Soulhead

Infobox musical artist
Name = Soulhead
Img_capt = Sisters Yoshika and Tsugumi, also known as the Japanese duo Soulhead, promoting "BRAIDED"
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Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Hokkaidō
Genre = Urban contemporary
Years_active = 2002-present
Label = Sony Music Associated Records
onenation
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.soulhead.net SOULHEAD official web site]
Current_members =

• Yoshika

• Tsugumi

Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Soulhead is a Japanese urban contemporary duo consisting of sisters nihongo|Yoshika|よしか|, born 20 July 1978 and nihongo|Tsugumi|つぐみ|, born 25 January 1981 who hail from Hokkaidō. Before they assumed the name Soulhead, they were known as Batti Baas. Batti Baas released one vinyl single through Handcuts Records called "Lovin' You", which featured Aaron Blackmon. The song was a remake of the Minnie Riperton standard. In February 2002 they released a CD single through Tokuma Japan Communications called "Inside Out". After changing their name to Soulhead, the duo was signed to Sony Music Associated Records. The label sent them one year abroad to Australia and New Zealand to improve their proficiency in English. They released their debut single "Step to the New World" on 24 July 2002 as a vinyl 12" single. In 2006, they were transferred to Sony Music Associated Records' sublabel, onenation. So far they have released 15 singles, 3 regular albums, 2 remix albums & 1 greatest hits album and they have also been featured on 1 single. They have also appeared on various compilations. Soulhead's sound is a blend between various genres such as soul, hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, reggae and funk, and many of their lyrics are in English. They usually work with the production team known as Octopussy. They have also worked on releases with other Japanese artists such as Kumi Koda and Soul'd Out, and Yoshika is also a renowned song-writer who have worked with artists such as Sowelu, Ken Hirai, & Crystal Kay. On 21 February 2007 they released a compilation called "Best of Soulhead", which contained all their singles released to date, as well as some B-sides. It came as a CD only, and CD+DVD package.

Influences

Some musical artists who they respect are Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dog, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Takuro Yoshida, & Ice Cube.

Discography

Albums

* "Oh My Sister" 5/03/2003; #3, 22 weeks, 214,545 copies sold
* "Re-construct album Vol.1 "Reflection" 26/09/2003; #89, 5 weeks, 9,602 copies sold
* "Braided" 28/04/2004; #4, 13 weeks, 139,992 copies sold
* "Naked" 08/03/2006; #5, 17 weeks
* "Re-construct album Vol.2 "Crystallized" 21/06/2006; #41, 4 weeks
* "Best of Soulhead" 21/02/2007; #5, 2 weeks

ingles

* "Lovin' You" 1/07/2001 (as Batti Baas featuring Aaron Blackmon)
* "Inside Out" 6/02/2002 (as Batti Baas)
* "Step to the New World" 24/7/2002 (12"), 21/08/2002 (CD); #24, 17 weeks, 59,287 copies sold
* "Lover, Knight, Man" 20/11/2002; #36, 8 weeks, 18,410 copies sold
* "nihongo|Sora|空|sky" 5/02/2003; #28, 6 weeks, 16,035 copies sold
* "Oh My Sister (remix)"/"I'm just going down" 2/5/2003;#114, 3 weeks, 2,561 copies sold
* "Get Up! EP" 30/7/2003; #28, 6 weeks, 15,967 copies sold
* "Break Up (DJ Masterkey remix)"/"PLAYBOY (Saigenji remix)" 20/08/2003
* "Too Late (DJ Watarai remix)"/"SONG FOR YOU (DJ HIROnyc remix)" 20/08/2003
* "Lover, Knight, Man (D.O.I. + Octopussy remix)"/"MOON SHINE (Doggystyle remix)" 10/09/2003
* "To Da Fake MCS (D.O.I. remix)"/"nihongo|Sky|空|sora (Tomita Lab. remix)" 26/09/2003
* "You Can Do That" 21/01/2004; #36, 12 weeks, 18,691 copies sold
* "No Way" 24/03/2004; #50, 4 weeks, 5,353 copies sold
* "At The Party" 2/06/2004
* "nihongo|Sky|空|sora" 7/07/2004 (re-release)
* "Oh My Sister (remix)/I'm just going down" 7/07/2004 (re-release)
* "Get Up! EP" 7/07/2004 (re-release)
* "Fiesta" 25/05/2005; #35, 4 weeks, 7,773 copies sold
* "Sparkle☆Train"/"Got to leave" 14/12/2005; #30, 6 weeks, 15,324 copies sold
* "D.D.D. (with Kumi Koda" 21/12/2005; #5, 3 weeks, 47,608 copies sold
* "Pray"/"XXX (featuring Kumi Koda)" 27/01/2006; #22, 2 weeks, 10,109 copies sold
* "XXX (worked by Sa-Ra)"/"Pray (worked by Kenny Dope)" 13/07/2006
* "Sparkle☆Train (worked by Mark de Clive-Lowe)"/"YOU CAN DO THAT (worked by Reel People)" 13/07/2006
*/nihongo|"Itsumademo..."|いつまでも…|Forever 6/12/2006; #56, 3 weeks
* "Dear Friends" 24/1/2007; #60, 1 week

Video

* "Oh My Sister LIVE&CLIPS" 8/10/2003
* "Soulhead tour 2006 "Naked" 9/08/2006
* "5th Anniversary Tour: Best Of Soulhead" 7/11/2007

References

* Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (2006) [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/SOULHEAD/index2.html Soulhead official web site - Biography]
* NTT Communications (2006) [http://www.oikake.net/artists/Soulhead/profile/ SOULHEAD profile & review - J-POP OikakeNet]
* Oricon Inc. (2006) [http://www.oricon.co.jp/artists/h/301862/ Soulhead release summary - ORICON STYLE music]

External links

* [http://www.soulhead.net Soulhead official web site]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Soulhead Soulhead discography @ Discogs]
* [http://www.oricon.co.jp/artists/301862/ Soulhead @ Oricon Style music]
* [http://www.oikake.net/artists/Soulhead/ Soulhead @ OikakeNet]
* [http://www.Soulhead-Online.com/ English Soulhead Site]