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TONE_(healing music) the unit of healing music which consists of the Shakuhachi player Yukihiko Mitsuka, the Koto player Mihoko Ono and guitar player Ryoichi Soyama. This trio is spelled ""遠TONE音"" in Japanese character.

Biography
Perhaps the first thing needed to understand the music of TONE, (pronounced Toh-ne) is to understand where they are from Hokkaido, the northern island, in contrast to the rest of Japan, is full of vast open spaces. The air that you breathe feels different. There are roaring rivers and towering mountains. The winters are harsh, but its people have learnt to adapt and thrive. They have a strong connection with nature, a connection that is all but lost in the vast metropolises of Tokyo or Osaka.

TONE takes this bonding with their surroundings and interpret their feelings, their sense of wonderment, beauty, respect, and pure awe, through the medium of their instruments. At their formation in 1988, those instruments were chosen carefully, each member bringing something unique to a collective without parallel.

Yukihiko Mitsuka plays the end blown bamboo flute, the Shakuhachi. Once the instrument of wandering priests, a tool of Zen, and capable of playing the most delicate of melodies. Yet, the Shakuhachi is powerful enough to simulate the howling of the wind and the crash of thunder. Mitsuka has performed with artists ranging from taiko drummer Eitetsu Hayashi and Nubian oud player Hamza El Din. He is also a master maker of the Shakuhachi.

Mihoko Ono performs on the Koto, the floor zither and national instrument of Japan. One forceful strum of the strings is enough for the most dramatic entry to any composition. Soft plucking of the strings emulates the sound of the most gentle drops of rain. In addition, Ono is an innovator of the instrument, even electrifying the koto on some compositions.

Ryoichi Soyama plays various guitars. Augmenting the most quintessential of Japanese instruments, his sympathetic style of playing provides the core background and rhythm. Soyama’s contribution helps to create the trademark TONE sound by blending east with west and modern with ancient. For six years Soyama was the band leader for Ruriko Kurahashi, a well known pop singer from Hokkaido.

In addition, many guests have graced albums by TONE, adding textures, layers, rhythms and other sounds within the distinct framework created by the group.

From their native Hokkaido, the music of TONE has spread throughout Japan, via TV programmes, concerts and other media interest. TONE has set the tone for a new sound to emanate from Japan destined to resonate around the world.

Discography

 * The Music of Earth [NLRCD-5039](c)1991
 * First album from 1991. Many of the compositions evoke the vastness and beauty of their native Hokkaido, inspired by mountains, rivers, forests and the wind. A warm, delicate, rich sound, with an ethereal quality, that marked the start of the TONE journey. Includes live recording featuring Tsugaru-jamisen in a unique, exciting combination of instruments.
 * "ANNUPURI"
 * "KAKKO NO MORI"
 * "KAZE"
 * "ISHIKARIGAWA"
 * "CHIKYU MISAKI"
 * "KAMUI"
 * "YOKO"
 * "TABIDACHI"


 * The Music of Earth / 2nd [NLRCD-5069](c)1992
 * The album that cemented the trademark TONE sound. From upbeat, joyous numbers to majestic pieces that pay a musical homage to Hokkaido, the group display not only a virtuosity on their instruments, but a talent for creating a range of moods and emotions within their work. Includes ‘Hoshi no Furusato’ which helped gain the group a following throughout Japan.
 * "HARUNIRE NO KI"
 * "TOKACHINO"
 * "TOYPIRA"
 * "THE MUSIC OF EARTH"
 * "SUNAYAMA"
 * "HAMANASU"
 * "DAICHI"
 * "TOYA"
 * "YUKI MONO GATARI"
 * "HOSHI NO FURUSATO"


 * The Music of Earth III [NLRCD-5099](c)1955
 * Another leap forward, and a new level in sound quality. Mastered by American Bobby Hata (Dire Straits, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Ryuichi Sakamoto among many others). Elements of pulsating jazz fusion alongside plaintive melodies with lush arrangements. Includes the inspirational ‘Our Own Way’ often performed by renowned Japanese chorus group, Circus.
 * "Riding the Northern Sky"
 * "Tohno"
 * "Summer Rain"
 * "Lullaby"
 * "Misty Day"
 * "Give Wings to Your Dreams"
 * "The Ledgend of Flowers"
 * "Going Hone"
 * "Journey"
 * "Our Own Way"


 * The Music of Earth / 4th Warmth [NLRCD-5104](c)2003
 * Final part of the ‘Earth’ albums. TONE brings a warmth to the harsh winter of Hokkaido with an album full of strong melodies, and a perfect melding of shakuhachi, koto and guitar. Beautiful in its simplicity, this album set a new benchmark and is perhaps their most accomplished album. Completing a circle, a culmination of creativity, yet hinting at new ventures.
 * "A Starlit Sky"
 * "With Fresh Breeze"
 * "Warmth"
 * "Sunlight through the Leaves"
 * "Hope"
 * "The Passage of Time"
 * "Recollections"
 * "Golden Autumn"
 * "Esashi"
 * "Dawn"
 * "Snow Fluttires"


 * Christmas Tunes [NLRCD-5111](c)2006
 * Mixture of popular Christmas songs such as Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and White Christmas, and well known carols and other classical Christmas pieces, including Silent Night and O Come, All Ye Faithful. Played on shakuhachi, koto and acoustic guitar, these familiar songs take on a new life and atmosphere. A very Eastern take on a Christian celebration.
 * "Santa Claus Is Comi' To Town"
 * "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer~Jingle Bells"
 * "White Christmas"
 * "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
 * "Silent Night"
 * "Joy to the World"
 * "Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring"
 * "Gloria in Excelsis Deo"
 * "O Come, All Ye Faithful"
 * "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"
 * "Deck the Hall"
 * "O Christmas Tree"
 * "Ave Maria"
 * "The First Noel"


 * Four Seasons [NLRCD-5101](c)1999
 * TONE interprets the four seasons through their northern Japan perspective. From a dramatic and dreamy winter, the anticipation and hope of spring, the joy and fun of summer (via a well known Hokkaido folk song) and ending with a reflective autumn, preparing again for the harsh cold. Originally composed for aerobatic displays in Japan and Switzerland.
 * "Winter"
 * "Spring"
 * "Summer"
 * "Autumn"


 * Never Forget that Day [NLRCD-5116](c)2012
 * Like many Japanese people, the members of TONE were greatly affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck the coastal regions of northeastern Japan in March 2011. This album contains beautiful interpretations of folk songs from the area, many of which reflect the way of life and spirit of its people. This recording is dedicated to the victims.
 * "Furusato"
 * "Umi~Yuyake Koyake"
 * "Aka Tombo"
 * "Takeda No Komoriuta"
 * "Sunayama"
 * "Hietsuki Bushi"
 * "Nukumori"
 * "Ashita"
 * "Yuki No Hana"
 * "Miagete Goran Yoru No Hoshi Wo"


 * Mitsuka Yukihiko & Ono Mihoko / Essence Again [NLRCD-5107](c)2004
 * Duet album from TONE members on shakuhachi and koto. Originally released on cassette in 1990 now re-recorded and re-released onto CD with extra tracks. Album of covers including the famous theme (World in Union) from Jupiter by Holst, to a composition by George Winston, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and Japanese synthesizer player Kitaro.
 * "YUKI NO HANA"
 * "JUPITER"
 * "SHONEN JIDAI"
 * "GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK"
 * "ISSO SERENADE"
 * "KOI NO YOKAN"
 * "WINE RED NO KOKORO"
 * "EL BIMBO"
 * "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)""(Senjô no merî Kurisumasu)""
 * "LONGING LOVE"
 * "TOKI NO NAGARE"
 * "SILK ROAD~EVERLASTING ROAD"


 * 遠TONE音 Official URL
 * Northern Lights Record