anger him for sacrificing humanity and quality to quotes and money. Although I will miss Kubozuka-dramas, as a student of directing who often gets a look behind the scenes of TV studios I entirely support his decision and share his views on this.

Concluding, I'd like to say that whatever Yosuke is doing now, he seems to be doing it out of the most innocent of convictions and that those who supported the idol Kubozuka, should also try and appreciate the human Kubozuka who is actually quite fun to be around.

[migimaru]

I'm glad to hear he still has support. I would've liked to have seen him perform when he was in L.A., but I found out about it too late. I've yet to hear his music, but I'm definitely curious.

What's your own opinion of the CD?

Hmmm, he remixed a few songs I liked better before such as "Piece of Peace" or "Rhyme de kill TV". Well, the "original" "Piece of Peace" kinda sounded like a song of Akon's so I guess he had to change it but I still think he pretty much crippled it. The album is better than expected though. Honestly, while I love this guy for the way he is and stuff, I don't think he's the best reggae/hiphop/ragga artist out there. His voice reminds me of a sheep XD (sheep are cute though!)

Tracklist & commentary:

01. Rhyme and Law
This is pretty much an intro. Make sure your volume is not kicked up all the way.

02. Goddess of Fortune
Now this one is just awesome. It's noisy, it's hard and it's fast. It's my current ringtone! You may now kick it up and annoy your neighbours. It goes "Goddess of fortune, get your ass down here and if you don't hurry up, then just piss off".

03. Center Entertainer
This song seems his personal favorite. He's released a PV video for this on Youtube and it's also been on MTV.

04. Gooday
We all know this one, right? "A goody goody day and a goody goody night"

05. Summer time angel
Based on the same melody as Gooday, but like, sweeter?

06. Manji Rhyme
He raps quite fast here...

07. Rhyme de kill TV
He changed the track to a more reggae-like tune here, but the lyrics are pretty much the same. Personally, I liked the cheeky intro of the previous version better...

08. Anchi Manji
A slow song about what's Babylon and what he wants. Ofcourse a few bold remarks must be included, ey? Ah God I love him..

09. Kid Anthem
Behold him trying to bark like a dog. Guess his toy poodle wouldn't have produced a satisfying result. Other than that, great song. Fast-paced and noisy but very short (02:12).

10. Remember
His voice is a bit deeper here..

11. Spirit Terrorist
I don't understand everything in the lyrics but something worries me. I just hope he's grown too weak to carry an explosive belt once he's finished his current tour.

12. Piece of Peace
The intro sounds like those blood-sucking midgets buzzing around your ear at night. Really, I preferred the original, Akon-based version. Luckily, I downloaded it

13. Love Story
A song probably dedicated to his Nonchu. Quite sweet. Frustrating to anyone whos name isn't Nonchu.

14. Pray for...
A wonderful, calm, sweet song about how he wishes these ordinary, peaceful days would continue forever. About clouds, sunlight, showers, taking a walk,... I love this one!

15. Kono Oto
He called me a dummy in this song once because I arrived 5 minutes before the end of the party... He pointed at me and sang "Baka" ;__;
He always sings this one at his shows, last time it was "This music (kono oto) is the bridge connecting you and iPhone" when he performed at the Apple store to help sell the iPhone... Have you ever been to a party at a hi-tech store, lights on and told not to bump into any notebooks and iphones which are on display all around you? No? Lucky you!

16. R.I.P. Terry the Aki-06
A sweet song dedicated to his deceased friend and role model (help..), Terry the Aki-06, a reggae and hiphop icon in Osaka. Terry seemed to have taught him alot. From my perspective, Terry was a great tutor, his songs are mostly about pot /sarcasm. I love Terry's music though.
The first part is Yosuke singing a song of Terry's, which is really sweet.

Concerning music, Yosuke still has quite a way to go I think. He's definitely got potential and he seems to enjoy it, so let's cheer for him^^ I only hope he'll be fine after this tour. He performs daily and doesn't look so well. I've been to 4 of his shows in a row, everyday another location very far from the previous and it just can't be healthy.

The album is definitely worth buying but if you want a taste of Japanese reggae and hiphop, also get Terry the Aki-06, Munehiro, Shiba Yankee, G2, Ryo the Skywalker and Bigga Raiji!