山下達郎 Tatsuro Yamashita
Spacy

A stylish selection of city pop, funk and modern soul from Japanese label Nippon Columbia, selected by DJ Notoya and featuring cult classics and rarities by Hiroshi Sato, Hatsumi Shibata, Hitomi 'Penny' Tohyama & many more.Annotated by Notoya with journalist Nick Luscombe and artwork by Optigram.Newly remastered audio.The selection on ‘Tokyo Glow’ starts with 'Kimugare' a relaxed mid-tempo track by Kumi Nakamura, actually a famous actress who only recorded one album in 1980 for Columbia.The set continues and flows effortlessly with the sunshine grooves of Miyuki Maki, Hatsumi Shibata and cult keyboard player Hiroshi Sato before the pace starts going faster and funkier with New Generation Company, Kengo Kurozumi - with his superb boogie, 'Juggler'- and one of the queens of the genre, Hitomi 'Penny' Tohyama with 'Tuxedo Connection'.Another fine example on the set is the mid-tempo groove of "I Wander All Alone Part III" by New Generation Company, an aggregate group of some of the best Japanese session musicians led by arranger Katz Hoshi and including Hiroyuki Namba (key), Kazuo Shiina (gtr) and Yutaka Uehara (ds) who all played with Tatsuro Yamashita among many others.There are many other excellent examples in 'Tokyo Glow', showcasing the diversity and specificity of Japanese City Pop during the late 70s and 80s.Nippon Columbia opened their much-guarded vaults to curator DJ Natoya. Tracks were remastered in Tokyo and the result, ‘Tokyo Glow’, is a unique insight into a most creative period in Japanese music.

Wewantsounds is delighted to announce the release of Yukihiro Takahashi's debut solo album 'Saravah!'. One of the key Japanese albums of the 70s, it was released in 1978 at a key time when, following his tenure with Sadistic Mika Band, Yukihiro Takahashi had just joined the nascent line up of Yellow Magic Orchestra. A sophisticated mix of Disco Funk, synth Pop, Ambient, French Exotica and Bossa Nova, the album has the stylish feel of a night out clubbing in Paris circa 1978. It is the missing link between the City Pop scene of the late 70s and the synth sound of YMO which was about to revolutionise the world. Newly remastered by renowned engineer Mitsuo Koike, the LP features original artwork with photos by Masayoshi Sukita (David Bowie's Heroes), a 4-page insert and a new Introduction by Benjamin Barouh (Saravah Records).One of the key Japanese albums of the 70s, 'Saravah!' was released in 1978 at a key time when, following his tenure with Sadistic Mika Band, Yukihiro Takahashi had just joined Yellow Magic Orchestra. A sophisticated mix of Disco Funk, synth Pop, Ambient, French Exotica and Bossa Nova, the album has the stylish feel of a night out clubbing in Paris circa 1978. It is the missing link between the City Pop scene of the late 70s and the synth sound of YMO which was about to revolutionise the world. Newly remastered by renowned engineer Mitsuo Koike.

City Pop meets West Coast Boogie with a dash of Synthwave Jazz Funk on this 4 track EP. Vocal and instrumental mixes of "MOONLIGHT MAGIC" and "TAKE TO THE SKY" with vocals by Japanese native KUMOKO. Fans of XL MIDDLETON's take on Modern Funk should dig this.

✺ Pressed on black vinyl✺ Featuring two LPs: “Girls Side” featuring female vocals and “Boys Side” featuring male vocals✺ Jacket design by GataFollowing the success of "CITY POP STORY ~Urban & Ocean," released in 2023 and hailed as the "ultimate city pop standard compilation album," the second volume is here and continues to enjoy long-lasting popularity. This time, the analog version will be released ahead of the CD.As before, city pop writer Hitoshi Kurimoto has curated the song selection and provided commentary.Drawing from Sony Music's catalog, the selected tracks focus on the stylish city pop of the '90s, reflecting the Shibuya-kei, girl pop, and other contemporary movements.The release features two LPs: "Girls Side," with female vocals, and "Boys Side," with male vocals. The jackets will be illustrated by the artist gata.

Introducing "Hello!", the debut album of Naomi Kawashima, an actress celebrated for her idol-like presence. Originally released in 1982, this album showcases her versatile talent and absolutely charming persona.Side A features captivating covers of iconic tracks like Yumi Arai's "Rouge no Dengon" and Saori Minami's "Irozuku Machi," among others. Side B includes original songs, highlighted by the single "Itoshi no Mandolino," making up a total of 9 tracks. The album is masterfully produced by Eriko Shima and Akira Inoue, ensuring a delightful listening experience.

✺ Originally released in 1983.✺ Pressed on clear pink vinyl.✺ A fusion of 80’s New York sound and Japanese AOR.We are excited to present the official reissue of Hitomi “Penny” Tohyama’s legendary records “Sexy Robot”, which received an incredible amount of accolades in ‘80s Japan ! Tohyama’s 5th release “SEXY ROBOT” was first released in 1983, and quickly set into motion the tide of Beacon Sound which would come later. This record is a gem that incorporates the sound of New York in the 80s, and remains an important part of Japanese AOR.