Afrirampo - Never Ending Afrirampo

I've been hesitant to upload this as it's a new release but I've had quite a few people asking about it and it doesn't look like it'll be getting a release outside of Japan. So as a compromise I'm uploading the CD portion of the boxset. And trust me you'll want to see the great DVDs too. (A small sample below)

"Never Ending Afrirampo" is a CD a 2xDVD boxset of their final live show at Shangri la in Osaka on June 26th 2010. Along with a CD and DVD of their Shangri la show the second DVD features a ton of previously unseen footage including their incredible (Actual) final secret show at Bears with a guest list of onstage collaborations that reads like a who's who of the Osaka underground scene. Hide (Ultra Bidet), Oshiri Pen Penz, Kawabata (Acid Mothers Temple), Watushi Zombie, Doddodo, Outdoor Homeless and many others. Overall there's over 3 hours of great footage making it a fitting tribute to one of Osaka's best loved noise makers.

Like I said before I doubt this will get a release outside Japan but the DVDs are region free making it import friendly. It's a little pricey but is definatley worth it for any Afrirampo fan. Pika also makes a brief appearence on the new Yamp Kolt album "Yes".



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Moon Mama - 幸せの可視

Next up is Pika's solo album. Released back in late 2008 under her solo moniker Moon Mama. Pika's offering is a much more low key affair than Oni's album. Heading in much the same direction as Oni's solo work, gone for the most part is the ecclectic noise in favour of stripped down acoustic songs. The album is a collection of bedroom recordings that sound like they were recorded on a 4 track tape recorder. It's very lo-fi, personal and intimate but unfortunatley the quality of the songs is just not up to the level of Oni's work. Still worth a look for diehard fans but it's hard to reccomend for ayone else.

Pika still plays occasional solo live sets but also plays with Jim O'Rourke (Who has lived in Tokyo for the last 2 years.) very regularly in Tokyo and Osaka and very occasionally performs with her all-girl-supergroup side project Monmon Tonight.

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Oni - Sunwave Heart

Apologies for the lengthy hiatus. Just moved flat and things have been a little hectic recently. Anyway as promised here are the respective solo albums from Afrirampo members Oni and Pika. First up is Oni's "Sunwave Heart" released earlier this year. Some Afrirampo fans may be a little dissapointed by the lack of screaming guitars and rampant noise that defined the Afrirampo experience but Oni's first solo effort still manages to stand shoulder to shoulder with her former band. It's out with the noise and in with stripped down, energetic folk ditties. That's right I said folk. No drums, no distortion, no screaming... well maybe a little bit of screaming. But don't worry the token Afrirampo craziness is still there and what you have here is a genuinely charming and lovely album. Enjoy.

Oni is currently doing occasional live shows playing her solo material and sporadically plays alongside one of the many Acid Mothers Temple lineups. 

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Afrirampo - We Are Uchu No Ko

The final album by Osaka legends (and the 2 lovely ladies currently at the top this page.) before announcing their dissolution a few months back. I was lucky enough to watch their final public gig back in June. They also played one extra final invite only show at Namba Bears which included alot of onstage collaborations with members of Acid Mothers Temple, Boredoms and Ultra Bide among others. Apparently the show was recorded so hopefully it's released at some point.

Afrirampo are (were) a guitar/drums duo who created some rather unique trashy, playfull and quite frankly bizarre bedroom rock. You'll either love it of hate it but either it won't fail to make you smile. Their final album "We Are Uchu No Ko" (We are space girls) is split into 2 disks. Disk 1 is what you come to expect from Afrirampo while the 2nd is 6 tracks split into 2 sections. The first is a version of a track from guitarist Oni's solo album and the second a solo track written by drummer Pika giving a nice preview for their solo material. This album is also being released on Mogwai's Rock Action label in a few weeks so pick it up if you get the chance. 

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