One of the more soulful albums ever cut by Japanese vocalist Mieko Hirota – a set that mixes her warmly raspy style with some equally warm electric backings – all with a vibe that's a bit like Esther Phillips' albums for Kudu Records! Arrangements are by Hiromasa Suzuki and Kiyoshi Sugano – and Suzuki plays keyboards on all cuts, while Sugano brings in a few guitar solos too – amidst other jazz-based instrumentation that's warmed up by some larger strings, used at just the right, light level! Lyrics are in English – and titles include "Soul Lady", "If You Touch Me Baby", "I'm Blind To All But You", "Love Won't Let Me Wait", "They Say It's Wonderful", "Loving You Was Like A Party", and "Love For Sale". (Vocalists, Japanese) LP, Vinyl record album

Disco grooves from a source you might not expect – the Japanese scene of the 70s, which was home to a surprisingly strong array of records that were perfect for the clubs! In retrospect, maybe the music's not such a surprise – given that 70s Japan was also a hotbed of electric fusion, and the kind of sharp instrumentation that provides the core to most of these tunes – wicked basslines, sweet keyboards, and funky drums that propel these tracks along in a wonderful way – even if you can't understand some of the Japanese lyrics over the top! In fact, many of these numbers are even more in the fusion or funk-inspired side of disco – less the crossover cuts with strings and big production, and more like the kind of American club tracks you might hear from Kudu Records or some of the other fusion labels. The package is proof that great sounds can be truly universal – and comes with detailed notes on the artists and scene at the time. Titles include "By By Session Band" by Lily, "Summer Champion" by Yuko Asano, "Dancin" by Junko Ohashi, "Rainbow Parade" by Masayoshi Takanaka, "Uragiri" by Mari Natuski, "Maboroshi No Hito" by Miyako Chaki, "Banana" by Kay Ishiguro, "Yashow Macashow" by Ebonee Webb, "Lovin Mighty Fire" by Nayoya Matsuko & Minako Yoshida, "Sentimental Hotel" by Rie Nkahara, and "Barato Yajuu" by Haruomi Hosono. (Funky Compilations, Japanese) LP, Vinyl record album