A sweet masterpiece of 70s AOR from Japan – served up by Tatsuro Yamashita, who was easily one of the most soulful male singers on the scene in the years before city pop! The record's got a jazzy vibe that's great, and which really fits the R&B-inspired midtempo rhythms – almost as if Wayne Henderson had a hand in putting the whole thing together, similar to some of his late 70s productions for Fantasy Records – but with some occasional 80s touches that also hint at changes to come in the next decade. Vocals are all in Japanese, but the record's got a very universal appeal – and titles include "Rainy Walk", "Funky Flushin", "Hot Shot", "Touch Me Lightly", "Yellow Cab", "Nightwing", and "Full Moon". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic groove album from Japanese singer Tatsuro Yamashita – one that takes all the funky soul modes he'd forged in the 70s, and fits them with a tighter 80s groove overall! The set has Tatsuro working with his core band, who've really honed things to a "T", and are going for that leaner funky style that many American soul acts were using at the time – stronger basslines, mixed with riffing guitar and plenty of keyboards – which leaves Yamashita's vocals right out front in the mix, soaring with that uniquely soulful style of his! Titles include "Futari", "Morning Glory", "Hey Reporter", "Love Talkin", "Loveland Island", "Sparkle", and "Your Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of work from this soulful Japanese singer - all of his best for RCA and Ariola, collected here in one sweet set! There were few cats on the Japanese scene of the time who could match the approach of US soul singers as well as Yamashita – and you'll definitely hear proof of that on Tatsuro's work on cuts that include "Windy Lady", "Bomber", "Loveland Island", "Ride On Time (single version)", "Door Into Summer", "Let's Dance Baby", "Your Eyes", "Solid Slider", and "Funky Flushin". LP, Vinyl record album