The third solo release from YMO member Yukihiro Takahashi, with appearances from Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Andy Mackay of Roxy Music, and Tony Mansfield, who’s worked with Lio, the B-52s, New Musik, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. Assistance from Steve Nye of Penguin Café Orchestra, Chris Mosdell, and Hideki Matsutake, who has computer programmed many of the greatest … Continue reading Yukihiro Takahashi – Neuromantic, 1981
Synth-funk exotica at its finest. Hiroshi Sato (sometimes “Satoh”) seems to slip through the cracks, though he was arguably one of the most important Japanese keyboardists of his time. He played keyboards on almost every Tatsuro Yamashita record of the 70s and 80s, and contributed to much of Hosono’s solo work, including the beloved Cochin Moon. … Continue reading Hiroshi Sato – Orient, 1979
In the spirit of the season, I wanted to share my favorite releases of the year. Not exhaustive, just some personal highlights. Happy holidays! Bryan Ferry – Boys and Girls, 1985 buy Cocteau Twins – Lorelei 12″, 1985 Francis Bebey – Akwaaba, 1985 buy / download Front 242 – No Comment, 1985 buy / download … Continue reading 15 Favorite Releases of 2015
Guest post by Michael McGregor Hitomi “Penny” Tohyama is a Japanese singer who had a string of hit records in the late ’70s and ’80s. The earlier stuff is disco-funk in the J-Pop style, with YMO/Tatsuro Yamashita influences — smooth, electro production, with great synth bass-lines, and superb melodies. Some of her stuff in the late … Continue reading Hitomi “Penny” Tohyama – Sexy Robot, 1983
cover image by whtebkgrnd We’re so excited to release this mix of experimental Japanese pop, up today on Self-Titled Mag. “This is a mix of Japanese pop songs, most of them with a synth funk backbone. The most exciting aspect of this era of music, though, is how unafraid these musicians were to push the … Continue reading [Mix for Self-Titled] OMG Japan: Rare & Experimental Japanese Pop
We’re psyched to share this gorgeous mix by John Also Bennett (Forma / Seabat). You can download it here. Enjoy! Tracklist: 1. Craig Leon – The Customs of the Age Disturbed 2. Hiroki Okano with Techno Mongoloid – Leela #2 (Excerpt) 3. Steve Roach — ???? (Excerpt) 4. Haruomi Hosono – Air Condition 5. Jean-Marie … Continue reading Guest Mix – Places I’d Rather Be
Another gem from the Yen Records treasure trove (Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi production, blah blah blah). Cheeky, unhurried, fairly minimal synth pop, with a dusting of tittering bleeps, bloops, and sleigh bells for dimension. Mostly dry and Disneyland plump, but of course nothing Hosono is quite what it seems. Après-Midi is far from simplistic–there … Continue reading Testpattern – Après-Midi, 1982
I first heard Miharu Koshi at the now-defunct Big Snow during a revelatory Gabe D’amico DJ set. The track that blew my mind was a lush, warped, slightly psychy, rollerskate-ready slo-mo disco track, which I still haven’t tracked down (did I dream it?), but the search led me to this deeply underrated, Haruomi Hosono-produced synth-pop … Continue reading Miharu Koshi – Tutu, 1983