Disappearance Diary: You should find this book

There is no book released in America I have even seen that is similar in theme or art style found in Disappearance Diary. It is definitely a MUST READ for a number of reasons and despite being pricy and, hard to find is well worth finding. This manga is special for a number of reasons and, benefits by not done in the conventional way manga is written. It’s very accurate account, despite the manga’s own warning that it is a less unpleasant of the story it depicts, it does a surprisingly good job of conveying the true picture while keeping it self up beat. Azuma is a great storyteller because he is willing to share the facts regarding events even when it reflects negatively upon himself, and is able to poke fun at himself and the people around him that might normally seem glum.

The art within Disappearance Diary serves a different purpose that of typical of manga because it conveys a true story. Disappearance Diary has the challenge of both expressing humor and, at the same showing an accurate account of parts of Hideo Asuma’s life story, where many points would normally seem extremely depressing. The art does a surprisingly good job doing both at the same time without losing much impact of the events. To create a sense of comedy within art style is done in a chibi like style and gives off a warm feeling, even in very uncomfortable situations. At the same time it is realistic and, does well in depicting unpleasant elements such as alcohol problems, smoking, uneasy social interactions and, editorial pressure. What really hits you about this work is it’s use of facial expression, it is clear that the at least facially there is a strong influence from experience artists such as Osamu Tezuka (who appears briefly in the story). The backgrounds are pretty good and though they sometimes are somewhat absent, they are always present when truly necessary. The artwork is relatively simple looking, but underneath its surface is very detailed work especially for its genera.

This manga is a combination of a gag manga with an Autobiography of the life of the manga artist (and writer of the book) Hideo Asuma. The book is divided roughly into three parts; each part expressing dramatic points the in Hideo life. The first part of the story focuses on Asuma’s first abandonment of the world of manga and society, he does this by abandoning his house, work and wife (a fellow manga artist), to become homeless and, live in the woods. It is amazing how resourceful he is as he deals with problems such as finding food, cigarettes, bedding and, surviving. Eventually a policeman who is suspicious of him picks him up and, soon he is returned back to society and his job. The next section starts with him once again abandoning society and becoming homeless, now however he is much older then he was during his first abandonment. Eventually he receives a job digging up and fixing pipes (through a slightly crooked man who constantly asks him for money), where he describes his misadventures with other workers at his job. Eventually he returns to manga work after he can longer take his job current job working with pipes. After which it gives the back-story, a kind of like prequel to the first story explaining how he got into manga and, why he ran away in the first place. The third part of the story involves his struggle with alcoholism and his rehabilitation. What is most interesting to me about this life story is the objective nature of the stories. Asuma neither truly endorses nor rejects his choices. He takes an upbeat look at his life and, yet still is willing the to show more discouraging elements of life, such as alcoholic delusions and, a suicide attempt while still making these dark elements some how seem funny.

Characterization within the story is of a high caliber, because it is so realistic and, yet played in such s humorous angle. Characters have realistic personality flaws, which Asuma loves to pokes fun at. At the same time Asuma is not afraid to poke fun at himself and, examine his own many problems. Many characters in his work are not likable characters, such as gawking crowds, his perverted co-worker (while working for the gas company) and, various alcoholics, such as one who gives away everything he has for friends and, another who tries trick money out of other patients. At the same time many of these characters are pitiable and, few are downright malicious. Many characters that are even likable have flaws and, are not always the understanding of how Asuma is feeling. The characters are more personable due to their flaws and, it is nice for an honest account of Asuma’s life with an inclusion of his sense of humor.

“This manga has a positive outlook on life, and so it has been made with as much realism removed as possible.” Despite this quote by Asuma at the beginning of the book, there is still quite a bit of realism within it and, this realism though dark is made by Asuma, into something more amusing then most manga are. This sense of realism creates a connection between the reader and Asuma’s story. The mixing of his light take on life with the realistically dark vision of life creates a work, which grabs the reader’s attention. This is definitely nothing like anything I have read before and is much more then just a worthwhile buy.

A trombone party: Purple Cha Cha Heels

The album Purple Cha Cha Heels by Brass Roots is a curious collection of songs with a Latin theme. Its music contains a neat flavor with a special blend of a variety of rhythm and soulful mixture creating a tasty mix of sound. Purple Cha Cha Heels employs many special techniques to create a rich sound despite it’s small and sparse instrumentation, it has a character and energy very much all it’s own. Although people may not of heard of Brass Roots (due to the fact that this seems like it’s only album) it is definitely worth your time to hear this group album.

It is hard to categorize this group into a single style, however it is clear what sorts of music’s influenced this group. One clear influence is definitely Latin music such as salsa, which can be found in the rhythms of many tracks. It is also clear by the use of call and response and, other rhythms there is a strong influence from Afro Cuban music upon the group. Brazilian like chord structure is also present in many of the tracks. All in all, the album seems to barrow a bit from almost every Latin jazz style to create a gumbo of sound and style.

The instrumentation for this album is for the most part simple and small, but are also used to there fullest to create the complex blend. The band’s foundation comes from the playing of the Ana Norgaard who plays a wide variety of percussive instruments that creates a strong feel and, gives the music a strong pulse. This pulse is the essential element to the music and, the foundation on which the album works as a whole. On top of that is a lower harmony from the second trombone Jim “Mondongo” Messbauer and Tim Meyer on the baritone sax part. These parts create strong sense beat and groove to the music, supporting the lead parts through the use of strong harmony. On the top of the sound is the lead trombone player Russel Jewell and sometimes the trumpet player Scott Aruda. These parts typically play either the melody or leading harmony, however these parts stand out less then a typically melodic part in this sort of music. Sometime Meyers plays flute, to add color instead of to the bass line. This mix up creates a brass-centered mixture driven by a rhythm and the flavor of the music more then really a single melody.

To make the best out of this blend the sound is layered, in a groove pattern to create a blend that allows for the most sound. Still even with this blend, at time the group will sound hollow due to the immense focus on brass groove lines and lack of instrumental variety. Occasionally the band will break a bit from this formula, but for the most part the band sticks to the layered groove approach for a majority of it’s tracks. These grooves are typically more on the simple, but pleasant side though occasionally there are some very difficult parts (especially in the Trombone parts). This is probably where the album is weakest; to create a nice mixture it loses some of it’s freedom of sound in return for it’s sound and, even with the blend it can only have so much variety of sound due to the small size of the group. On the other hand with the instruments it has it uses a nice variety of sounds and, song styles. Despite the lack of instrumentation and the sacrifices the band makes in freedom of sound, it makes up for somewhat with its variety of style.

The album Purple Cha Cha Heels uses an interesting concept to create a full sound with a small amount of similar instruments. Its strength also creates its weaknesses with a lack of free expression available due to its format. What is most impressive about this album however is its blend of various Latin styles. This is definitely worth picking up if you like Latin music and, if you can find it. It is very good and pleasant album, though it isn’t the best album and wouldn’t be my first pick for a Latin album, still it is definitely worth having if you can find it.