Double LP
The compilation starts off with the afro disco classic “Mi Mi Africa” by harmonica player Nobuo Yagi, which was also included in the compilation Mastercuts.
“Silver Top” is a jazzy fusion disco taken from composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Nobuyuki Shimizu’s first album, which he released when he was 19. The track features singer Epo, whom he worked with many times over the years as an arranger.
“Samba Night” is by vocalist Keisuke Yamamoto and his band Piper, from their masterpiece second album Summer Breeze. A delightful city pop number that should appeal to Tatsuro Yamashita fans.
“Akogareno Sundown” is a Japanese soul classic, sang by singer Haruko Kuwana (the sister of well-known musician Masahiro Kuwana). recorded in Hawaii and produced by Mackey Feary band, known for the soulful classic “A Million Stars.”
“Koiwa Saiko (i’m in love)” is a mellow and groovy track by singer Aru Takamura, the great-grandchild of sculptor Kouun Takamura, whose son Kotaro Takamura is a famed poet and sculptor. Can be thought of as Japan’s answer to Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to be Real.”
“What the Magic is to Try” is a cult electropop track by Honma Express, a project helmed by producer Kanji Honma. hailed as Japan’s Trevor Horn, he is also known as the producer of legendary techno pop band TPO.
“Colored Music” is a song by Colored Music, a duo of pianist Ichiko Hashimoto and her partner Atsuo Fujimoto, who have gone on tour with YMO. Taken from Colored Music’s sole album, the Japanese rare groove treasure is a mesh of new wave, synth pop and jazz influences.
The dubby electronic new wave disco “Electric City” is a b side of pop idol group Shohjo-Tai’s debut 12” single, but the girls aren’t actually singing on it, making the instrumental one of Japan’s greatest ’80s dance tracks.
“Love is the Competition” is a breezy disco jam by Okinawa-born bilingual artist Hitomi Tohyama. featured on her album Next Door, the song’s melody seems like an interpolation of the whispers’ “it’s a love thing.”
Taken from Mariah project’s diva Yumi Murata’s first album, Krishna is a funky and soulful rockin’ disco cut. Reminiscent of Chaka Khan’s “I Know You, I Live You,” “Live Hard, Live Free” is a song by jazz vocalist Eri Ohno who is known for her work with DJ Krush and singing on the soundtrack to anime Rupin the third.
“Rocket 88” is a melancholic disco number by singer Minnie. Though the track was released through Sapporo’s independent label Paradise records, the superb production quality suggests otherwise.
Closing out the 13-track compilation is Japanese disco staple “Tokyo Melody,” sang by half African and half Swedish American singer Shoody and backed by Tetsuji Hayashi’s disco band the Eastern Gang.
