In 2004, after over a dozen fully produced projects primarily released in Japan, she recorded a sonically raw duet album with American jazz guitarist Adam Rogers entitled Naked Breath.  “I felt it represented the acoustic performances I often do when not in a full band setting or singing over pre-recorded tracks,” says Monday.  Yoshihisa Suzuki who originally hails from the city of Oita, just miles from Monday’s childhood home of Beppu in southern Japan, has been her preferred guitarist when touring Japan since 2007.  The two have forged a tight musical language after years of performing together captured in this follow-up to the first Naked Breath release, which also commemorates 30 years since Monday’s debut in Japan.  “Yoshi is a very accomplished guitarist and soloist in his own right, and has been incredibly generous in the way he interprets and elevates many of my compositions,” says Monday.  

True to her love of creating hybrids and breaking conventional genres, perhaps the result of her cultural mix and being the daughter of jazz musicians, the album flirts with soul, jazz, Brazilian, and even rock and classical styles.  Seven new compositions, an acoustic version of “Brasilified” from her album of the same title, and a cover of Prince’s “Wanna Be Your Lover” as well as Jobim’s “One Note Samba” make up the ten tracks on Naked Breath 2.  Says Monday on the new compositions:  “I’ve let go a long time ago of trying to be relevant with my peers or what’s trending in the music landscape and just be true to where my compositions take me.  I gleaned a little from Marie Kondo’s book on decluttering: Does it spark joy?  When I feel it, I know I’m on the right track.”  

— Naked Breath 2 review:  “Monday’s always had an expressive voice, but she really knocks it out of the park here — working so many different inflections, twists and turns into her lyrics — so much so, we don’t even miss the other instrumentation at all.  Few folks could make an album this vivid with so little — but then again, Monday’s always been a rare breed!” — Dusty Groove, Chicago

CREDITS

Vocals, flute, shakers, thigh slaps, claps and finger snaps:  Monday Michiru

Guitars:  Yoshihisa Suzuki

Additional claps:  Kayo Darlington and Robert J. Chaves

Additional finger snaps:  Dave Darlington

All songs (except those marked with *) written by Monday Michiru Mariano (ASCAP)

Published by Two Winds Publishing Co. (ASCAP)

* “Wanna Be Your Lover” written by Prince Rogers Nelson (Universal Music Publishing Group)

* “One Note Samba” written by Antonio Carlos Jobim (Universal Music Publishing Group)

Recording, mix and mastering by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Recording, NYC

Photography, Make-up and Hair by Takashi Matsuzaki

Additional Studio Photography by Teru Yoshida

Artwork and Design by Brian McDermott (BMDNY)