A seminal bit of Japanese rock from the early 70s – performed by a group that included Haruomi Hosono, and who has a style that borrows from the best of the LA scene of the late 60s! The tunes are extremely catchy – done in a folksy style that has compressed guitars and spacious production that evoke bits of The Byrds, Graham Parsons, Beau Brummels, late Association, and some of our other favorite work from those magical years. Lyrics are all in Japanese, but sung in a simple and compelling style that somehow makes you forget that fact! (Rock, Japanese) LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet instrumentals from the Japanese minimal scene of the 80s, but work that's sometimes got some warmer touches than other material of the time – maybe a slight new age sensibility at points, but touched with a sentimental sense of melody that almost prefaces some of the later Ghibli modes! Akira Mitake plays all instruments – almost all electric, but with modes that resonate with an acoustic sense of space – especially on some piano bits, and occasional elements that almost feel like harp, or maybe a keyboard harp! Titles are all in Japanese, and they're all instrumental – and the album's got a spacious vibe that's very much in keeping with its cover. LP, Vinyl record album