1. A Free Jazz Group
2. A J… Read Full Bio ↴There are several artists named Kaze:
1. A Free Jazz Group
2. A Japanese R&B pop vocalist
3. Kevin “Kaze” Thomas
4. A Spanish rapper
1.
Natsuki Tamura – trumpet
Christian Pruvost - trumpet
Satoko Fujii – piano
Peter Orins– drums
Formed only seven months before their remarkable debut recording Rafale, Kaze brings together trumpeter Natsuki Tamura and pianist Satoko Fujii, two of Japan's foremost improviser-composers, with trumpeter Christian Pruvost and drummer Peter Orins from the French improvisers collective, Muzzix.
The members of this international quartet share an insatiable appetite for sonic experimentation, boundless energy and enthusiasm, and the disciplined intelligence of accomplished spontaneous composers. Melodic, abstract, mysterious, beautiful, and confrontational, Kaze plays free jazz at its most creative and powerful.
2. Kaze debuted as a solo artist from the record label D-topia with the digital single "Zurukare" in 2011, in addition to featuring on several compilation albums.
3. Kevin “Kaze” Thomas is a versatile artist-producer who captures the spirit of groundbreakers like Run-DMC, Snoop Dog, and Wu-Tang Clan to promote an on-going, innovative hip-hop culture. Hailing from northern Virginia and eastern North Carolina, Kaze grew up in the 80’s memorizing his big sister’s mix tapes of hip-hop legends to lift himself out of an oppressive country lifestyle. As a student in communications at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Kaze helped to create Hip-Hop Nation, an on-campus organization fostering the growth of local emcees, poets, DJs, dancers, and graffiti artists. His mission gained national attention in 2001 when Kaze was tapped to co-create, produce, and host the nationally syndicated television program titled Hip-Hop Nation: Notes from the Underground. The show captured the immensity of the culture’s influence with viewers in over a hundred markets and linked Kaze’s name with a movement of international interest.
Kaze’s production experiences led to the establishment of his own record label, Soul Dojo, Inc. The initial offering under that label is his Spirit of ’94, a tribute to the legends of hip-hop featuring 15 tracks he both wrote and produced. Ingenuity and originality characterize his rhymes, while his words promote political consciousness, address personal trials, and celebrate the passion of hip-hop. The March 2003 release of Spirit of ‘94 set the standard for the label, claiming much critical acclaim and winning fans across the state. After selling thousands of copies independently, both on the streets and through mom and pop record stores, Spirit of ’94 was picked up by BCD Global Distribution in October of 2003 for placement into Transworld operated record stores such as FYE. The single, “50/50 Amp”, has received airplay on college and commercial radio stations across the country, charting with Billboard and with CMJ. Kaze peaked at number 11 on the Rap Network in March of 2004, a chart tabulated by spins from the tastemakers of college radio.
Kaze’s April 2004 sophomore effort, titled Enemy of the State, is a mixtape which features a collection of tracks by North Carolina’s finest hip-hop artists and producers. With notable appearances by Nature and 9th Wonder among others, Kaze uses the album as a platform for voicing his desire to make it to the top of the industry and chronicles his success and struggle thus far. Kaze’s first single from Enemy of the State titled “On” is due to grow on the strength of his debut and aims for an even greater audience.
Kaze has become one of the most talked about and recognizable figures in the North Carolina music scene. With strong personality and a unique style, he reigns as a tested mic battle champion and regularly lights up stages at nationally known venues across the Southeast including the Smith Center, Gusman Theater, Cat’s Cradle, Echo Lounge, Local 506, Apache Cafe, and The Brewery. He has opened for such artists as Nas, Jurassic 5, KRS-One Dead Prez, The Arsonists, Swollen Members, and Camp Lo. He also can be heard working the crowds for Soul Dojo’s premier open mic night, Microphone Mondays, at Rolling Stone Magazine’s favorite Chapel Hill music venue, the Local 506.
4. Cristian, a.k.a Kaze is a rapper from Cartagena, Spain. He released his first album, No Encajes, in 2016.
通り雨
Kaze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
細い肩を濡らして
あの娘は一人ぼっちになろうとしている
淋しいのなら忘れよう
人の心なんて
にぎやかなお祭りの人ごみの中で
浴衣がけ 細い肩 通り雨
下町のお祭りは
まるであの日と同じ顔でむかえてくれたのに
久しぶりなら忘れよう
なつかしさなんて
風車くるくると音をたてる夜に
浴衣がけ 長い髪 通り雨
幸せすぎてこわいと
大吉破いてすてた
何もかもが昔に向かって走り去ってゆく
思い出すなら忘れよう
おもいでなんて
指切りがほどけてはいけないはずなのに
カラカラと 石畳 通り雨
赤い鼻緒切らして
上目使いに笑った
かわいそうなくらいの小さな胸もと
悲しいのなら忘れよう
君の笑顔なんて
熱い涙足もとにはじけて落ちた日に
ほほ濡らす 悲しみの 通り雨
In Kaze's song 通り雨 ("Toriame"), the lyrics describe memories and emotions evoked by passing summer showers. In the first stanza, a young woman walks alone in the rain with her narrow shoulders soaked. The lyrics suggest that she is intentionally trying to isolate herself and forget her loneliness, even amid the bustling crowds of a festival. The second stanza introduces the theme of nostalgia, as the singer revisits a festival he hasn't attended in two years. He comments on how little has changed, and how easy it is to forget the feelings that tie us to the past. Finally, in the third verse, the singer reflects on the fear of overwhelming happiness and the ephemeral nature of memories: how quickly they can slip away like the Red thread of fate in the chorus.
The metaphor of "通り雨" (toriame) which translates to "passing shower" or "summer shower" is used in a couple of ways. Firstly, it describes the setting of both stanzas, where the singers are caught in sudden summer rain. However, the word "toriame" is also used to represent evanescent memories, and emotions- like how the rain quickly passes by, dragging along one's feelings in its wake.
Next, the lyrics contrast past memories with the present moment- how the memory of a smiling girl on a rainy day ("君の笑顔クラ君が雨の日に描いてた線") can now bring tears to one's eyes in place of that long-gone happiness. Lastly, the lyrics reflect on the fear of losing a loved one too soon with the lyrics ("幸せすぎてこわいと // 大吉破いてすてた // 何もかもが昔に向かって走り去ってゆく” / Too scared of overwhelming happiness, I tore apart a large fortune slip/ Everything is running towards the past and fleeing,") which reflect on the inevitability of the unreliable passage of time.
Overall, Kaze's "通り雨" is a poignant reflection on the transience of memories, joy, and sorrow. It reminds us to cherish our present moments, and to be mindful of the evanescent nature of all things, resulting in a touching tribute to the changes wrought by the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
通り過ぎた雨に
The rain has gone, but her slender shoulders are still wet; that girl is trying to be alone.
淋しいのなら忘れよう
If you're lonely, forget it. The human heart is like a crowd of people at a lively festival.
二年ぶりにたずねた
After two years of absence, I visited the old town festival.
久しぶりなら忘れよう
If it's been too long, forget it. Nostalgia is like a windmill turning and making noise on a rainy night.
幸せすぎてこわいと
I won so much that it scared me. I tore up the fortune telling and threw it away.
何もかもが昔に向かって走り去ってゆく
Everything is running towards the past and disappearing.
思い出すなら忘れよう
If you remember, forget it. Memories are like stones that should never be untied by a pinky promise.
赤い鼻緒切らして
With red sandals broken, she smiled up.
悲しいのなら忘れよう
If you're sad, forget it. Your smiling face brought tears dropping to the ground that day.
君の笑顔なんて
Your smile is like a tiny chest that's so pitiful.
ほほ濡らす 悲しみの 通り雨
The passing rain dampens my cheeks, a symbol of my melancholy.
Writer(s): 伊勢 正三, 伊勢 正三
Contributed by Jordyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.