Mikkou

Description

Yoshiko Sai holds a unique place in the Japanese music scene. From the release of her debut album Mangekyou in 1975, she captivated audiences with her ethereal voice, poetic lyrics, and magnetic presence, gaining an ever-growing cult following over the decades. After the successful reissue of Mangekyou, Wewantsounds is delighted to continue its momentum with Mikkou, the singer's second album, originally released in 1976 on the Black Records label. Produced by Isamu Haruna, surrounded by the best Japanese studio musicians, including Masayoshi Takanaka, the album is distinguished by a clever blend of poetic compositions and subtly funky arrangements carried by Yoshiko Sai's ethereal voice. However, Mikkou marks a new stage in the singer's artistic vision, inspired here by the Silk Road and the rich cultural heritage of her hometown, Nara. Sai's compositions explore themes of femininity, freedom, and intergenerational transmission. Tracks such as "Kaasama no Uta" ("Mother's Song") and "Tenshi no Youni" ("Like an Angel") blend blues, jazz, and folk sensibilities, with instrumentation including tabla, sitar, and dulcimer, reflecting the influences of the Silk Road. The title Mikkou ("Secret Passage") expresses the feeling of a hidden journey, both real and imaginary, that runs throughout the album. Sai also designed the album cover, inspired by her reflections on ancient Persian travelers and the cultural exchanges along this route. As she told Hashim Kotaro Bharoocha about the title track: "This idea of slipping away somewhere perfectly matched the mood of the moment... it was like approaching everything in life as if you were secretly sneaking into it." This Wewantsounds reissue marks Mikkou's first international release, presented with remastered audio and the original artwork, offering a rare glimpse into Yoshiko Sai's subtle and dreamlike universe.