These titles do not translate neatly. They are neologisms, sound-pictures, or perhaps inside jokes. Let’s dissect each. Musical Character: Aggressive, percussive, microtonal.
The most enigmatic of the three. “Mamado” is not a Spanish word (closest is mamado – slang for “buff” or “drunk” in some Latin dialects), nor Japanese. Takeuchi has never explained the title. Fans speculate it is a portmanteau of mama (mother) and amado (beloved in Portuguese), or simply a nonsense word echoing Brazilian choro music. These titles do not translate neatly
If “Atomix” is a sprint, “Scarie” is a slow creep through a funhouse mirror. The title is a deliberate misspelling of “scary,” hinting at a childlike, almost naive sense of dread. Takeuchi removes the safety net of tonality here. Musical Character: Aggressive, percussive, microtonal
For the devoted classical and fingerstyle guitarist, the name Noriyasu Takeuchi resonates with a unique blend of technical rigor and whimsical eclecticism. While many know him for his masterful transcriptions of Japanese anime music (Joe Hisaishi’s Spirited Away ) or his rigorous editions of Baroque masters, a deeper cut in his discography has recently sparked a cult following: “Popular Pieces for Guitar Solo Vol. V” – specifically, the cryptic triptych of tracks titled Atomix , Scarie , and Mamado . Takeuchi has never explained the title
For now, copies of Volume V remain rare. But with growing interest on forums like Delcamp and Classical Guitar Delight, a reprint may be imminent. Until then, treasure any recording or PDF you find. And if you learn to play “Mamado” cleanly, post it online. Noriyasu Takeuchi might just be watching – and perhaps, finally, he will explain what that title means.