Abaut Samurai label
- 1977 - The disbandment of "SOOO BAAD REVUE," the legendary monster band that sent shockwaves throughout Japan.
Now, after a lapse of nearly 50 years, an unfathomable musical impact is about to be unleashed.
There was a legendary pianist and keyboardist who reigned as the "backbone" of the 1970s Japanese music scene, hailed as a solitary genius.
For half a century, bowing to no one and staying thoroughly true to his way of life and musicality, he has perfected a "world-standard groove" and an "unshakable musical foundation," honed to the absolute limit.
Now, that absolute music tears through half a century of silence, erupting as an overwhelming shockwave destined to shake the world.
To present this directly to the world without an ounce of compromise, an absolute stronghold was established to shake the souls of listeners.
That is "SAMURAI LABEL Inc."
Its headquarters is situated along the shores spanning from Itoshima—the mythological birthplace of Amaterasu—to Hakata Bay.
It is a "mythical land of resurrection" that purifies all division and chaos, elevating them into a grand harmony. It is "Chikushi," a profoundly special place that miraculously sparks the true fusion (Aufheben) of East and West.
Now, resonating with the profound energy of this unique land, a miraculous vanguard has gathered under the banner of Toshiyuki Kokubu, ready to unleash a "global symphony transcending the boundaries of East and West" upon the world.
Samurai Label Members
Megumi Yuuki 結城芽久美 ( CEO & President )
"A leader who orchestrates the harmony between sensibility and management, unleashing artists' souls to the world."
As the President and CEO of SAMURAI LABEL Inc., she oversees everything from the formulation of the label's vision to its management strategy and the direction of its global expansion. She possesses a unique sense of balance that fuses the artist's pure desire for expression with the business perspective necessary to elevate it to world-class value at an exceptionally high level. Placing the label's spiritual pillar—"No matter how severe the winter, it will eventually turn to spring"—at the very core of her management, she has built a solid track record of achievements.
— January 5, 2025 —
Launched SAMURAI LABEL.
— March 29, 2025 —
Initiated the worldwide distribution of THE SUPER 3 to over 100 countries from the land of Chikushi, Fukuoka, through "Ditto Music" in Liverpool, UK.
— April 28, 2025 —
Incorporated the label and established SAMURAI LABEL Inc. By successfully concluding direct negotiations with one of the world's premier CD pressing plants (OM in Germany), among other strategic achievements, she cleared the strict screening processes of domestic mega-banks. She opened a corporate bank account with unprecedented speed for an emerging label less than a year old, maximizing its potential as a cutting-edge entity.
— June 2025 —
Achieved the remarkable feat of securing multiple nominations on international playlists alongside global giants such as Nat King Cole, in less than three months since the start of distribution.
As a leader who respects the souls of artists and fiercely defends the "stronghold" to deliver their true value to the world, she continues to drive the rapid advancement of SAMURAI LABEL Inc.
Toshiyuki Kokubu (Teruyuki Kokubu) 国府利征
( Music Producer / Pianist / Composer / Executive Officer )
"A seeker who fuses a half-century of frontline experience with music theory, piercing the absolute truth of groove."
Hailed as a "prodigy" at the age of 13, he began his professional career at 15. Since the dawn of the Japanese blues scene, he has accumulated historic recordings and sessions with artists such as Weeping Harp Senoh, June Yamagishi, Char, Makoto Kubota & SUNSET GANG, Masaki Ueda, Yutaka Ozaki, Ann Lewis, Haruomi Hosono, Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami, and Louis Johnson. He has traversed the musical frontlines of Japan, the U.S., and Europe, including recording sessions in L.A. and Hawaii, and performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
= 1970s =
He made his name as the legendary pianist and keyboardist of the phantom monster band "SOOO BAAD REVUE" that shook Japan, and is currently active as a member and producer of "THE SUPER 3."
He possesses overwhelming frontline experience, having continuously exchanged sounds with the world's pinnacle musicians such as James Gadson, Sly & Robbie, Louis Johnson, George Duke, David T. Walker, and Walter Bishop Jr. Furthermore, he has deeply studied Paul Hindemith's theory of "Extended Harmony" from the perspective of "Eastern Philosophy," establishing a unique method that perceives music as a three-dimensional law of nature.
The culmination of this exploration has been proven: immediately upon release, the treasured recordings of THE SUPER 3 resonated in over 100 countries worldwide, earning international acclaim that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with historic global giants.
As the musical core of SAMURAI LABEL Inc., he is the frontline commander who eliminates all compromise, continuously unleashing the "authentic" sound from Japan to the rest of the world.
Rie Kokubu (Chizuru Tanaka) 国府里枝
( Executive Officer / Sales Manager SAMURAI LABEL Inc. / THE SUPER３ Manager )
"The Supreme Management: Supporting the Core of Music History across Japan, the U.S., and Korea, and Awakening the Souls of Artists"
A professional who has consistently demonstrated her expertise at the "core" of the Japanese music industry for over a quarter of a century. The true essence of her career goes beyond conventional management; it lies in "environmental design and strategy" that maximizes artists' potential and guides them to world-class success.
= 1990s =
At the core of her achievements is the management of the legendary blues singer Toru Oki, who was respected across the U.S. as "Mr. Yellow Blues." It was a historic project built by Oki, who moved the entire U.S. from his base in New York, alongside the giants of the American Black music scene. To make this massive vision a reality in Japan, Rie Kokubu (then Chizuru Tanaka) took on the full responsibility of management.
She remained unyielding against the conservative industry culture and prejudices unique to Japan, which often tried to confine outstanding achievements into a "box." Instead, she steadily completed projects in Japan involving global legends such as Ben E. King, Albert King, and Stuff. Feeling the intense heat of the authentic, severe entertainment business firsthand, she successfully drew massive budgets from domestic record companies and achieved extraordinary audience turnouts. Her capability is truly a paragon of management that Japan should proudly show the world.
= 1996 and beyond =
Particularly noteworthy is her unparalleled "A&R" and "Artist Development" capabilities demonstrated during her journey with pianist Toshiyuki Kokubu. Recognizing Kokubu's incomparable talent, she resolved to become a thorough pillar of support from both spiritual and environmental aspects. She designed and maintained a robust production environment where the artist could focus solely on improving his skills and creating without any anxiety.
Through this devoted environmental construction, Kokubu was able to immerse himself in his research, leading to an unprecedented deepening: the construction of a unique form of expression (East-West fusion) that integrates Paul Hindemith's theories with Eastern philosophy. The most symbolic fruition of this is the masterpiece "Spring Flower," which paved the way for THE SUPER 3's 1st album "THE SUN OF A NEW BEGINNING."
= January 5, 2025 =
The launch of SAMURAI LABEL. Behind its spread to over 100 countries worldwide and international remarkable achievements lies Rie Kokubu's outstanding management, which has built the absolute foundation for the label's establishment over many years. Her gritty yet solid development skills permeate the true value of the artist into the market. Here lies the resilient core for SAMURAI LABEL to gather firm trust and high expectations in the global market.
■ Specific Achievements and History
= September 1987 =
Involved in the release of the joint album "I’LL BE ALRIGHT" by Toru Oki and Ben E. King, the author of "Stand By Me."
= December 1990 =
Served as the Japanese-side management for Toru Oki's 8th Japan Tour (Gordon Edwards & Stuff II).
= 1991 =
Guest appearance on the 33rd Grammy Awards TV Special in New York.
= 1991 =
Directed the Japanese-side media response and management for the release of the legendary song "Tamashii no Kakera (Fragments of the Soul)," written and composed by Toru Oki at the request of Hibari Misora, and sung by Patti Kim.
= November 1991 =
Supported the formation of the super duo "The MANHATTAN Brothers" with Ben E. King, and took charge as the Japanese management director for a 9-location nationwide concert tour and album release.
= 1992 =
Self-produced Toru Oki's 25th-anniversary live house tour. Rejecting fierce opposition from the agency and prejudices against newcomers and women, she negotiated directly with the vice president of the record company. Driven by intense passion and determination to elevate the artist to new heights under the banner of "Return to Origins," she secured an unprecedented budget, achieving a historic success with all performances sold out and turning a profit.
= March 1992 =
Released the first Japanese single CD, "Kanashii Uta (Sad Song)."
= 1996 =
Started managing Toshiyuki Kokubu (a.k.a. Teruyuki). Constructed a production environment to support his advanced music theory research and immense practice volume, accomplishing an "Artist Development" that elevated him to world-class musicality. Laid the foundation for the birth of numerous masterpieces.
= May 26, 2001 =
Managed Toshiyuki Kokubu's 35th-anniversary concert, "Winds Of Asia 2001." Successfully completed a legendary concert spanning 8 hours in Harajuku, Tokyo. Subsequently, she launched the management of the "Winds of Asia Project," continuing to provide robust support for Kokubu's musical exploration and further leaps in his activities.
= August 19, 2012 =
Accompanied and supported as on-site management for THE SUPER 3's appearance and live recording at the "OKITSUMO JAZZ FESTIVAL."
= 2014 =
Mobilized a full house for TS3's first live performances in Tokyo and Osaka, receiving immense critical acclaim and garnering widespread attention.
= 2016 =
Directed sales and promotion for TS3's live performances in Tokyo, Osaka, and other locations, consistently supporting the success of full-house turnouts from behind the scenes.
= 2025 =
Appointed as Executive Officer and Sales Manager upon the launch of SAMURAI LABEL Inc. She now bears the heavy responsibility of expanding the "world-class music" cultivated through years of environmental development into the global market through strategic management.
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