Emmerald: How did you get started making club and dance music?
Yukihiro Fukutomi:
When I was working at a club, I started DJing there and eventually started programming after I left a band.
Emmerald: What band was that? What style of music did you all play?
Yukihiro: It was not an interesting band for me. I was not very good as a bass player then!
Emmerald: You are self-taught on the bass?
Yukihiro: Yes.
Emmerald:
Japan seems to be a really "hot" market for"nu-jazz"/"broken beat" music now. Do you agree? If so, why do you think the Japanese audiences are more open to those styles of music than the American and European audiences?
Yukihiro:
I think the that Japanese audience is flexible toward new style of music. Japan is an island country and we have been importing many things, not only cultures. The reason we are open-minded towards new styles of music may attribute to this fact.
Emmerald:
Have you toured in the US? if so, how did audiences here receive you?
Yukihiro:
I haven't toured in the US yet, but I have played in New York and Miami. When I played in New York, Danny Krivit, Jon Cutler, and E-man came and had a great time.
We had a good reception as well!
Emmerald:
"Equality" is your sixth solo album. How has your musical style evolved over the past 10-15 years? What different elements and music making techniques have you used for this album?
Yukihiro: The first two albums were house-oriented.
In the third album released in 1995, I used irregular rhythms and Brazilian scat, which lead to my current style. However, it was not accepted well at the time. I had no solo album release after that.
King Street, however, released a single in 1999 followed by a release by JCR the following year. My style was then very stable.
Emmerald: What electronic equipment do you use in making your music?
Yukihiro: Pro Tools, Digital performer and old synths.
Emmerald:
How did you hook up with Lady Alma and Rich Medina for the "Equality" album? What was it like working with them? Did you have them in the studio or did you transfer tracks via internet?
Yukihiro: Masaya Fantasista of Jazzy Sport (producer of Mitsu the beats) is close to Rich Medina and he hooked me up with him. I transferred tracks via eMail and he worked on them and returned them. The power of technology!
Emmerald: Did you hand-pick the artists with whom you collaborated on the album, or did they contact you?
Yukihiro: It came to me quite naturally. Basically, I had to like their work. Additionally, I had opportunities to meet with those great artists through friends.
Emmerald: Did you work with any other producers on "Equality"?
If so, who?
Yukihiro:
No. It's my solo project with guest vocalists.
Emmerald: What do you look for in a vocalist? What is your style in working with a vocalist?
Yukihiro: By working together with vocalists, I can deliver clearer messages. In the course of working with vocalists, vocalists writes lyrics to my music. They do it freely after I tell them the concept of my music.
Emmerald: What was your inspiration for bringing in so many artists on "Equality?" Is there a theme there?
Yukihiro: I hope the album brings out the message that value of music is fair no matter what the cultural, racial, and generational backgrounds are.
Emmerald: Are you a record collector? If so, what styles of music make up your collection?
Yukihiro:
I own about 15,000 records. Mostly 12" singles and rock LPs that I've owned for a long time and some rare Brazilian stuff. It's not a collector's type of collection though, just a music lover's.
Emmerald: What are you listening to at the moment?
Yukihiro:
New nu-jazz stuff and old house.
Emmerald:
What's one of your favourite remixes that either you've done for someone else or that has been done for one of your songs?
Yukihiro: Recently I did a mix for Orquesta de la Luz (Japanese
no.1 salsa band!). It's called La Puerta (Yukihiro Fukutomi remix) I really like that !
Emmerald: What's next for you?
Yukihiro: I'd really like to tour Europe. That would be excellent !
Emmerald: Have you spent significant time in other parts of the world making or studying or collecting music?
Yukihiro: I have never stayed anywhere other than Tokyo more than two weeks.
Emmerald: Do you have a website?
Yukihiro:
