Various Artists
City Pop Groovy '90s: Girls & Boys

✺ Pressed on black vinyl✺ Originally released in 1986✺ Composed by Yasushi AkimotoYukako Hayase released her debut album on Sixty Records in 1986. Yasushi Akimoto handled the lyrics and production for all but one of her songs. With her laid-back voice, worldly-wise attitude, and European-inspired sound, this album has gained renewed appreciation in recent years for its ahead-of-its-time vibe.

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

✺ 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.

✺ Pressed on Blue Vinyl✺ First ever vinyl reissue of the 1983 Japanese City Pop Classic✺ Newly Remastered for Vinyl✺ LP Includes Huge 24’’x 24’’ Fold Out Poster✺ First of three in the Piper reissue seriesLed by guitarist/vocalist Keisuke Yamamoto, Piper was formed in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. A move to Tokyo was followed by the release of their first single on Yupiteru Records, thanks to original guitarist Yuji Suzuki who had became an A&R man for the label. Citing British bands like Wishbone Ash and Camel as influences, Yamamoto and Piper nevertheless conjured up classic American sounds on Piper’s recordings, utilizing unusual recording techniques and new technologies like Linn drums to effortlessly blend styles of funk, soul and fusion and simultaneously evoking summer vibes, autumnal breezes, and wintery shimmer.Summer Breeze is Piper’s second album, originally released in 1984 on Yupiteru. Inspired by the sounds of Masayoshi Takanaka and Tatsuro Yamashita, as well as the concept of “BGM” (background music) championed by YMO, Summer Breeze was a conscious about face from their debut to create a new signature sound and become masters of summery resort vibes. Its smooth sounds belie the bevy of experimentation utilized on the recording, from vocoders and drum programming to recording guitars direct through the board. Even the iconic cover art, with the surfer wearing an impossibly short crop top, is deceiving in its simplicity – it was one of the most expensive jackets produced by the label at the time, due to its use of special spot colors and custom handlettering. The original album featured the marketing copy “Good Weather! Good Sounds!” which perfectly encapsulates the sounds contained on the album.Summer Breeze de Piper

✺ Originally released in 1977✺ Pressed on black vinyl✺ Featuring members of Tin Pan Alley and Moonriders✺ Classic Japanese City PopDon't miss the debut album from singer-songwriter Makoto Iwabuchi, a collaboration with members of Tin Pan Alley and Moonriders. Each song is a masterpiece, showcasing the unique talents of each performer. "Moonlight Flight" stands out with its captivating arrangement of floating strings and electric piano, hailed as a classic of 70s city pop/light mellow.Lyrics and Composition: Ryo Iwabuchi (except B3, B5, B6 with Lyrics by Toshimitsu Ono, and B4 with Lyrics by Ryo Iwabuchi and Toshiyuki Araki)Arrangement: Shigeru Suzuki (A1, A6, B1, B3), Keiichi Suzuki, Ryo Iwabuchi (A2-5, B2, B4-6)Featuring:✺ Electric Guitar: Shigeru Suzuki, Makoto Iwabuchi✺ Acoustic Guitar: Makoto Iwabuchi✺ Synthesizer: Keiichi Suzuki, Jun Sato✺ Drums: Tatsuo Hayashi, Tetsuro Kashibuchi✺ Bass: Akihiro Tanaka, Hirofumi Suzuki✺ Piano: Toru Okada, Jun Sato, Keiichi Suzuki✺ Mandolin: Junpei Sakuma✺ Percussion: Nobu Saito, Keiichi Suzuki, Tetsuro Kashibuchi, Toru Okada, ✺ ✺ Masahiro Takekawa✺ Marimba: Keiichi Suzuki, Toru Okada✺ Fiddle: Masahiro Takekawa✺ Horns: Ken Muraoka, Yasuo Hirauchi, Masanobu Arao✺ Strings: Tomato✺ Background Vocals: Fire Ball Boys, Shigeru Suzuki, Makoto Iwabuchi, The Uirubīzu, Nanako Sato

✺ Limited edition ✺ Pressed on clear double vinyl✺ Originally released in 1983Get your hands on a 2-disc set featuring the top albums of 1983, packed with debut tracks like "Love is Magic," a duet with Yoshinori Monta, and "A LOVE AFFAIR," originally released as a commercial song for Clarion. This limited vinyl re-release is not to be missed!