Profile
Now is the Time
  1. Now is the Time
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    Yo Kano (music, vocals, arranging and sequencing)
    Eva Rainforth (lyrics, vocals)
  2. Theme of the World Congress on Technology
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    Yo Kano (music, vocals, arranging and sequencing)
    Julie King (lyrics)
  3. Now is the Time (Karaoke)
  4. Theme of the World Congress on Technology (Karaoke)


I wrote Now is the Time for the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations in 1995 as a member of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a non-government organization of the U.N. SGI is a worldwide association of practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism active in 186 countries and territories. Committed to fostering individual potentialities for hope, courage, and altruistic action, the SGI’s activities are focused on promoting world peace through cultural and educational exchange. Let us unite together to ensure that the 21st century becomes the time for humanity.

WORLD CONGRESS ON TECHNOLOGY
The first World Congress on Technology, which was held in Crystal City, Virginia just outside of Washington, DC in December 1991, was an assembly of persons who represented a wide variety of interests throughout the entire world, including, for example, governments, corporations, non-profit organizations, sole proprietorships, and the United Nations (UN). Also, many people attended solely as a matter of interest in the movement that was begun with this meeting of experts, scientists, educators, and others.

This was the first meeting held by the World Congress on Technology, a once in at least every ten year meeting to bring together the forces of knowledge, interests in the need for technology in the lives of people with disabilities, interests in the need for research to advance technology, interests in the need to turn the developments of research into advances in technology, and interests in the need to achieve progress by application of technology both in the workplace and in the day to day living environment.

The World Congress on Technology convened, for the first time, all interests worldwide to begin a leap forward in the lives of people with disabilities by promoting the advancement of technology and its application. Thus, it was significant that the United Nations was a major "player" in the World Congress on Technology, because of its influence throughout the entire world. Eight hundred people from forty nine countries attended, and seventy exhibitors from all over the world demonstrated their prototypes and products.

This coming together gave birth to a "spirit" that has had lasting effect relative to the objectives of the Congress. However, the spirit born in 1991 must from time to time be nourished so that growth is ensured. To this end, a second World Congress on Technology will be held soon. And, again, the UN will play a leading role. The Theme of the World Congress on Technology is embodied in song and is now available on this CD. With moving lyrics written by the talented Julie King and the memorable music composed by the talented Yo Kano, this musical composition is presented by Mr. Yo Kano.


YO!
  1. 79th Street Boat Basin
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    Yo Kano (music)
  2. Come Sunday
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    Yo Kano (music)
    Mick Stern (lyrics)
  3. A Night In New York
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    Yo Kano (music)
    Mick Stern (lyrics)
  4. Swingin' Down Broadway
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    Yo Kano (music)
  5. The Sun is Shining Where You Are
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    Yo Kano (music)
    Steven Tannenbaum (lyrics)
  6. Jelisa
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    Yo Kano (music)
    Yo Kano/Dalia Sakas (lyrics)
  7. Funk Akita Ondo
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    Japanese traditional music from Akita prefecture
  8. Umi e Kinasai
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    Katsu Hoshi (music)
    Yosui Inoue (lyrics)


When asked to make this CD I had to think hard about what kind of project this would be. I have played many different types of music since my teen years and still do. I could compose original tunes, record some of my older tunes, play standard jazz tunes in new arrangements, or sing Japanese songs. I love purely instrumental pieces too. It was proving very difficult to limit myself to one genre. So this CD presents a variety of the best of my life like an assortment of candies you get in a big box that’s me, Yo Kano.

Come Sunday and The Sun is Shining Where You Are are two original songs written expressly for this album. Jelisa is the first song I wrote in English when I was eighteen years old. A Night in New York, written in 1981, was published and recorded by various artists in Japan as well as in the United States. The two instrumental tunes, 79th Street Boat Basin and Swingin’ Down Broadway, were written for my jazz concert in New York. Funk Akita Ondo was my favorite tune from my touring days with a Japanese traditional music ensemble in my teen years. The lyrics describe the beautiful scenery, wonderful food, and beautiful women of Akita prefecture in Japan. Using a funk beat and the Akita dialect heightened the humor in this song for me. Umi e Kinasai (Come to the Ocean) has been a favorite of mine and in my repertoire since the early eighties because of the lyrics of Yosui Inoue: 

Have skin that does not burn with the rays of the sun,
Have hair that melts into the salty sea air,
Have the strength to swim forever, have the heart to sing forever.
Have a gentle hand to touch the fish,
Come to the ocean, be happy with all your heart. 

Have sturdy legs so that you can walk against the wind,
Have ears to listen to the shells,
Have eyelids that will shut the darkness out,
Have eyes so that you may count the stars.
Have gentle fingers so that you can wipe the tears,
Come to the ocean, be happy with all your heart.


SUKIYAKI
(Japanese pop songs from the 60s and early 70s)

  1. UEO MUITE ARUKO (SUKIYAKI)
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    Hachidai Nakamura (music)
    Rokusuke Ei (lyrics)
  2. MIAGETEGORAN YORUNO HOSHIO
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    Taku Izumi (music)
    Rokusuke Ei (lyrics)
  3. KANASHIKUTE YARIKIRENAI
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    Kazuhiko Kato (music)
    Hachiro Sato (lyrics)
  4. KEKKON SHIYOYO
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    Takuro Yoshida (music, lyrics)
  5. BOKUNO MUNEDE OYASUMI
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    Tsuguto Yamada (music, lyrics)
  6. TOOI SEKAINI
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    Takashi Nishioka (music, lyrics)
  7. SHIRETOKO RYOJO
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    Hisaya Morishige (music, lyrics)
  8. NAGORIYUKI
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    Shozo Ise (music, lyrics)
  9. YUMENO NAKAE
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    Yosui Inoue (music, lyrics)
  10. 5BANGAI NO MARI
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    Shun'ichi Tokura (music)
    Aku Yu (lyrics)
  11. OTOKOWA TSURAIYO
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    Naozumi Yamamoto (music)
    Tetsuro Hoshino (lyrics)
  12. TINSAGUNO HANA
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    Children's song from Okinawa


Produced by Yo Kano
Yo Kano (vocals,arranging and computer sequencing)


HAHA (MOTHER)
(From the Soka Gakkai International song collections)

  1. HAHA (MOTHER)
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    Mami Matsubara/Mariko Matsumoto (music)
    Shin'ichi Yamamoto (lyrics)
  2. MORIGASAKI KAIGAN (MORIGASAKI BEACH)
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    Takami Honda (music)
    Shin'ichi Yamamoto (lyrics)
  3. HAHA (MOTHER) (Karaoke)
  4. MORIGASAKI KAIGAN (MORIGASAKI BEACH) (Karaoke)


Produced by Yo Kano
Yo Kano (vocals,arranging and computer sequencing)



Purchase Information

Please click here to buy YO!

Please click here to buy NOW IS THE TIME

Please click here to buy SUKIYAKI

Please click here to buy MOTHER






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