Mondo Grosso
Encyclopedia
Shinichi Osawa also known as Mondo Grosso, is an artist currently signed onto Avex Trax
's "Rhythm Zone" label. Previously he was signed to Sony Music Japan's FEARLESS RECORDS division and released albums under the title of 'Mondo Grosso', which is Italian
for "big world". He was born on February 7, 1967. Over the course of his career he has worked in genres from acid jazz
to house
, with strong influences of underground club music, though his recent work has been in the genre of electro house. HMV
Japan
rated Mondo Grosso at #95 on their "Top 100 Japanese Pop Artists".
in 1991 on the For Life Records label. However, in 1995, the group was disbanded, and Osawa worked more on his own, collaborating with many artists such as Monday Michiru
, Amel Larrieux
, UA
, Chara
, Dragon Ash
and even Ayumi Hamasaki
. In the midst of his collaborative work in 1997, he became a solo producer, releasing the R&B infused acid jazz
and house album Closer.
He made a move from For Life Records to Sony Music Associated Records in 1999, where he began his own label. Throughout the years, Osawa acted as a producer for artists such as Bird and Eri Nobuchika
. His 2000 album MG4 displayed the diversity of his production, fusing jazz and house. It featured the hit song 'Life', featuring Bird. In 2003 he released Next Wave
, a more traditional house album.
Osawa provided the hypnotic array of techno music on the popular PlayStation Portable
game Lumines
in 2005. He did not reappear as a composer for its sequel.
In 2007 Osawa moved to avex trax
. Feeling that, in comparison to his previous albums, the sound reflected more closely his DJ sets and performances (performed under his real name), Osawa released his electro house album The One
under the moniker of 'Shinichi Osawa' rather than 'Mondo Grosso'. "Our Song" was the initial single released in Japan, followed by the Chemical Brothers cover Star Guitar. Under his real name, Osawa has received more international attention, creating acclaimed remixes of Felix da Housecat
's "Radio" and Digitalism
's "Pogo". He also performed at Electric Daisy Carnival
, which was his first performance in America. He is also featured in Clazziquai's Robotica album in a remix for Prayers by Christina Chu.
In 2008, he remixed #1-hit song Startin' by Japanese pop sensation Ayumi Hamasaki
. The mix appeared on the album Ayu-mi-x 6 -GOLD-
.
In October 2008, following a release of Star Guitar as a single by Data Records
, Southern Fried Records
made a digital release of The One in the UK. A physical release is scheduled for January 2009.
In November 2008, "Our Song" appeared on the 16th version
of Konami
's DJ simulation series Beatmania IIDX
, alongside several other songs by Avex's House Nation group.
Osawa is currently involved in Ravex
, a collaboration with fellow Avex DJs Tomoyuki Tanaka and Taku Takahashi
established to mark 20 years of Avex. Their debut album Trax was released on April 8, 2009, and follows the release of the singles I Rave U and Believe in LOVE - feat BoA
.
Osawa released SO2
, the second album under his given name, on June 16, 2010 digitally and June 30 on CD/DVD.
In 2009, Osawa collaborated with Takeshi Kobayashi to form the duo Bradberry Orchestra. With the lead single "LOVE CHECK," Bradberry Orchestra released their first album "Vol.0" on March 16, 2011 in Japan through avex. Songs from the album have been used to promote Sony's Xperia
phone as well as SEGA
's Yakuza Of the End.
Avex Trax
, listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan...
's "Rhythm Zone" label. Previously he was signed to Sony Music Japan's FEARLESS RECORDS division and released albums under the title of 'Mondo Grosso', which is Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
for "big world". He was born on February 7, 1967. Over the course of his career he has worked in genres from acid jazz
Acid jazz
Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop, particularly looped beats. It developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and could be seen as tacking the sound of jazz-funk onto electronic dance: jazz-funk musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd and Grant Green are...
to house
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
, with strong influences of underground club music, though his recent work has been in the genre of electro house. HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
rated Mondo Grosso at #95 on their "Top 100 Japanese Pop Artists".
Background
Osawa was originally the leader and bassist for the popular Japanese musical group Mondo Grosso, which formed in KyotoKyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
in 1991 on the For Life Records label. However, in 1995, the group was disbanded, and Osawa worked more on his own, collaborating with many artists such as Monday Michiru
Monday Michiru
Monday Michiru Sipiagin is a Japanese American actress, singer, and songwriter whose music encompasses and fuses a wide variety of genres including jazz, dance, pop, and soul...
, Amel Larrieux
Amel Larrieux
Amel Larrieux is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter and keyboardist. Larrieux rose to fame in the mid 1990s as a founding member of the duo Groove Theory along with Bryce Wilson. After leaving the group in 1999, she released her debut solo album Infinite Possibilities the following year on...
, UA
UA (singer)
, simply known by the stage name UA , is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She debuted under Speedstar Records in 1995 with the single "Horizon".-Biography:...
, Chara
Chara (singer)
, better known by her stage name Chara, is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress and video jockey. She debuted in 1991 with the single Heaven...
, Dragon Ash
Dragon Ash
are a Japanese Rap metal group founded in 1996 by Furuya "Kj" Kenji and Sakurai Makoto. They are an icon in Japan and were one of the first groups to popularize hip hop in Japan. They brought a western flavor to Japanese music and helped to turn rap music mainstream, with a mixture of reggae, rap,...
and even Ayumi Hamasaki
Ayumi Hamasaki
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, record producer, model, lyricist, and actress. Also called "Ayu" by her fans, Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" because of her popularity and widespread influence in Japan and throughout Asia. Born and raised in Fukuoka, she moved to Tokyo at fourteen to...
. In the midst of his collaborative work in 1997, he became a solo producer, releasing the R&B infused acid jazz
Acid jazz
Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop, particularly looped beats. It developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and could be seen as tacking the sound of jazz-funk onto electronic dance: jazz-funk musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd and Grant Green are...
and house album Closer.
He made a move from For Life Records to Sony Music Associated Records in 1999, where he began his own label. Throughout the years, Osawa acted as a producer for artists such as Bird and Eri Nobuchika
Eri Nobuchika
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, under the Fearless Records label on Sony Music Associated Records. She currently resides in Tokyo.- Early years :...
. His 2000 album MG4 displayed the diversity of his production, fusing jazz and house. It featured the hit song 'Life', featuring Bird. In 2003 he released Next Wave
Next Wave
Next Wave is a 2003 house album by Mondo Grosso. It contains collaborations with Kelis, Armand Van Helden, BoA, UA, Harry Romero and others.The track Blaze it Up appeared as BLZ on the soundtrack to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Fever Pitch....
, a more traditional house album.
Osawa provided the hypnotic array of techno music on the popular PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
game Lumines
Lumines
is a puzzle video game based on sound and light patterns. Created by game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi and his company, Q Entertainment, it was first released as a launch title for the PlayStation Portable in Japan on December 12, and released in North America on March 23 and released in Europe on...
in 2005. He did not reappear as a composer for its sequel.
In 2007 Osawa moved to avex trax
Avex Trax
, listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan...
. Feeling that, in comparison to his previous albums, the sound reflected more closely his DJ sets and performances (performed under his real name), Osawa released his electro house album The One
The One (Shinichi Osawa album)
The One is a 2007 album by Shinichi Osawa, and the first studio album released under his real name. The album is a major departure for Osawa; mainly electro house based, it also touches on fidget, glitch and more traditional house as well as rock...
under the moniker of 'Shinichi Osawa' rather than 'Mondo Grosso'. "Our Song" was the initial single released in Japan, followed by the Chemical Brothers cover Star Guitar. Under his real name, Osawa has received more international attention, creating acclaimed remixes of Felix da Housecat
Felix da Housecat
Felix da Housecat is an American DJ and record producer, mostly known for house music and electroclash. His name was inspired by Felix the Cat....
's "Radio" and Digitalism
Digitalism (band)
Digitalism is a German electro house duo founded in 2004 in Hamburg and consisting of Jens "Jence" Moelle and İsmail "Isi" Tüfekçi. They are signed to French label Kitsuné Music, and have released four singles to date: "Idealistic", "Zdarlight", "Jupiter Room", and "Pogo"...
's "Pogo". He also performed at Electric Daisy Carnival
Electric Daisy Carnival
Electric Daisy Carnival is an annual electronic dance music festival held in the South West United States on the last weekend of June. The event was held in Southern California from 1997 to 2010, and was moved to Las Vegas in 2011....
, which was his first performance in America. He is also featured in Clazziquai's Robotica album in a remix for Prayers by Christina Chu.
In 2008, he remixed #1-hit song Startin' by Japanese pop sensation Ayumi Hamasaki
Ayumi Hamasaki
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, record producer, model, lyricist, and actress. Also called "Ayu" by her fans, Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" because of her popularity and widespread influence in Japan and throughout Asia. Born and raised in Fukuoka, she moved to Tokyo at fourteen to...
. The mix appeared on the album Ayu-mi-x 6 -GOLD-
Ayu-mi-x 6 -GOLD-
Ayu-mi-x 6: Gold is a remix album released by Japanese pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki on March 26, 2008, alongside Ayu-mi-x 6: Silver. This is her sixth entry in the ayu-mi-x remix album series, and her first ayu-mi-x album since 2003's Ayu-mi-x V...
.
In October 2008, following a release of Star Guitar as a single by Data Records
Data Records
Data Records is a record label based in London, the record label is full owned by Ministry Of Sound. Releases by Data Records are often said they are released by Ministry Of Sound.-Albums:-Singles:*Some releases Infomation is From Discogs....
, Southern Fried Records
Southern Fried Records
Southern Fried Records is a London-based independent electronic dance music record label founded and owned by Norman Cook, better known by his stage name, Fatboy Slim...
made a digital release of The One in the UK. A physical release is scheduled for January 2009.
In November 2008, "Our Song" appeared on the 16th version
Beatmania IIDX 16: Empress
Beatmania IIDX 16: Empress is the 16th game in the Beatmania IIDX series of music video games. It was released in arcades by Konami on November 19, 2008 . The game features over 50 new songs, some of which are unlocked over Konami's e-Amusement platform...
of Konami
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
's DJ simulation series Beatmania IIDX
Beatmania IIDX
is a series of rhythm video games and the sequel to Beatmania that was first introduced by Konami in Japan on February 26, 1999. IIDX has since spawned over 19 arcade releases and over 13 console releases on the Sony PlayStation 2...
, alongside several other songs by Avex's House Nation group.
Osawa is currently involved in Ravex
Ravex
Ravex is a Japanese electronic music group, consisting of Shinichi Osawa, Tomoyuki Tanaka and Taku Takahashi. Established to mark the 20th anniversary of the Avex label, their productions are usually based on collaborations with other artists on the label...
, a collaboration with fellow Avex DJs Tomoyuki Tanaka and Taku Takahashi
Taku Takahashi
is a Japanese DJ and record producer, who debuted in 1998 as a member of the group M-Flo. The group rose to prominence in the early 2000s, with hit singles such as "How You Like Me Now?" and "Come Again." Takahashi was also a member of Avex's 20th anniversary dance music project Ravex, and has...
established to mark 20 years of Avex. Their debut album Trax was released on April 8, 2009, and follows the release of the singles I Rave U and Believe in LOVE - feat BoA
BoA
Boa Kwon , commonly stylized and known by her stage name BoA, which is a backronym for Beat of Angel, is a Korean singer, active in South Korea, Japan, and the United States and sometimes referred to as the "Queen of Korean Pop Music"....
.
Osawa released SO2
SO2 (album)
SO2 is an album released by Shinichi Osawa on June 30, 2010 and is the second studio album under his real name.-Track listing:# "Love Will Guide You" - 5:39 # "Sylkill" - 3:35# "Zingaro" - 5:49...
, the second album under his given name, on June 16, 2010 digitally and June 30 on CD/DVD.
In 2009, Osawa collaborated with Takeshi Kobayashi to form the duo Bradberry Orchestra. With the lead single "LOVE CHECK," Bradberry Orchestra released their first album "Vol.0" on March 16, 2011 in Japan through avex. Songs from the album have been used to promote Sony's Xperia
XPERIA
Xperia is the range of Sony Ericsson handsets which are smartphones. Since 2010 the company's main focus has been on these devices which now account for more than half of all sales. Xperia is derived from the word 'experience' which was used in the branding of the Xperia X1 in the catch line, "I ...
phone as well as SEGA
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
's Yakuza Of the End.
Mini albums
| 1993 | Marble |
| 1994 | Invisible Man |
| 1995 | Pieces From the Editing Floor |
Albums as head of Mondo Grosso
| 1993 | Mondo Grosso Etc. |
| 1995 | Born Free |
Solo albums
| 1998 | Closer |
| 2000 | MG4 |
| 2003 | Next Wave Next Wave Next Wave is a 2003 house album by Mondo Grosso. It contains collaborations with Kelis, Armand Van Helden, BoA, UA, Harry Romero and others.The track Blaze it Up appeared as BLZ on the soundtrack to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Fever Pitch.... |
| 2007 | The One The One (Shinichi Osawa album) The One is a 2007 album by Shinichi Osawa, and the first studio album released under his real name. The album is a major departure for Osawa; mainly electro house based, it also touches on fidget, glitch and more traditional house as well as rock... |
| 2010 | SO2 SO2 (album) SO2 is an album released by Shinichi Osawa on June 30, 2010 and is the second studio album under his real name.-Track listing:# "Love Will Guide You" - 5:39 # "Sylkill" - 3:35# "Zingaro" - 5:49... |
Live albums
| 1995 | The European Expedition |
| 2004 | "Live on the Next Wave (1 and 2)" |
Remix albums
| 1996 | Diggin' Into The Real |
| 1998 | The Man From The Sakura Hills |
| 2000 | Mondo Grosso Best Remixes |
| 2001 | MG4R |
| 2003 | Henshin |
| 2008 | The One+ |
| 2009 | TEPPAN-YAKI - A Collection of Remixes |
Singles
| 1995 | "Oh Lord, Let Me do No Wrong" |
| 1995 | "Family" |
| 1997 | "Laughter in The Rain" |
| 1997 | "Everyday Life/Thing Keep Changin"' |
| 2000 | "Life" (feat. Bird) |
| 2000 | "Butterfly" |
| 2000 | "Now You Know Better" |
| 2001 | "Don't Let Go" |
| 2002 | "Blz" |
| 2002 | "Everything Needs Love Everything Needs Love -Track listing:# "Everything Needs Love feat. BoA" - 6:39# "Everything Needs Love feat. BoA " - 6:45# "Everything Needs Dub feat. BoA" - 7:23# "Everything Needs Love feat. BoA " - 6:38... " (feat. BoA BoA Boa Kwon , commonly stylized and known by her stage name BoA, which is a backronym for Beat of Angel, is a Korean singer, active in South Korea, Japan, and the United States and sometimes referred to as the "Queen of Korean Pop Music".... ) |
| 2003 | "Shinin'" |
| 2003 | |
| 2007 | "Our Song" |
| 2008 | "Star Guitar Star Guitar "Star Guitar" is the second single from The Chemical Brothers 2002 album Come with Us. The song reached number eight in the UK Singles Chart and number two on the American dance chart.-Structure:... " (cover version of The Chemical Brothers The Chemical Brothers The Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo comprising Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. Originating in Manchester in 1991, along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Crystal Method, and fellow acts, they were pioneers at bringing the big beat genre to the forefront of pop culture.- Background... track) |
| 2008 | "Push" |
| 2008 | "Main Street Electrical Parade" |
| 2009 | "EEAA" |
| 2009 | "Love Will Guide You" |
Compilations
| 2000 | Sakurahills Disco 3000 |
| 2004 | Make the Style 'drivin' slow |
| 2009 | Teppan Yaki |
Mixes
| 2003 | Fearless"THE HOUSE" |
| 2004 | Mix the Vibe～STREET KING～ |
| 2005 | Fearless 4/4 Rockers |
| 2006 | Kitsune Udon |
Remixes
| 2000 | Jackson 5 - "Never Can Say Goodbye" |
| 2006 | Christopher & Raphael Just - "Popper" |
| 2006 | Plaid - "White's Dream" |
| 2006 | Anna Tsuchiya - "Ah Ah" |
| 2007 | Boys Noize - "Feel Good (TV = OFF)" |
| 2007 | Mighty Dub Kats - "Magic Carpet Ride 07'" |
| 2007 | 鉄コン筋クリート - "White's Dream" |
| 2007 | Digitalism - "Pogo" |
| 2007 | Clazziquai Project - "Prayers" |
| 2007 | Bunny Lake - "Strobe Love" |
| 2007 | Kap10Kurt - "Dangerseekers" |
| 2007 | Thomas Anderson - "Washing Up" |
| 2008 | Ayumi Hamasaki - "Startin" |
| 2008 | Felix Da Housecat - "Radio" |
| 2008 | Rubies - "Stand In A Line" |
| 2008 | TVMR - "Bowie In The Bronx" |
| 2008 | De De Mouse - "Light Night Dance" |
| 2008 | The Subs - "Papillon" |
| 2008 | MINMI - "Perfect Vision" |
| 2008 | Popular Computer - "Lost & Found" |
| 2008 | The Whip - "Blackout" |
| 2008 | Cazals - "Poor Innocent Boys" |
| 2008 | Alex Gopher - "Aurora" |
| 2009 | Bag Raiders - "Turbo Love" |
| 2009 | Van She - "Kelly" |
| 2009 | Girl Next Door - "情熱の代償" |
| 2009 | DJ Ozma - "Masurao" |
| 2009 | Lost Valentinos - "Thief" |
| 2009 | The Young Punx - "Rock Star" |
| 2009 | Hac Mac - "B B Girls B B Boys" |
| 2009 | Benny Benassi vs. Iggy Pop - "Electro Sixteen" |
| 2011 | Vandroid - "We Exist" |
| 2011 | Ayumi Hamasaki - "Appears" |
Works as producer and composer
| 1999 | Bird (for Bird Bird (singer) Bird is the alias for the Japanese singer Kitayama Yuki born December 9, 1975.- History :Kitayama graduated from Notre Dame Academy, a girls-only high school in the Kansai region. She then attended Kansai University and graduated with a undergraduate degree in sociology... ) |
| 2000 | Mindtravel (for Bird Bird (singer) Bird is the alias for the Japanese singer Kitayama Yuki born December 9, 1975.- History :Kitayama graduated from Notre Dame Academy, a girls-only high school in the Kansai region. She then attended Kansai University and graduated with a undergraduate degree in sociology... ) |
| 2005 | nobuchikaeri (for Eri Nobuchika Eri Nobuchika is a Japanese singer-songwriter, under the Fearless Records label on Sony Music Associated Records. She currently resides in Tokyo.- Early years :... ) |
External links
- Official website.
- FEARLESS RECORDS official site.
- Shinichi Osawa discography at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
. - Mondo Grosso discography at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
. - HMV Japan Top 100 Japanese Pop Artists.