Piper
Summer Breeze

Tokyo Dreaming is a superb selection picked from the highly collectible Nippon Columbia label and its Better Days sub-label. Wewantsounds have teamed up with journalist and Japanese music expert Nick Luscombe. The selection mixes electro, synth-pop, funk, and ambient and includes many sought-after rarities and hidden gems which have never been released outside of Japan and the set has been newly remastered by Nippon Columbia. Nippon Columbia, one of Japan's oldest music labels is also one of its most collectible thanks to its sub-label Better Days which, in the late '70s, became a hotbed for Tokyo's new generation of pop artists eager to experiment with ambient, electro, and funk. Armed with a string of new Japanese-made synthesizers and drum machines that would soon take the world by storm, they made cutting-edge music, which has since become highly sought-after by a new generation of Japanese music lovers.Nick Luscombe, who has long been a leading advocate of Japanese music from this era, has handpicked a selection of some of the sharpest music released on these labels at the time. Tokyo Dreaming starts with The End of Asia by Ryuichi Sakamoto from his 1978 ground-breaking debut Thousand Knives Of.... The track became a staple of Sakamoto and Yellow Magic Orchestra's live shows and was even re-recorded by the group for their 1980 album X Multiplies. The track is followed by Mariah's cult Armenian folk flavoured synth pop classic Shinzo No Tobira (1983). Chika Asamoto's Self Control (1988) and Jun Fukamachi's Treasure Hunter (1985) are perfect songs in the synth-pop canon, while Yumi Murata's rendition of Akiko Yano's Watashi No Bus and Hitomi "Penny" Tohyama's Rainy Driver both from 1981, move closer towards the slicker, funkier sound of city pop.Tokyo Dreaming superbly showcases the breadth of '80s Japanese music and the way electro pop was a playing ground for musicians to experiment with many styles, as showcased by Akira Sakata's dub-infused Room from 1980, Kazumi Watanabe's discoid Tokyo Joe (1980) and Juicy Fruits' techno pop song Jenie Gets Angry. The selection flows effortlessly between many shades of synth and ends with two cult classics in the form of Yasuaki Shimizu's Semi Tori No Hi and Shigeo Sekito's ambient-jazz masterpiece The Word II from his highly sought-after album Kareinaru Electone (The Word) Vol.2 (1975). Tokyo Dreaming showcases the groundbreaking sounds of a city turned giant sonic lab which was restlessly inventing the music of the future. Album designed by famed London-based designer Optigram. Also features Yumi Seino, Kyoko Furuya, Kazue Itoh, Haruo Chikada and Vibra-Tones, and Colored Music.

✺ Japanese Record Store Day 2021 Exclusive✺ First time on 7"Momoe Shimano gained popularity for her cool singing voice during the R & B boom that swept the 2000s.From “Free Soul Moe Her Mellow Lovers Twilight Amour”, which was announced in 2009 and attracted many listeners in a blink of an eye, the number that decorated the opening is the long-awaited analog release.The A-side, which beautifully covers Minako Yoshida’s famous song “Shooting Star of Love,” is a mellow number that matches the voice that sings while looking up at the original song and the softly swaying electric piano.On the B side, a Japanese R & B “Late Show” that swings gently is coupled to acid jazz-like. I would like you to get the songs that are indispensable for tracing the genealogy of Japanese soul-R & B and city pop, with 7inch.

✺ Originally released in 1983✺ Only album ever released by Megumi Saito and Yoko Hashimoto✺ Includes groovy singles such as “Kowareta Wiper” and “Lucky Strike Man”The only album by Megumi Saito and Yoko Hashimoto, released in 1983. Together with prominent musicians, Kazuo Shiina, who was active as a regular member of Tatsuro Yamashita’s band, Hiromasa Suzuki, who was active across genres, Hiroshi Shinkawa, who later worked on Omega Tribe and others, participated as an arrangement team, and you can hear an urban sound full of city feeling. Includes 10 songs including “Kowareta Wiper”, the only single with a comfortable mellow disco groove, and “Lucky Strike Man” with a reggae taste.

"Go Ahead" by Tatsuro Yamashita is a true gem of Japanese pop music, and now it's available on black vinyl for the ultimate listening experience.Originally released in 1987, "Go Ahead" is a showcase of Yamashita's versatility as a musician, with a blend of genres including pop, funk, and even rock. The album includes hits like "Big Wave," "Windy Lady," and "Daydream," which have become staples of Yamashita's repertoire.This limited edition black vinyl release features a high-quality remaster of the original album, complete with a full-color inner sleeve and exclusive liner notes. The sleek design captures the essence of Yamashita's music, with its catchy melodies and guitar riffs.Experience the magic of Tatsuro Yamashita's "Go Ahead" like never before with this essential LP release. Order now and add this masterpiece to your collection of Japanese pop music.✺ Originally released in 1978✺ Limited edition✺ Pressed on 180g black vinyl

✺ Light in the Attic World Exclusive (Including Japan)✺ Japanese import✺ Pressed on black double vinyl✺ First ever vinyl release of several rare tracks including "Bikkuri Party No Theme"✺ Track selection and liner notes by Hashim Kotaro Bharoocha✺ Remastered and cut by Bernie Grundman✺ Art direction by Takashi OkadaAt the center of Tokyo’s Techno Pop scene was ALFA/YEN Records. The label left behind an impressive body of work, but much of it wasn't made widely available... until now! This new, definitive compilation focuses on the music archives of the YEN Records catalog, available for the first time exclusively at Light in the Attic. This is a true celebration of Japan's Techno Pop scene of the 80s, reissued with the intent that future generations, internationally, will be able to discover, enjoy, and appreciate ALFA/YEN and its significant contributions to the sonic landscape of the 80s and beyond.

"Plastic Love" often comes to mind as the quintessential example of City-Pop, originally written and produced by Japanese power couple Tatsuro Yamashita and Mariya Takeuchi in 1984. Later in 1991 it was covered with new Cantonese lyrics by Anita Mui, and now, over 3 decades later, the pursuit to give this song new aesthetics continues with yet another cover with Anita Mui's Cantonese lyrics but with a completely different feel. What could be interpreted as relatively raw production methods is turned into a refreshing take on this classic Japanese 80's anthem. Originally recorded during golden age of Japanese technology with a highly polished sound, Xiaolin gives it a new twist with a rougher edge established by the drum machines and saturated bass echoing video game soundtracks from a bygone era, beautifully juxtaposed with her dreamy vocals. Also included, a karaoke instrumental version on the B-side.