Umeko Ando (1932-2004) was a folk singer from Japan. She is a representative of the Ainu culture on the Hokkaido Island in the north of Japan.

Iuta Upopo was released on her last album Upopo Sanke in 2003, produced by Oki Kano (Oki Dub Ainu Band). Upopo is the name of a particular singing style which involves repetition, while Iuta simply means song. Umeko Ando performs this minimalistic vocal in a brittle, emotional manner which is framed by a slow, percussive pulse and Oki’s Tonkori patterns (the Tonkori is a string instrument of the Ainu).

Pressed on vinyl for the first time.