Studio Mule Japan Vinyl & CDs

Review: More from Studio Mule's must-check "Midnight In Tokyo" series, which gathers together obscure gems from the Japan that "sound best listened to at night". While the previous volume largely focused on forgotten Japanese jazz-funk, this edition is more eclectic in tone, variously touching on rare groove, new wave, soul and disco. It's another belting selection, all told, with highlights including the breathy sleaziness of Yoko Hatanaka's "More Sexy", the post-punk boogie eccentricity of Mari Kaneko's "Get To Paradise", the sprightly synth-funk of "Sunshine Bright On Me" by Kangaroo and the synth-rock silliness of The Fad's wonderfully over-the-top "Singing Lady".