Review: Japanese artist Kimiko Kasai is a revered vocalist who worked in the world of jazz throughout the eighties. Her unique style made her an in-demand collaborator who worked with the likes of Mal Waldron, Gil Evans and Herbie Hancock. She released a total of 23 albums on majors including EMI which is where, in 1987, she dropped this full-length of electro-pop Japanese works. Perigo A Noite features a collection of songs all written by the lady herself and many of them have an adult and exotic style that blends pop, funk and soul with her signature jazz.
Review: Japanese singer-songwriter Junko Kudo has released just two solo albums and one EP but has many more credits having built up a reputation for her vocals on the works of others including greats like Mimori Yusa amongst others. Her debut full-length Akaneiro No Carnival gets reissued here with an insert and obi-strip 40 years after it first arrived. It features Tetsuya Komuro and Daisuke Hyuga working on the arrangements and performance and is a delightful pop gem with hints of wave and synth-pop all drawing you in while the ephemeral whispering vocals from Kudo blend with melancholic melodies and wistful chords.
Review: Yumi Murata's Uterus Uterus is a jazz-pop classic from 1985. Yumi is a vocal coach and former singer who was active from the late 70s and through the 80s before opening her own Murata Yumi Vocal Training Room in 1991 and teaching ever since. This long-player was a later one out of the seven she released in all and is one of her most popular as it mixes up fusion, new wave, funk, pop and jazz across synth sounds. These are enjoyable and sophisticated sounds from this talented vocalist.
Review: Meiko Nakahara, a celebrated figure in the city pop revival, returns with a reissue of her eighth studio album, originally released in 1988. This captivating collection showcases Nakahara's signature blend of sophisticated pop, jazz influences, and smooth grooves, capturing the essence of the late 80s Japanese music scene. The album features the title track, 'Kagami no Nakano Actress', which served as the opening theme for the popular anime series 'Kimagure Orange Road', as well as the ending theme, 'Dance in the memories'. With its blend of catchy melodies, lush arrangements and Nakahara's expressive vocals make this a real, rediscovered classic.
Review: Follow Me is the second album from celebrated actress Yasuko Sawaguchi, whose look as well as vocal talent made her a beloved icon of the 1980s. Originally released in 1988, this album features ten tracks including the standout theme song 'Follow Me' from her starring role in the drama Exciting Rock 'n' Roll Street. With acclaimed composer Tetsuya Komuro contributing his musical talents, 'Follow Me' captures the vibrant energy of the era by blending pop melodies with Sawaguchi's unique charm. This release is a nostalgic nod to her career and an essential addition for fans of 80s Japanese pop culture.
Review: Hikaru Utada is one of Japan's biggest stars, regularly selling records by the millions since they began their career in the late 90s. Their third album Deep River became one of Japan's top-selling records of all time after its release in 2002, helped no end by the success of singles 'Hikari' 'Travelling' and 'Sakura Drops'. Not only the singer, Utada also wrote and produced much of the album, drawing on a sleek pop-folk sound which is now synonymous with modern J-pop. It's been nearly 20 years since the album was available on vinyl, so this repress is long overdue, not to mention hotly anticipated by Utada's fans worldwide.
Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) (2007 mix - bonus track) (3:21)
Review: Straight from the renegade minds of Italy's DUB (District Underground Bastards) - whose parties deal exclusively in untrodden, alternative locations not normally inhabited by DJs and crowds - comes 'Bersekr', the newest collab cut from Vadim Oslov and Denis Andreev. Together, the dark, minimal techno powerhouse deliver two back-to-back cuts of only the purest cleanliness and snap. 'Toltec Snippet' and 'Alexandra Snippet' expose themselves minimally but confidently, as Minilogue jerks and dub echoes unfurl across as dancefloor-taming 6 minutes.
Review: The extensive reissue campaign for Japanese pop icon Hikaru Utada continues apace with the repress of their second album, 2001's Distance. Utada notched up the biggest selling record in Japanese history with their debut First Love, so there was already a huge anticipation for their follow-up, and they didn't disappoint. It sold 3 million copies in the first week of release alone. Utada worked with American producers on this record, including RnB maestro Rodney Jerkins (of Toni Braxton fame) and the unstoppable force of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, surely two of the most important producers in RnB from that time. The results are as high-end as you would expect, and finally after more than 20 years Distance is back on vinyl.
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