Toshi Kubota Interview

There aren’t too many recording artists that have successfully bridged the east west divide but Toshi (he’s now dropped the surname Kubota) is certainly one of them. He’s sold 11 millions albums in his native Japan and now he’s about to release his third English speaking album. His musical journey began in his father’s retail store when he discovered an offer, whereby in exchange for dozens of soda bottle tops, he would receive a free album. The album was by the Stylistics. He couldn’t read the words and it took three years to acquire a record player to play it on. “I’m not sure if my father ever found out, but there were lots of opened soda cans with no tops in the store!” By this time, he had discovered Stevie Wonder and this proved to be a life-changing experience. “It just changed everything for me. His voice, his songs, everything was different from anything I had ever heard before. I saw him on television and I just wanted to be a singer like him. Apart from Stevie, I also listened a lot to Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and George Clinton” By the time he reached high school, Toshi had formed his own band and was performing in various clubs in Tokyo. Not the most rewarding experience as often the attending audience would range from 3 people to as many as 10! “Not once did I ever think about stopping. I couldn’t as my dream was always to be a singer” He got his lucky break. In the audience one night was the representative from a major record label. Toshi was introduced to a jazz musician who was looking for a vocalist for his upcoming jazz album. “I went to the studio and performed one song and that was my first experience in the studio. The music was well received and that song became one of demo tracks”. The release of his vocals on that jazz album was a pivotal moment in Toshi’s career. Signed to Sony Records, his debut album was released in 1996, he followed that with “Nothing But Love” in 2000 and now in 2004 sees the release of “Time To Share”. . Across all three albums he’s worked with some of the biggest players in the business. Names which include The Roots, Raphael Saadiq and on his new album, Angie Stone. “I really wanted to work with these people. They have taught me how to make the music and how to enjoy the music. It’s a lovely feeling when someone I admire like Ahmir from The Roots tells me that I could change the way people think about soul music. It means so much to me to be respected by the people who love and understand the same music that I do. I met Angie through the work I did with Raphael Saadiq four years ago. I called her up and now we have become very good friends. She has written four tracks for the new album and she helps me a lot with the lyrics due to the language issue or if I need to express myself. One of those four tracks is the lovely mid-tempo swayer Hold Me Down. The track was scheduled to be the lead single but in order to avoid clashing with the release of Angie’s own new album this decision was reversed. Promotional CD and 12” singles have appeared in limited quantities in the UK and listeners to Solar have been enjoying this mellow sweet duet for several weeks.

There aren’t too many recording artists that have successfully bridged the east west divide but Toshi (he’s now dropped the surname Kubota) is certainly one of them. He’s sold 11 millions albums in his native Japan and now he’s about to release his third English speaking album. His musical journey began in his father’s retail store when he discovered an offer, whereby in exchange for dozens of soda bottle tops, he would receive a free album. The album was by the Stylistics. He couldn’t read the words and it took three years to acquire a record player to play it on. “I’m not sure if my father ever found out, but there were lots of opened soda cans with no tops in the store!” By this time, he had discovered Stevie Wonder and this proved to be a life-changing experience. “It just changed everything for me. His voice, his songs, everything was different from anything I had ever heard before. I saw him on television and I just wanted to be a singer like him. Apart from Stevie, I also listened a lot to Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and George Clinton” By the time he reached high school, Toshi had formed his own band and was performing in various clubs in Tokyo. Not the most rewarding experience as often the attending audience would range from 3 people to as many as 10! “Not once did I ever think about stopping. I couldn’t as my dream was always to be a singer” He got his lucky break. In the audience one night was the representative from a major record label. Toshi was introduced to a jazz musician who was looking for a vocalist for his upcoming jazz album. “I went to the studio and performed one song and that was my first experience in the studio. The music was well received and that song became one of demo tracks”. The release of his vocals on that jazz album was a pivotal moment in Toshi’s career. Signed to Sony Records, his debut album was released in 1996, he followed that with “Nothing But Love” in 2000 and now in 2004 sees the release of “Time To Share”. . Across all three albums he’s worked with some of the biggest players in the business. Names which include The Roots, Raphael Saadiq and on his new album, Angie Stone. “I really wanted to work with these people. They have taught me how to make the music and how to enjoy the music. It’s a lovely feeling when someone I admire like Ahmir from The Roots tells me that I could change the way people think about soul music. It means so much to me to be respected by the people who love and understand the same music that I do. I met Angie through the work I did with Raphael Saadiq four years ago. I called her up and now we have become very good friends. She has written four tracks for the new album and she helps me a lot with the lyrics due to the language issue or if I need to express myself. One of those four tracks is the lovely mid-tempo swayer Hold Me Down. The track was scheduled to be the lead single but in order to avoid clashing with the release of Angie’s own new album this decision was reversed. Promotional CD and 12” singles have appeared in limited quantities in the UK and listeners to Solar have been enjoying this mellow sweet duet for several weeks.
What’s behind the album title “Time To Share”?	You may not notice when you first listen, but I use the word ‘share’ in almost every love song on this album. I want people to share with me, feel the emotions I felt when I recorded the music.
You’ve dropped the surname and call yourself Toshi. Why?	It was my decision and I just thought it would make it easier. It is very important for me to attract an audience outside of Japan and I thought it would it would be simpler to just call myself Toshi.
Do you have any plans to tour in 2004?	I would love to! It is 5 or 6 years since I was last in the UK but I really want to come back there and perform. This year I need to be in the UK. The time is right for me to be promoting my album in that market.
Angie Stone released her new album this summer; maybe you could do a gig together?	Oh yes! That will be easy to arrange.
Of the current artists recording today, whom are you listening to?	Mainly neo soul artists such as Musiq, Angie Stone and Erykah Badu.
What are your plans for the future?	My main goal is to find an audience outside of Japan. I want to reach people across all walks of life with my music.