OLAibi was a Japanese percussion-based experimental music project by [url=https://discogs.com/artist/197579]AI[/url] from Osaka, ex-member of OOIOO who regularly works with Takagi Masakatsu. In her music, OLAibi incorporates ancient Okinawan influences and uses steel drums, pianica, exotic percussion instruments. Since her childhood, AI was deeply inspired and mesmerized by Africa, and discovering Western African drums in later years mainly triggered her further musical activities.
In 2006, OLAibi produced the debut Humming Moon Drip album, released by Polystar and created with the assistance of Yoshimi. It was recorded with an emphasis on various hand drums (conga, djembe, bukarub), all tuned differently to be able to express anything, from melody to bassline.
Following OOIOO, OLAibi was signed by Japanese label Felicity, which produced her second album Tingaruda in Jan 2009. Produced entirely by AI handling everything from vocals to drums, this mysterious blend of ethnic minimalism pop and downtempo featured karimba (mbiru), guitar, organ, whistles and other instruments performed with innovative, avantgarde percussive approach. A critically acclaimed third CD New Rain, presented by Felicity in Oct 2012, included a diverse list of prominent collaborators and featured guests: Takagi Masakatsu, Japanese guitarist Hanaregumi (Takashi Nagazumi), Shibuya-kei star Kahimi Karie, [url=https://discogs.com/artist/974823]Aya[/url] from OOIOO, and Oorutaichi (Taichi Moriguchi).
In 2013, AI left Tokyo and moved with her family to the desolated jungle to live in seclusion. Following constant traveling with OOIOO across Japan and around the world and other non-stop activities, she decided to quit the band and focused on OLAibi as her solo output. With her family members, she gradually built a foot pedestal and HUT in the forest, which later became an outdoor studios and new homebase to produce and present music.
In 2017, OLAibi launched new label sunet and released new album みみはわす (Mimihawasu) to commemorate this.
On October 10, 2023, AI passed away after a long illness.
2017
2012
Felicity
CD, Album
2009
Felicity
CD, Album
2006
Polystar, Felicity
CD, Album
2006
Plankton (2), Vivo (3)
CD, Comp
2024
Universal Music
12", Single
2023
2022
birdFriend
Cass
2014
Heartfast
CD, Album
2013
2011
2010
Epiphany Works
DVD-V, Album
2009
Epiphany Works
CD, Album, Boo
2009
2008
Universal Music
CD, Album
2007
P-Vine Records
CD, Album, Boo
2007
Crue-L Records
CD, Album
2007
2006
Felicity, Polystar, God Only Knows Music
CD, Album, Comp
2004
2002
Crue-L Records
CD, Album
2018
rizm
CD, Comp
2014
Felicity
CD, Comp
2014
Felicity
CD, Comp, pap
2011
Dummy Records
File, MP3, Mixed, 256
2007
Post.Label
CDr, Mixed, Promo
2006
Lastrum
CD, Comp
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