Osamu Kitajima
Osamu Kitajima 喜多嶋 修 | |
---|---|
Also known as | Justin Heathcliff |
Born | Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan |
Genres | |
Years active | 1960s–present |
Labels | Island Records Alfa East Quest Records Cyber Octave Mesa/Bluemoon |
Website | www |
Osamu Kitajima (喜多嶋 修), also known by the pseudonym Justin Heathcliff, is a Japanese musician, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.
History
After studying the classical guitar and the piano as a child,
After this album, he dropped the pseudonym and in 1974 released his debut album, Benzaiten (Island Records), under his own name. This instrumental electronic music album was melodically rich and can be defined as a mix of progressive rock and traditional Japanese music.[3] The album also featured Haruomi Hosono and it utilized various electronic equipment such as a synthesizer, rhythm machine, electronic drums, electric guitars, and electric bass.[3]
In 1974, he moved to the
Wishing to explore the expanding world of dance and electronica music, Kitajima began his collaboration with instrumentalist/composer/producer Chris Mancinelli. During the early 1990s the production team initiated a partnership by producing and arranging the albums of many artists in the Asian markets for Warner Bros, Sony Music, Toshiba-EMI, and Pony Canyon Records. These included remixes for the Warner Bros. release of
Kitajima began to receive even wider interest in the West when the track "You Know What I Mean" was featured on the Asian volume of the
In 2000, he founded East Quest Records, Inc., a record company.[citation needed]
In 2004, he earned a doctorate in music therapy.[1]
Personal life
He married Yōko Naitō in 1970. They have three children; one of their daughters, Mai Kitajima, is an actress.[5]
Discography (selection)
- Justin Heathcliff – Justin Heathcliff (1971)
- Fumio & Osamu – Shinchuugoku (1972) (フミオ* & オサム* – 新中国)
- Benzaiten (1974) (弁才天)
- Osamu (1977) (オサム)
- Masterless Samurai (1978) (素浪人)
- Dragon King (1979)
- Face to Face (1983)
- The Source (1986)
- Passages (1987)
- In Minds Way (1987)
- FM Shrine (1987)
- California Roll (1988)
- Sweet Chaos (1990)
- Mandala (1991) (曼荼羅)
- Behind the Light (1992)
- Beyond the Circle (1996, EP)
- Breath of Jade (2001)
- Two Bridges Crossed (w/ Chris Mancinelli) (2004)
- The Sound of Angel (2004)
- Epitome (2009)
- The Sacred Land: NHK HD Documentary Soundtrack (2010)
- Over the Brink (2013)
- Torii In The Sea (2019)
- Around the Edges (2020)
References
- ^ a b c "Osamu Kitajima biography at nippop.com". Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ 喜多嶋修 (in Japanese). Tower Records. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ a b Osamu Kitajima – Benzaiten (1974) at Discogs
- ^ 喜多嶋修 作曲家/音楽プロデューサー (in Japanese). Retrieved 1 January 2014..
- Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
External links
- Dr. Osamu Kitajima's Website
- Osamu Kitajima at Forced Exposure
- "Justin Heathcliff – Justin Heathcliff (1971) album review". jrawk.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012.
- Osamu Kitajima biography by Craig Harris, discography and album reviews, credits & releases at AllMusic
- Osamu Kitajima discography, album releases & credits at Discogs.com
- Osamu Kitajima albums to be listened as stream at Spotify.com