mama!milk is an instrumental duo
by a Japanese composer and accordion player Yuko Ikoma and a contrabass player Kosuke Shimizu,
based in the old city Kyoto, Japan.
They started to play with and perform in 1997.
After the first album was released in 1999, they have been composing, playing, and recording for their albums with a variety of ensembles.
The latest album is “Duologue” recorded in 2013.
They also write for theater, dance, film, exhibition, and commercial film.
mama!milk’s live performance is said “Cinematic Beauty” or “Japanese New Exotica”.
They has performed at art museum, gallery, theater, cafe, and unique venues like ruin, factory, temple, and even at Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
The performance is more site-specific and sensitive.
It’s changing between compositions and some improvisation for the place.
Maybe you feel like film without picture, or subtle fragrance of Japanese Noh in it.
*
Yuko Ikoma is a Japanese accordionists and composer.
She also composes for toy instrument like music box, automata, toy piano etc. and released some albums ( “esquisse”, “Erick-Satie by music-box”, “Suite for Fragile Chamber Orchestra” ) under the name yukoikoma.
*
Kosuke Shimizu is a Japanese contrabassist and composer.
He also plays for some projects like Takeo Toyama Emsemble, LABCRY, OK Music Ball etc.
[[ Discography ]]
abundant abandon ( 1999 )
Lumb and Mutton ( 2001 )
Gala de Caras ( 2003 )
Fragrance of Notes ( 2008 )
Parade ( 2010 )
Quietude ( 2010 )
Nude ( 2011 )
Duologue ( 2013 )
Vanilla / Gala de Caras ( 2015 )
*
mama!milk “meets#1 madoki yamasaki” ( 2002 )
mama!milk “meets#2 gina + chris” ( 2003 )
mama!milk “meets#3 yoshiyuki toyoshima” ( 2004 )
Gak Sato & mama!milk “cosmosSfera Furniture Music vol.2” ( 2006 )
Ramuntcho Matta “atta_aLive in kyoto vol.1 12th march 2007 with mama!milk” ( 2007 )
Ramuntcho Matta “matta_aLive in kyoto vol.3 13th march 2007 with mama!milk” and hiroko komiya ( 2007 )
[[ Projects ]]
Theater
Performing original soundtrack for the film “Metropolis” by Fritz Lang Kanazawa Film Festival2009, Kyoto MOVING Festival 2015
W.Shakespeare / Akira Shirai “Tempest” New National Theatre, Tokyo 2014
W.Shakespeare / Akira Shirai “Othello” Setagaya Public Theatre, Hyogo Performing Arts Center 2013
“Kyupi Kyupi” Artcomplex 1928 Kyoto, Kirin Plaza Osaka, Palais de Tokyo Paris, Tate Modern London, 1998 – 2003
Film
Tezuka Satoru “Water” 2012
Yoshimasa Ishibashi “Milocroze” 2012
Ryoko Takahashi “I am…” 2012
Yoshimasa Ishibashi “Vermilion Pleasure Night” 2000
Comeercial Film
SHISEIDO “MAJOLICA MAJORCA” 2006 – 2013
loccitane 2013
Dance
Kuroko Sanae “Deep Layer of Blue” Kyoto Art Center 2005
Tamae Ogawa “Butai Bijutsukan” 1999
Exhibition
Hideki Maekawa ( new works )( sculpture ) DEE’S HALL 2015
Hideki Maekawa “Hyohaku no Mori he” ( sculpture ) DEE’S HALL 2012
Masaya Hashimoto “Kara no nai Hana” ( sculpture) Kosei-ji temple 2012
Eiji Yuzawa “The Night in BAROCCO” ( photo ) TRAUMARIS 2011
Toulouse-Lautrec “Lautrec connection” Bunkamura the Museum 2009
Toulouse-Lautrec “Hommage á Toulouse-Lautrec” Suntory Museum Tenpozan 2005
[[ External links ]]
http://www.mamamilk.net/
http://www.yukoikoma.com/
http://www.kosukeshimizu.com/
[[ Pick up albums ]]
mama!milk / Duologue
windbell CD [ windbell four 120 ] 2013 Japan
mama!milk had recorded their compositions with a variety of ensembles from trio to tentet.
This is the first album by only accordion and contrabass in their career of 15 yeras.
You’ll feel more deeply the essence of their compositions and live performance.
It’s authentic mama!milk.
[ I ]
1. waltz, waltz, invitation
2. intermezzo, op.28
3. anise
4. andante, Coquettish “kuroneko”
5. Heureux Jours Sous Le Ciel
6. Tricky Crown Round Midnight（ * * ）
[ II ]
7. Parade, waltz
8. sometime sweet
9. an Ode
[ III ]
10. August
11. Greco on Thursday ( * )
12. Gala de Caras
13. rosa damascena
14. kujaku
15. Nude（ * * ）
[ IV ]
16. Landfall
17. Parade
18. flowers
19. ao
20. sometime sweet
21. flowing
22. waltz, waltz
all compositions written by Yuko Ikoma except
( * ) by Kosuke Shimizu, ( * * ) , Kosuke Shimizu & Yuko Ikoma
mama!milk
Yuko ikoma, accordion
Kosuke shimizu, contrabass
Alos enjoy “Duologue” by high quality sound -Super High Material CD and special paper case.
[[ Deluxe edition ]] mama!milk / Duologue
windbell SHM-CD with special case [ windbell four 120 ] 2013 Japan
mama!milk 2013 photo by Hiroaki Seki
mama!milk / Nude
windbell CD [windbell four 109 ] 2011 Japan
After thrilling jam session, they recorded this album at the small bookbinding factory in Tokyo.
1. monologue ( *** )
2. kujaku viridis
3. Nude ( ** )
4. nuance of 12℃
5. Nude var.1 ( ** )
6. rosa damascena
7. an ode in march
8. apres fermentation ( * )
9. duologue（ **** ）
10. kujaku albus
11. Nude var.2 ( ** )
12. the moon on the mist
13. sometime sweet +
14. sones
15. Nude var.3 ( ** )
16. flowers
all compsitions written by Yuko Ikoma except by ( * ) Kosuke Shimizu, ( ** ) Kosuke Shimizu and Yuko Ikoma, ( *** ) J.S.Bach “6 kleine Praludien No.2″, ( **** ) J.S.Bach “12 kleine Praludien No.5″
mama!milk
Yuko ikoma, accordion
Kosuke shimizu, contrabass
with
Daisuke Ichihara, trombone
Tsutom Kurihara, drums
mama!milk Quartet photo by Keizo Maeda at Kyudo Kaikan, 2011 Japan
mama!milk / Quietude
contrail farm CD [CF-002] 2010 Japan
Yuko Ikoma composed “Quietude” for their concert at “Blue planet Sky” by James TURRELL in 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Japan 2007.
It’s a site-specific suite for accordion, harmonics of contrabass, and all of the ambient sound.
This album is the one of variations of “Quietude” recorded at the ruin on the small quiet island 2008.
1. Quietude
2. Airships
3. Landfall
4. 6 kleine Praludien No. 2 ( * )
5. Portolano
6. Compass rose
7. Quietude ( reprise )
all compsitions written by Yuko Ikoma except ( * ) by J.S.Bach
Yuko ikoma, accordion
Kosuke shimizu, contrabass
Quietude at a ruin photo by Kosuke Shimizu 2008 Japan
mama!milk / Fragrance of Notes
windbell [ CD ] wb 21 [ 180g LP ] wb21LP 2008 Japan
* BBC radio 1 Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards 2009 “Jazz Album of the Year 2009”
* J-Wave radio Winners 2008 on WORLDWIDE 15
After rich 5 years with a lot of live performances and a variety of musical projects, mama!milk released “Fragrance of Notes” in 2008.
They played for one main microphone, and it was recorded by analog MTR.
1. kujaku
2. antique gold
3. hourglass
4. the moon
5. intermezzo,op.32
6. avant fermentation ( * )
7. anise
8. rosa mundi
9. smoky dawn ( * )
10. rosa moschata
11. two ripples
12. mano seca
13. sometime sweet
14. waltz, waltz
all compsitions written by yuko ikoma except ( * ) by Kosuke Shimizu
mama!milk
Yuko Ikoma, accordion
Kosuke Shimizu, contrabass
with
Gak Sato, theremin
Yuichi Inobori, flute, trombone
Takeo Toyama, piano
Tsutom Kurihara, drums
mama!milk Fragrance of Notes ensemble photo by syahinger-z at Hara Museum of Contemporary Art,2008 Japan
[[ recommendation ]]
When I met yuko the first time, it was in a hotel in tokyo
and having these little pieces of conversation in mind
and the even stronger impression of her elegant appearance makes this record very special for me.
It seems to bring back these pictures of a very short but intense moment
and i think the music of mama!milk has exactly this
it is changing between elegance,coolness but at the same time
the heart and the emotions of an intensive short moment
that will keep its footprint in your mind.
It leaves a lot of space for mindtrips
and also for connections in the own musical biographie.
during the listening while i was hearing the new mama!milk record
I was somehow found quotes in some europien countries
but at the same time it has this little difference that makes the music on
“fragrance of notes” outstanding for me.
At the end you will breath in and breath out
and you know that this record was not the last time in your cd-player.
Hauschka
Sound that stops the moment and makes you wonder
mama!milk is by accordion player Yuko Ikoma and ContrabassKosuke Shimizu,
they’re based in the old city Kyoto and has been doing a live at art museums, theater, cafe and even at a temple.
Their music are like a flame at the fireplace, burning quietly but not silently and burn the heart of people who listen to it.
It’s been a while since I have been facinated by their music.
Their new album 『Fragrance of Notes was released this summer after five years, the album is made with artists Tsutomu Kurihara (drums), Takeo Toyama (piano) and also Gak Sato (Theremin) who worked at Right Tempo for more than 10years, and also Yuichi Inobori (flute/trombone) as guest players.
The 14tracks or should I say 14piece of poems are like a picture scroll which will bring back some old and sweet memories.
It reminded me a film the romantic three piece made by movie director Seijun Suzuki, this album is a masterpiece.
The sexy and beautiful sound of accordion will cross by to the cool contrabass as if it is trying to seduce and other instruments were smiling to hear that eroticism in that sound and fit in as well.
Inner ecstasy comes out from that crossing and continues to stay regardless of time.
This album will become a sound track for me as we toward to autumn.
Toshio Matsuura ..for web magazine OPENERS
[[ mamamilk perform at… ]]
mama!milk has performed at art museum, gallery, theater, cafe, and
unique venue like ruin, factory, temple, and even at Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
2014
Kudo Kaikan ( Tokyo )
Honen-in temple, Kinse ryokan ( Kyoto )
etc.
2013
The Industry Club of West Japan ( Kitakyushu ) [ * ]
Iwate Prefecture Public Hall ( Iwate ) [ * ]
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art ( Tokyo )
D.T.Suzuki Museum ( Kanazawa )
Honen-in temple ( Kyoto )
etc.
2012
The Industry Club of West Japan ( Kitakyushu ) [ * ]
“New Step Festival 2012” ( Awaji )
Honen-in temple ( Kyoto )
Shima Kitchen * Art Setouchi ( Teshima )
Kosei-ji temple ( Kanazawa )
Iwate Prefecture Public Hall ( Iwate ) [ * ]
etc.
2011
Kawamura Memorial DIC Museum of Art ( Sakura )
The Industry Club of West Japan ( Kitakyushu ) [ * ]
Kudo Kaikan ( Tokyo )
The Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum ( Shizuoka )
“Sence of Wonder 2011” festival ( Kasama )
The Kyushu University Museum ( Kitakyushu )
Honen-in temple ( Kyoto )
etc.
2010
The Industry Club of West Japan ( Kitakyushu ) [ * ]
The Old JR Taisha Station ( Izumo ) [ * ]
Mengyo Club ( Osaka ) [ * ]
Yokohama Kaiko Kinen Kaikan ( Yokohama )
Honen-in temple ( Kyoto )
Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art ( Marugame )
“MUSIX 2010” festival ( Naha )
etc.
2009
The Museum Bunkamura ( Tokyo )
The Industry Club of West Japan ( Kitakyushu ) [ * ]
Hotai-ji temple ( Shizuoka )
Mengyo Club ( Osaka ) [ * ]
“ALEVARE” festival ( Tokyo )
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art ( Kanazawa )
The Old JR Taisha Station ( Izumo ) [ * ]
Honen-in temple
Mukaijima Orchid Center ( Onomichi )
Guggenheim House ( Kobe )
Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto ( Kumamoto )
“Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards” ( London )
etc.
2008
Mengyo Club ( Osaka ) [ * ]
The Industry Club of West Japan ( Kitakyushu ) [ * ]
Nara National Museum ( Nara )
“ART-PLEX” festival ( Kumamoto )
Hara Museum of Contemporary Art ( Tokyo )
The Museum of Kyoto, ART COMPLEX 1928, “Miyako Ongakusai” festival ( Kyoto ) [ * ]
Fabrica de Braco de prata ( Lisboa )
La Serilla ( Barcelona )
Chikurinji-temple ( Kochi )
etc.
2007
The Industry Club of West Japan ( Kitakyushu ) [ * ]
“ALEVARE” festival ( Tokyo )
Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art ( Marugame )
Sakurazaka Theatre ( Naha )
etc.
2006
The Industry Club of West Japan ( Kitakyushu ) [ * ]
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art ( Kanazawa )
M on the Bund ( shanghai )
Museo della Carta e della Filigrana di Fabriano ( Fabriano )
“UBI JAZZ”, Media Culture ( Venezia )
Les 7 Lezards ( Paris )
“Les Coquecigrues” festival ( Maure-de-Bretagne )
“Metissages” festival ( Bazouges-la-Perouse )
Chikurinji-temple ( Kochi )
Dogo Giyaman Glass Museum ( Matsuyama )
“Down Beat Ruler” festival ( Tokyo )
etc.
2005
“Yokohama Triennale” ( Yokohama )
Asahi Art Square ( Tokyo )
Honen-in temple ( Kyoto )
Les 7 lezards ( paris )
The Motorship Stubnitz ( Amsterdam )
“Venezia Suona” festival ( Venezia )
Chikurinji-temple ( Kochi )
Yoyokaku Ryokan ( Karatsu )
Suntory Museum ( Osaka )
The Industry Club of West Japan ( Kitakyushu ) [ * ]
etc.
2004
Fukuyama Museum of Art ( Fukuyama )
Istituto Giapponese di cultura in Roma ( Roma )
eschschloraque ( Berlin )
Les 7 lezards, L’Archipel ( Paris )
“LE GRAND SOUFFLET” accordion’s festival ( Rennes, Domalain, and Saint-Gilles )
The Kyoto University Museum, ARTCOMPLEX1928, Hoen-in temple, Kennin-ji temple ( Kyoto )
etc.
Since 1997
[ * ] Important Cultural Properties of Japan