THE WORLD'S BEST NEW MUSIC

Formed in the working-class Tokyo suburb of Fussa, Minyo Crusaders are a ten-piece collective dedicated to revitalising min'yō - traditional Japanese working-class folk music. Historically sung by fishermen, farmers, and geishas, min'yō was once deeply ingrained in daily life but gradually receded into cultural preservation. Co-founded by guitarist Katsumi Tanaka and vocalist Freddie Tsukamoto, the group rescues these ancient melodies from dry museum archives and injects them with infectious Afrobeat, cumbia, salsa, and reggae backbeats. By marrying forgotten historical lyrics with vibrant global grooves, they have become international festival favorites and world-music charts regulars.  ​

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Topping the Transglobal World Music Chart upon entry this month, From Japan with Love expands Minyo Crusaders' kaleidoscopic vision with undeniable theatrical charm. Rooted in century-old songs about field work, regional festivals, and local legends, the record rescues min'yō  from its status as a museum relic and reinvents it as a living party. Pentatonic vocal ornamentation and traditional call-and-response (kakegoe) blend effortlessly with blazing horn sections, tropical percussion, and funky, sun-baked rhythms.

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A sly, self-aware humour underscores the entire record: seriousness is discarded in favour of tongue-in-cheek showmanship, syncopated comedic flourishes, and sheer festive abandon - reminiscent of the way UK's Madness took Madness took Caribbean ska and blue-beat and run it through a distinct, cheeky London cultural filter. Traditional chants morph into vibrant cumbia shakers and brass riffs, creating a joyful dialogue between East Asian heritage and Pan-African rhythm. It is a delightfully buoyant, groove-laden masterpiece that proves traditional folk music is at its absolute best when it makes you move your feet.