Japan

Japanese folk-rock legend Morio Agata stunned fans with this way-outta-left-field dispatch - a synthesizer-laden, new-wave/post-punk classic. Originally released by Osaka’s Vanity Records in 1980 and back on vinyl for the first time in nearly 40 years, this fully authorized reissue has been remastered from the original analog tapes. In tip-on sleeve, with double-sided insert.50 years ago, Hokkaido-born singer-songwriter Morio Agata released his debut single, Sekishoku Ereji (Red Elegy), an emotive, shuffling piano ballad that (shockingly) sold half a million copies in Japan. While he would never have another Top-40 hit, Agata would spend the next half century issuing a series of idiosyncratic, experimental pop albums. Today, he’s a beloved cult figure, still actively touring and recording in his seventies.In his first decade as a recording artist, Agata released a stream of classics right out of the gate — Otome No Roman (1972) melded American-styled folk rock with traditional Japanese melodies, Zipangu Boy (1976) was a sprawling, Haruomi Hosono-produced psychedelic opus, and Kimi No Koto Suki Nan Da (1977) saw Agata tackle slick, lightly funky AOR. While this sort of stylistic schizophrenia might sink your average artist, Agata’s singular voice and magnetic charisma elevates everything he touches, and subsumes it all into Morio Agata World — a joyous, playful and frequently unhinged world.Arguably the biggest left-turn of Agata’s early career, however, came in 1979, when legendary experimental label Vanity Records’ Yuzuru Agi paired Agata with major players from his label’s roster and the Osaka punk scene for an impromptu recording session. An impressive list of musicians took part (SAB, Yukio Fujimoto (Normal Brain), Masahiro Kitada (INU), Taiqui (Ultra Bide), Jun Shinoda (SS), Chie Mukai (Che-Shizu), and others) and even though they all came from different wings of the underground music scene, together they built an arresting, minimalistic bedrock of synthesized and acoustic sounds for Agata to work his magic over. The recording sesssions were tense and it took a while for the collective to find their footing. But the hard work paid off — Norimono Zukan is a masterpiece of ramshackle new wave and droning dirges, topped off with Agata’s unmistakeable croon, at times delicate, other times twisted. It’s a relatively short album, but a deep one, and Mesh-Key is honored to introduce it to a new generation of music fans.

Repress de la bande originale du film d'animation Mon Voisin Totoro en version vinyle vert transparent.

Gaia: Selected Ambient & Downtempo Works (1996-2003)’ is a new in-depth compilation of works by Japanese musician Dream Dolphin. Co-compiled by Eiji Taniguchi, it draws from a vast discography of music oscillating between IDM, Pop and Electronic Dance Music. First appearing on Eiji’s compilation ’Heisei No Oto - Japanese Left-field Pop From The CD Age (1989-1996)’, this selection of rediscoveries, further shines a light on the singular musician known as Dream Dolphin and her place in Japan’s rich electronic music legacy.Dream Dolphin was originally an Ambient and Electronic project by the Japanese artist referred to simply as Noriko, who moved from studying classic Italian songs as a child, to increasingly being inspired by artists such as PIL, Yellow Magic Orchestra, KLF and movies such as ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ and ‘Le Grand Bleu’. The music she released under the name Dream Dolphin, from the age of sixteen, is unique and versatile in style, encompassing Ambient, IDM, Techno, Trance and Drum & Bass, whilst fusing natural sounds with her own spoken word lyrics.Dream Dolphin released an incredible twenty albums in just eight years. In addition to her own projects, she has also put together a number of fascinating compilations herself, as well as composing ambient music to be used in hospitals and other caring contexts. ‘Gaia: Selected Ambient & Downtempo Works (1996-2003)’ contains 15 tracks thoughtfully selected from various albums that until now were only released on CD format.

Cette pochette offre une transparence cristalline et en même temps une haute résistance et souplesse. Ces pochettes sont idéales pour mettre en valeur vos disques. Matière : polypropylène, dimensions : 322 x 322 x 0,09 mm, poids par 50 pièces : environ 0,80 kg.Conditionnement : ✺ Lot de 25 pochettes.✺ Lot de 50 pochettes.

A long-awaited LP vinyl reissue that is very popular as a Japanese AOR masterpiece. Makoto Matsushita is a well-known guitarist who participated in the fusion funk group AB’s with Tomaru Yoshino. The album is full of AOR taste, originally released in 1981. The original version is recreated and the photo jacket by Kaoru Ijima is faithfully reproduced.✺ Originally released in 1985 by Moon Records✺ Pressed on black vinyl✺ First ever reissue on vinyl

The second collection album ‘’2nd Collection’’ of the ‘’Hydeout Productions’’ label is released on 2LP.Aside from the trend of the modern music industry as a whole, this is the 2nd collection album of the rare independent label ‘’Hydeout Productions’’, which has gained great support from listeners by releasing purely sound = works without advertising activities.It is another world of Hydeout, which is written in parallel with Nujabes’ albums ‘’Metaphorical Music’’ and ‘’Modal Soul’’ with a wider range of works and selection. From the previous album ‘’Modal Soul’’ to ‘’Another Reflection’‘, which can be said to be a separate chapter of ’’Reflection Eternal’’, while it is a label collection album, Nujabes’s 2nd album ‘’Modal Soul’’ and the direction of the label. A work that shows sexuality.

✺ Originally released in 1982.✺ Pressed on black vinyl.✺ Japanese pop meets reggae, funk, R&B, and disco.Kyouko Furuya began her career as a piano student in Tokyo’s Kunitachi College of Music. Debuting in a duo dubbed Virgo with future actress Yumi Mizusawa, they quietly became a popular thing in the acoustic Tokyo folk scene. With time, though, Kyouko Furuya pursued other opportunities.First released off of the Japanese label, Better Days, in 1982, “Cold Water” features a kaleidoscopic vision of what Japanese Pop can be when it ties its influence to something like reggae, funk, R&B, and disco.

✺ Originally released in 1983✺ Only album ever released by Megumi Saito and Yoko Hashimoto✺ Includes groovy singles such as “Kowareta Wiper” and “Lucky Strike Man”The only album by Megumi Saito and Yoko Hashimoto, released in 1983. Together with prominent musicians, Kazuo Shiina, who was active as a regular member of Tatsuro Yamashita’s band, Hiromasa Suzuki, who was active across genres, Hiroshi Shinkawa, who later worked on Omega Tribe and others, participated as an arrangement team, and you can hear an urban sound full of city feeling. Includes 10 songs including “Kowareta Wiper”, the only single with a comfortable mellow disco groove, and “Lucky Strike Man” with a reggae taste.

Originally released in 2014, now on the band's own Guruguru Brain imprint for the first time."Kikagaku Moyo here sound anything but lost, their child-like wonder manifested in a confident, courageous exploration of sound. Labels – psychedelic, folk, prog-rock, psychedelic-folk-mixed-with-prog-rock – do little to accurately reflect the spectrum of influences on display, let alone the more impactful realization of completeness in Kikagaku Moyo’s songs."

We Release Jazz is ecstatic (purrrr!) to announce the official reissue of Hiroshi Suzuki's glorious jazz-fusion-funk Holy Grail Cat (originally released in 1976), sourced from the original masters and available on limited edition 180 gram vinyl mastered at half speed for full audiophile sound, as well as on digipack CD. Both versions come with liner notes by Teruo Isono.Cat was recorded in October 1975 at at Nippon Columbia Studio, while Hiroshi Suzuki was visiting his home country of Japan after moving to Las Vegas in 1971 to play with Buddy Rich and perfect his craft. Back on his old stomping grounds, the man known as Neko (Cat) immediately reunited with his dear friends for an epic two day session of groove magic. The chemistry was still intact. The skills and style had grown.The result, Cat, is a smooth masterpiece, a deep and soulful affair where stunning trombone solos by Hiroshi Suzuki flirt with Takeru Muraoka's heavenly saxophone and the sensual rhythm section of Hiromasa Suzuki (keyboards), Kunimitsu Inaba (bass), and Akira Ishikawa (drums).Celebrated in jazz collectors circles, in the lofi beat scene, and among music diggers around the world, Cat has become one of the most sought-after Japanese jazz albums of all time and, much like Ryo Fukui's Scenery, has fascinated old and young generations alike.Points of interests- For fans of jazz, fusion, funk, trombone, Japanese jazz, smooth rides, cats, allure.- Official reissue of the glorious jazz-fusion album by Japanese trombonist extraordinaire Hiroshi "Neko" Suzuki.- 10th release from We Release Jazz, following Ryo Fukui's Scenery, Mellow Dream, A Letter from Slowboat, and Ryo Fukui in New York, the soundtrack of Le Cercle Rouge by Eric Demarsan, Stuff Combe 5 + Percussion, Marc Moulin's Placebo Live 1971 and Boillat Thérace Quintet albums. We Release Jazz is the sister-label of Geneva-based WRWTFWW Records (Midori Takada's Through The Looking Glass and Lunar Cruise with Masahiko Sato, Pierre Barouh's Le Pollen, Jun Fuka-machi's Nicole, Grauzone's discography, …)

In Japanese, the word “Guru-Guru” refers to the state of spinning, whirling.? This state is captured in the work of Japanese artist Hoshina Anniversary, who makes his third appearance on MUSAR with his EP Guru Guru and marks the return of the label after an extended break.Hoshina’s self-titled brand of ‘Watechno’ has appeared on well-loved dance music labels like ESP Institute, Volvox’s Jack Dept and Young Marco’s Safe Trip, alongside MUSAR where he also appeared as Shifting Gears back in 2022; an electronic-jazz-centered moniker.His Guru Guru EP captures the latest snapshot of Hoshina’s sound and sees him draw from Japanese language as a through-line. The title track is the clearest representation of his ‘Watechno’, where he uses Japanese instrumentation on top of a menacing EBM-style march. The track's slowly whirling momentum is the “Guru-Guru”.On tracks like “Banri”, which means far away in Japanese, we see new shades to Hoshina’s work as he mixes a Japanese Wadaiko drum groove with acidic elements and piano melodies to make a track of contradictions which pairs roughness with elegance. Whereas on “Usagi”, Japanese for rabbit, Hoshina fires up the BPM. Piano melodies remain here but their effect is more drifting and emotive than on “Banri”. “Kaga” is named after a place in the southernmost part of Ishikawa Prefecture, between Kanazawa City and Fukui City.On this track, Hoshina’s love for jazz comes through and even mirrors the work we heard from him under Shifting Gears.

Samurai Champloo Music Record: Impression is the fourth soundtrack album in the series of the anime show Samurai Champloo. It contains tracks by Nujabes, Force of Nature, Fat Jon and MINMI. The lyrics on “Hiji Zuru Style” are written and performed by S-Word and Suiken. The lyrics on “Who’s Theme” are written and performed by MINMI; vibraphone is by Yoshihiko Katori.The music of the Samurai Champloo anime series was created by a group of producers: Japanese hip-hop producer Tsutchie of the rap group Shakkazombie, American hip-hop producer & emcee Fat Jon of the rap group Five Deez, Japanese hip-hop producer Nujabes, and Japanese DJ & production duo Force Of Nature. The music genre is primarily instrumental hip-hop.✺ 2xLP on black vinyl✺ Limited edition✺ Featuring music by Tsutchie, Shakkazombie, Fat Jon, Nujabes, and Force Of Nature

This is Preorder. The estimated ship date is end of September, 2023.Limited to 2 copies per personOriginally released in 1983, "Timely!!" is a masterpiece of the Japanese City Pop genre, blending elements of funk, jazz, and pop into a smooth, sophisticated sound. Anri's silky vocals, combined with the expert instrumentation and production, make this album a must-have for any fan of the genre.This LP edition has been carefully remastered from the original tapes, ensuring the highest quality sound possible. The black vinyl pressing also adds a touch of elegance and style to the already stunning artwork.Whether you're a longtime fan of Anri and City Pop or just discovering this incredible album for the first time, "Timely!!" is sure to impress. Order now and experience the magic of this classic Japanese album on high-quality black vinyl.✺ Pressed on black vinyl.✺ Limited edition.✺ Originally released in 1983.

From the opening 'The Vamp' to the final 'Head Rock', this is a dazzling jazz rock showcase with dreadnought songs that are filled with ideas and passion you can hold. A masterpiece that has an overwhelming presence in the history of jazz in Japan, as a heresy left on the prestigious jazz label Tact.

Samurai Champloo Music Record: Departure is a soundtrack album, originally released on June 23, 2004. It is the second of four soundtrack albums released for the show. The album was produced by Japanese DJ / producer Nujabes, and American MC/producer Fat Jon, and featured Japanese rapper Shing02 and Japanese singer-songwriter MINMI on the album’s first and last tracks, respectively. Departure was critically lauded and is the best known album from the series, with especially high praise being reserved for “Battlecry”.The music of the Samurai Champloo anime series was created by a group of producers: Japanese hip-hop producer Tsutchie of the rap group Shakkazombie, American hip-hop producer & emcee Fat Jon of the rap group Five Deez, Japanese hip-hop producer Nujabes, and Japanese DJ & production duo Force Of Nature. The music genre is primarily instrumental hip-hop.✺ Pressed on black vinyl✺ Limited edition double LP✺ Featuring music by Tsutchie, Shakkazombie, Fat Jon, ✺ Nujabes, and Force Of Nature

"Go Ahead" by Tatsuro Yamashita is a true gem of Japanese pop music, and now it's available on black vinyl for the ultimate listening experience.Originally released in 1987, "Go Ahead" is a showcase of Yamashita's versatility as a musician, with a blend of genres including pop, funk, and even rock. The album includes hits like "Big Wave," "Windy Lady," and "Daydream," which have become staples of Yamashita's repertoire.This limited edition black vinyl release features a high-quality remaster of the original album, complete with a full-color inner sleeve and exclusive liner notes. The sleek design captures the essence of Yamashita's music, with its catchy melodies and guitar riffs.Experience the magic of Tatsuro Yamashita's "Go Ahead" like never before with this essential LP release. Order now and add this masterpiece to your collection of Japanese pop music.✺ Originally released in 1978✺ Limited edition✺ Pressed on 180g black vinyl

Fans of Tatsuro Yamashita's iconic sound are in for a treat with the release of "Moonglow" on black vinyl. Originally released in 1981, this album is a must-have for any collector of Japanese pop music.With its smooth blend of funk, disco, and R&B, "Moonglow" showcases Yamashita's distinctive style and vocal talent. The album includes classic hits like "Love Space" and "Dancer," which have become fan favorites over the years.This limited edition black vinyl release features a high-quality remaster of the original album, complete with a full-color inner sleeve and exclusive liner notes. The sleek design captures the essence of Yamashita's music, with its melodic hooks and infectious beats.Experience the magic of Tatsuro Yamashita's "Moonglow" like never before with this essential LP release. Order now and add this timeless classic to your music collection.

This album is an unforgettable live recording featuring both original songs by Yamashita as well as covers ! What’s more, Yamashita is accompanied by several top-class musicians including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Minako Yoshida, Shuichi “Ponta” Murakami, Tsunehide Matsuki, and Akira Okazawa. at the legendary Pitt InnTHE-JMAN · Tatsuro Yamashita - It's A Poppin' Time (1978)

Originally released in 1982, Greatest Hits! Of Tatsuro Yamashita is the first and only “best of” compilation album of Yamashita’s work.✺ Originally released in 1982.✺ Curated by Yamashita himself.✺ Limited Edition.✺ Pressed on 180g black vinyl.

We are thrilled to present to you the iconic City Pop album "COOOL" by Anri, now available on black vinyl LP at our store.Originally released in 1984, "COOOL" is a timeless masterpiece of the Japanese City Pop genre, featuring Anri's silky vocals, catchy melodies, and smooth grooves. This album is a perfect example of the sophisticated, funky sound that has made City Pop so beloved among music fans worldwide.This LP edition has been carefully remastered from the original tapes, ensuring the highest quality sound possible. The black vinyl pressing also adds a touch of class and elegance to the already stunning artwork."COOOL" is a must-have for any fan of Anri, City Pop, or Japanese music in general. It's an album that perfectly captures the essence of the genre and continues to inspire musicians to this day. Order now and experience the magic of this classic Japanese album on high-quality black vinyl.✺ Pressed on black vinyl✺ Limited edition✺ Japanese press✺ First time reissued on vinyl record

We are excited to offer you the legendary City Pop album "Bi・Ki・Ni" by Anri, now available on black vinyl LP exclusively at our internet store.Released in 1983, "Bi・Ki・Ni" is a masterpiece of the Japanese City Pop genre, characterized by its infectious rhythms, groovy basslines, and smooth vocals. Anri's voice shines throughout the album, adding an irresistible charm to every track.This LP edition has been carefully remastered from the original tapes, ensuring the highest quality sound possible. The black vinyl pressing also adds a touch of elegance and style to the already stunning artwork."Bi・Ki・Ni" is a must-have for any fan of City Pop or Japanese music in general. It's a classic album that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate listeners to this day. Order now and experience the magic of this incredible album on high-quality black vinyl.✺ Pressed on black vinyl✺ Limited edition✺ Japanese press✺ First time reissued on vinyl record

Introducing the legendary City Pop album "Heaven Beach" by Anri, now available on black vinyl LP at our store.Released in 1986, "Heaven Beach" is a classic of the Japanese City Pop genre, featuring Anri's angelic vocals, upbeat rhythms, and catchy hooks. The album captures the essence of summer and the beach, with songs that transport you to a world of sunshine, sand, and good vibes.This LP edition has been carefully remastered from the original tapes, ensuring the highest quality sound possible. The black vinyl pressing also adds a touch of sophistication and style to the already stunning artwork."Heaven Beach" is a must-have for any fan of City Pop, Anri, or Japanese music in general. It's an album that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire generations of music lovers. Order now and experience the magic of this classic Japanese album on high-quality black vinyl.✺ Pressed on black vinyl✺ Limited edition✺ Japanese press✺ First time reissued on vinyl record