Tokyo Bliss

Description

Following the compilations *Tokyo Glow* and *Funk Tide*, Wewantsounds once again teams up with DJ Notoya, the expert in Japanese funk, for a selection of funk, boogie, and city-pop tracks recorded in Japan between 1974 and 1988 for King Records, one of the country's most important labels. These tracks - highly sought after in the Japanese groove scene - are mostly unreleased outside of Japan and showcase the diversity and quality of Japanese music recorded in the 70s and 80s. The selection kicks off brilliantly with Buzz, a folk duo formed in the early 70s by Hiroshi Koide and Masakazu Togo, who released a handful of albums for King in the 70s. The next track, featuring an 80s-style synth boogie sound, is performed by singer Mami Ayukawa, active on the Japanese music scene in the mid-80s. Notoya's selection also includes the delightful "Fade In" by Keiko Toda, released in 1983, which adds a classy touch to the compilation with its languid rhythm and synth riffs. The rest of *Tokyo Bliss* alternates between the soaring funk-folk "Bokura no Date" by Koji Kobayashi released in 1978 and the 80s funk bomb "Your Love's Away" by Kumiko Sawada, produced by the prolific guitarist Kazuo Takeda and his band Creation, who also accompany Sawada on this track. The album, like its predecessors, was illustrated by Manuel Sepulveda/Optigram and features liner notes by DJ Notoya. Audio remastered.