Gocoo is an 11-person (7 women, 4 men) drumming group that captures the audience with original grooves woven with Japanese drums, taikos. The group was formed in 1997 and debuted at a big techno music festival, “Rainbow 2000”, the same year. Over 30 taikos, including ones made by one of the group’s members, Taro Matsuzaki, bring life to Gocoo world.
While many Taiko groups stoically pursue a traditional style, and while others seek new interpretations of traditional Japanese music by taking in elements of Western music, Gocoo’s beat exhibits free-spirited, innovative taiko music that appeals directly to any audience. The group not only incites enthusiasts of primal, spectacular drumming shows. With its complex poly-rhythmic beats and an impressive light-show, Gocoo creates a show that fascinates a wide range of audiences.
Gocoo’s regular live gigs at popular venues in Tokyo and all over Japan, such as Aoyama CAY and Shibuya On Air, are packed with young followers who tend to shy away from traditional music. For them, Gocoo’s trance-like, danceable sound is simply outstanding pop-music. Gocoo enjoys appearing at popular Japanese outdoor festivals and rave parties like Asagiri Jam, Equinox, Earth Dance, and Hotaka Festival along with various rock bands and DJs.
Gocoo’s first album Healing Asia Vol. 2 featuring Gocoo, released under Consipio Records in January 2000, was sound engineered by Shinichi Tanaka and recorded with no over-dubbing. The result was a CD filled with delicate layers of drums and the powerful grooves so quintessential of Gocoo’s live performance. The guest artist for the album, the didgeridoo virtuoso GoRo, has been joining in most of the live performances since then. The album Live 01 was released in June 2002 under Universal Music Records.
The year 2000 marked another milestone for Gocoo with its first US tour hosted by a Native American leader, Dennis Banks. San Francisco, Flagstaff, Sedona, Santa Fe – everywhere Gocoo performed, it was received by an enthusiastic audience. The tremendous spiritual energy Gocoo received through this experience is evident in the more dynamic and intense sound they’ve displayed since the tour.
Gocoo has performed with Kim Duk-soo of Samulnori, who perfected Korea’s neo-traditional percussion quartet music; Mamady Keita, the jembe player from West Africa; as well as Seiichi Tanaka of San Francisco Taiko Dojo, the recipient of the National Endowment of Arts award for his contribution to the U.S. society through Taiko-related works. In different words, all three have encouraged Gocoo to lead the way in creating new Taiko music.
Gocoo started off 2003 with its first appearance in Europe as the top music act at the opening party of ?Graz 2003 ? Cultural Capital of Europe?, followed by an incredibly successful tour through six major German cities in June/July. Also in 2003, the new Matrix movie as well as the accompanying soundtrack Matrix Reloaded include the tune ?Teahouse? by Juno Reactor featuring Gocoo. Later the same year Gocoo?s first DVD Live?02 was released followed by two new CDs: Amatsuchi no Aida and the new collaboration CD with Juno Reactor Zwara EP.
In spring 2004 Gocoo performed in Kazakh and then returned to Europe in July with it?s new CD Lovebeat and with an even bigger and more successful tour than the year before. The band performed in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. An absolute highlight was the gig at the Gurtenfestival (Bern, Switzerland) in front of 15.000 people. The concert was also broadcast on Swiss television. Gocoo?s tour included a studio session in Hamburg, Germany. Here Gocoo contributed its sound to the soundtrack of the third sequel of one of the most popular role-playing computer games. The game will be released worldwide in 2005/2006.
Lead drummer, Kaoly Asano, attracts much attention as a newly emerging female Taiko player. When she is not performing with Gocoo, she leads Taiko lessons at her Tawoo Taiko Dojo where anyone can experience the joy of Taiko drumming.
Discography:
Healing Asia Vol.2 featuring Gocoo (Pony Canyon, 2000)
Migwitch Gitchi-Manidoo (2001)
Live 01 (2002)
LoveBeat! (2004)
Joy (2005)
MatsuRhythm vol.1 (2007)
Roots of Joy (2011)
Eleven (2013)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
