1995年、アル・グリーンを70年代の大スターへと仕立てた傑物、ウイリー・ミッチェルのプロデュース、メンフィスは「ローヤル・レコーディング・スタジオ」録音によるアルバム「SOUL JOINT」で逆輸入デビュー。このアルバムは日本に続いて、アメリカ、イギリスでも矢継ぎ早に発売され、メンフィスで行われたデビュー・ショウケイスの模様は日本人としては初めてメンフィスの「名誉市民」の栄を浴すというトピックもあり、CNNで全世界に配信される。日本でもテレビ朝日の「ニュース・ステーション」が特集枠を組み、この模様は「大型国際派シンガーのデビュー」と大々的に放映される。
1997年には全編日本語詞によるセカンド・アルバム「SOUL FOOD」を発表、国内での活動を軌道に乗せる。これを機に、リアルなドメスティックなソウル・サウンドというものを独自に追求し始めたORITOは某雑誌の対談でK DUB SHINEと邂逅、そこでブラック・ミュージックに浸かったパフォーマーがどう日本語に取り組んでいくべきかという点で意気投合、1997年にK DUB SHINEが発表したソロ・アルバム「現在時刻」に収録された「独り言」で共演を果たす。ここで彼と共有されたアーティスト・マインドがその後のORITOの歩みに決定的なヒントをもたらす。
サード・アルバムの制作もこれとほぼ同時期にスタートを切り、T.KURA、ゴンザレス鈴木といったプロデューサーとのコラボレートにより、日本人R&Bシンガーとしての前例のない新たな地平を切り開いていく。その中から、98年の10月にはゴンザレス鈴木＆ハウス・ファンデーションのプロデュースによるボズ・スキャッグスのカヴァ「Low Down」のディープ・ハウス・リメイクをリリース。これはクラブで即刻人気の盤となり、限定でプレスされた12インチ・シングルは発売後約1週間で品切れとなる。その人気のほどを裏付けるように、「Low Down」 はN.Y.のハウスDJ、トニー・ハンフリーズのプレイ・リストにもピック・アップされるという栄誉も掴む。加え、アルバムの目玉となるDJ HASEBEとのプロジェクトも発進、そうして生まれたのが「Dj. Feelgood」、「Forever Close To You」の2曲である。ハードエッジなビートに日本語とは思えないリズミカルなリリックの乗る「Dj. Feelgood」は、更にK DUB SHINEのゲスト・ラップが加わったヴァージョンも誕生し、寺を舞台にしたビデオも話題を集めて、その名を一挙に広めていく。
2002年にシングル「Finga Play」をリリース後、結果的に長期の休養を挟む事となったが
本物が望まれて久しいこの2007年、いよいよ男性ソウルシンガーの本命として新たなスタートを切る。
It took only seconds before Willie Mitchell, a Grammy-winning producer, recognized the man's talent. Mr. Mitchell vividly recalls the day he first met this man who traveled all the way from Japan to knock on the door of his Memphis Royal Studio in 1991. At this legendary studio, Mitchell had recorded the songs of numerous artists such as Al Green, O.V. Right, and Otis Clay, recordings that later became R&B classics and shined his career with over 100 Gold and Platinum records.
"He's been to the studio several times - the very first visit was actually in 1991. He saw my face an' started singin' Aretha Franklin's 'Ain't No Way'. I said, "hey, here's a Japanese guy actually tryin' to sing R&B!" Mitchell continues. "But you know, I could tell this guy wasn't just trying to sing some R&B tune - he was tryin' to express his own feelings. That's what makes a good singer, the kinda thing that makes you wanna work together with a singer."
It is this "feelings"in his vocals that immediately captivated Mitchell and so many other listeners -- the passion and intensity that make the melodies linger and the lyrics tell the stories. And it is his performance that brings songs to life. This is what differentiates him from other contenders and makes this man so special, the singer who simply goes by the name of ORITO.
The story of the songster Orito began when he was born Toshio Orito in 1964. His musical interest grew during his junior high school days when he began singing with a local rock band. As he increasingly became aware of R&B influences on Rock'n' Roll, his interest gradually shifted, eventually leading him to dive into the musical voodoo of Curtis Mayfield, Sly and the Family Stone, Al Green and Miles Davis just to name a few. Spellbound by those legendary artists, he pursued his ambition to become a professional Soul singer. After university, he resumed his musical quest by singing in clubs while working in a trading company to earn a living. His career made a big turn when he visited Memphis as a tourist in 1991. He decided to give a shot at visiting Mitchell's studio, the heart of Memphis soul, where he was to encounter Mitchell who later undertook to produce his record immediately after hearing Orito sing live.
Working multiple jobs to earn money for his dream recording, Orito found himself in the same Memphis Royal Studio two years later, this time, to work on his very first album, with Mitchell guiding him from the mixing booth. Mitchell recounts the recording process: "Once we started recording, we were always puttin' a lot of pressure on Orito, but he came through it all and proved himself an intense worker. The album is the result of the mutual collaboration of Orito and his friends here in Memphis, and I'm glad to say it's one of the best works I've ever done".
This collaborative effort was later given the name Soul Joint and was released through Victor Japan in 1995, followed by the international release in the U.S. and U.K. Warm, tender, sweet, and yet powerful -- Soul Joint showcases Orito's true talent as a "weaver of emotion". He takes his listeners on a journey, reliving the drama of these songs. The 11 musical gems, including covers of the Al Green classic "Let's Stay Together"and Sam Cook's "I'll Come Runnin' Back To You"won critical acclaim, and even brought him a nomination as an Honorary Citizen of Memphis -- home to B.B. King and Al Green. Sung entirely in English, the album astonished many listeners when they found out that such a powerful vocal actually came from a man with oriental background. After the album release, Orito returned to Memphis to throw his debut showcase. Memphis responded feverishly, and the performance was televised by CNN throughout the U.S. and Europe on Cable. And he proved to his audience that he was a true bearer of the spirit of soul, communicating directly with people's hearts. His music transcended cultural boundaries.
Orito followed this success with his sophomore effort Soul Food in 1997. This time, he went back to his another roots, singing the entire album in Japanese. Once again, he was blessed with a chance to work with top-notch artists such as the legendary drummer James Gadson, and also with David T. Walker who performed impeccable guitar riffs on "For The Love of You"(which appears as a B-side track of first single De ja Vu.), a cool remake of the timeless classic by the Isley Brothers.
Winning recognition overseas with his debut album, Orito turned his eyes toward Japan, where there was an emerging hip-hop scene. It didn't take long before Orito caught the attention of Japanese hip-hop crooners such as K-Dub Shine and DJ Hasebe, who quickly saw the genius in Orito's deeply soulful voice and showed strong interest in collaborating with the singer. This idea of 'hip-hop meets soul' led to Orito's next single project in 1999, called "DJ Feelgood". The title is obviously a wordplay based on a classic title of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, "Dr. Feelgood". In the same way the queen once did, he revealed a whole new dimension as an artist and brought excited his listeners, showing a funky chemistry at work --- a blend of phat beats by Hasebe and earthy vocal by Orito that is full of soul. And it was not just Hasebe and other domestic hiphoppers who recognized Orito's unlimited capacity as a singer. When Sisqo, former Dru Hill member, toured Japan in 2000, he heard "DJ Feelgood"and instantly reacted to the song, saying "I feel a lot of D'Angelo in his voice!"
The single "DJ Feelgood"provided Orito a chance to expand his musical horizon and earn a new audience. But this new direction had first found shape months earlier when he had dropped the single "Low Down"(fall 1998)ﾑ a remake of the Boz Scaggz classic, smartly mixed into a House arrangement. It was Orito's first attempt to break into club music, and in no time the song went on heavy rotation among the hottest house spots in Tokyo. Even NYC's legendary House DJ, Tony Humphries picked up this tune for his favorite playlist. Orito quickly linked this club success with hip-hop flavored "DJ Feelgood", which was warmly welcomed by the Japanese club audience. With two bona fide hits under his belt, he released his third album Lost And Found in October 1999. In support of this album release, he kicked off his club circuit at Club Harlem, the mecca of hip-hop map here in Tokyo. He excited "the club kids"with his brand new set of songs. He then performed at Vuenos Tokyo, another joint in the Shibuya Hiphop district. There he dedicated a night to the late Curtis Mayfield who had passed away only weeks earlier, a true legend of soul who made an everlasting impact on Orito's life. Once again, proving his forte as a live performer, Orito keeps experimenting his stage and astonishing audiences with his versatility exploring further the root of Rhythm & Blues.
Orito says, "For me, singing is just like a guide for my journey. It brings me to the places and people that I would never dream of. And I think that music itself is also a sonic and spiritual journey. So many people have been living in it and sharing it. Basically, I don' set any specific goal for my journey, simply because my focus is how I go and how I enjoy the process. After all, nobody knows where Life will take you next. Right?"
In whatever style he performs, one thing remains the same --- he displays pure joy and love in interacting with his audience, making a spiritual connection that allows every listener to 'experience' the emotion of the songs. And this is the magic of Orito's performance; what defines 'soulful' -- full of intense sensitivity and deep feeling. His resonant, impassioned voice will no doubt seek more and higher feeling, taking us on ever-new journeys. You be the witness.
Yuuki Kamada
