A classic groover from Yasuko Agawa – proof that the Japanese scene had an ear for soul in the years before Monday Michiru! The early 80s set is made up from equal parts jazz, soul, and Brazilian influences – all used nicely with tight, fusiony production that really works nicely with Yasuko's lighter-voiced approach to the lyrics. One of the highlights of the record is a remake of Viva Brasil's "Skindo-Le-Le", a great little groover with a catchy riff that's right in the Gilles P mode – but other tracks are pretty great too, and come together in a mix of different modes that's somewhat similar to an American jazzy soul album from the same time. Most of the arrangements are by keyboardist Naoya Matsuoka – and titles include "She-Senior Dreams", "Cinema", "Island Breeze", "Here & Now", and the very appropriate "Pardon My English". CD

A really great take on the sound of the Pacific – a set that mixes together the growing electro instrumental world of Japan in the late 70s, with some of the breezier styles put forth in older Hawaiian and island music too! The music is a nice instrumental extrapolation of ideas that Haruomi Hosono had been exploring on his own solo albums – but is more open and spare overall, with a strong focus on keyboard bits, guitar lines, and the dreamier overall sound of the record. Effects are used alongside Fender Rhodes, Korg Polyphonic, and other keyboards – and the record has a very dreamy sound overall. 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