I adore old Japanese Music!

[t3mpt0n]

For a while now I've been listening to nothing but old Japanese tunes.
As this is a retro-gaming server I'm sure this doesn't make me unique.
Anyway, what are some city pop albums you guys like?
I'll start:

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Ann Lewis - Pink Pussy Cat (1979)​

Kouichi Kawamura - Have a Good-Time (1989)​

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​

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Masayoshi Takanaka - An Insatiable High (1977)​

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

It's peak...

 

[Yeet6767]

 

[NotReallyHere]

Have you discovered Tatsuro Yamashita yet? For many, he is synonymous with City Pop

I'd recommend this compilation, if you can find it. It's a greatest hits volume under the guise of a radio station broadcast, complete with lead-ins from the DJ and commentary between tracks. It's a real treat to listen to - and the included songs are fantastic!

His album Moonglow is a little easier to find, sometimes. Not sure if you collect vinyl records or not, but Mercari and Discogs seem to be the best, most-reliable places to find them online. You can always try eBay, too, but I find they tend to be a bit pricier.

When Ship to Shore Phono Co was still around, they got me turned on to Piper. Gentle Breeze, Summer Breeze, Sunshine Kiz, and Lovers Logic are fantastic albums - and all pretty easy to find on YouTube!

I do love City Pop, but I also like the stranger electronic sounds of groups like YMO and whatnot. It's unreal how much pioneering Japanese electronica has been sampled and used in other songs over the years. Makes discovering the OG tracks that much more fun.

It's kinda cheating, but I do like this track featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto and Thomas Dolby. Once you go down the Sakamoto rabbit hole, there's no way back out...

 

[Antilocal123]

Same, I LOVE old Japanese artists like Lana Del Ray and Taylor Swift, so kawaii < 3

 

[NeonKnights]

 

[Parasite_Steve]

Same, I LOVE old Japanese artists like Lana Del Ray and Taylor Swift, so kawaii < 3

Hate to break it to you but this act of yours doesn’t really work in a forum where everyone can just put you on ignore and never see any of your comments ever again. Kinda like I’m doing now, toodles

Not sure what possessed the YouTube algorithm to bless everyone with city pop recommends, but I’m glad it did. Going further back into the 60s and 70s I have a big soft spot for usually very cheesy enka, especially Meiko Kaji who was also a kickass actress:

She recently released a new album after a hiatus of several decades.

 

[pipolaplaya]

Personally, I prefer the folk rock of Happy End.
You may already have heard their song Kaze Wo Atsumete, which is part of the Lost in Translation soundtrack, but I recommend their entire album Kazemachi Roman from 1971.

 

[Deleted member 99901]

Post automatically merged: Mar 31, 2025

The updated "Persona-fied" version:

Post automatically merged: Mar 31, 2025

Whew, I'll stop now before I get carried away.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

The economic bubble was a magical time.

 

[t3mpt0n]

Have you discovered Tatsuro Yamashita yet? For many, he is synonymous with City Pop

I'd recommend this compilation, if you can find it. It's a greatest hits volume under the guise of a radio station broadcast, complete with lead-ins from the DJ and commentary between tracks. It's a real treat to listen to - and the included songs are fantastic!

View attachment 51545

His album Moonglow is a little easier to find, sometimes. Not sure if you collect vinyl records or not, but Mercari and Discogs seem to be the best, most-reliable places to find them online. You can always try eBay, too, but I find they tend to be a bit pricier.

View attachment 51546

When Ship to Shore Phono Co was still around, they got me turned on to Piper. Gentle Breeze, Summer Breeze, Sunshine Kiz, and Lovers Logic are fantastic albums - and all pretty easy to find on YouTube!

I do love City Pop, but I also like the stranger electronic sounds of groups like YMO and whatnot. It's unreal how much pioneering Japanese electronica has been sampled and used in other songs over the years. Makes discovering the OG tracks that much more fun.

It's kinda cheating, but I do like this track featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto and Thomas Dolby. Once you go down the Sakamoto rabbit hole, there's no way back out...

Yes I have his entire discography downloaded.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Same, I LOVE old Japanese artists like Lana Del Ray and Taylor Swift, so kawaii < 3

I don't get the joke.

 

[t3mpt0n]

One of my favorites that started out in 84 and was active until 2001.

Then the only Jpop group I liked that I listen to in my early teens in 1997 and up

Another favorite I grew up with from 1995

Also another favorite I grew up with.

Nice! I would recommend this idol pop album from 1984 as well!

Rosé by Mari Iijima (1984)​

Mari Iijima 『飯島真理』

Mari Iijima (飯島 真理, Iijima Mari, born May 18, 1963) is a Japanese actress and singer. She writes and produces most of her own music, and plays the piano and ...

youtube.com

Post automatically merged: Mar 31, 2025

Whew, I'll stop now before I get carried away.

HOLY SHIT!
I love Vantage!
I heard their edit of this song and had no idea where it came from.
Thanks Man

 

[mcatis]

I'm a huge fan of Psy-S. That's Masaya Matsuura's band, who created and worked on the music for PaRappa the Rapper. They have a pretty massive discography that's worth exploring.

 

[Antilocal123]

Hate to break it to you but this act of yours doesn’t really work in a forum where everyone can just put you on ignore and never see any of your comments ever again. Kinda like I’m doing now, toodles

Not sure what possessed the YouTube algorithm to bless everyone with city pop recommends, but I’m glad it did. Going further back into the 60s and 70s I have a big soft spot for usually very cheesy enka, especially Meiko Kaji who was also a kickass actress:

She recently released a new album after a hiatus of several decades.

I’d say it worked perfectly if you responded for a Gotcha crodie

 

[NotReallyHere]

NGL, this is IMMEDIATELY what I thought of when I first read the title and saw, "Old Japanese Music." Who knew it would be a thread about City Pop??

Post automatically merged: Mar 31, 2025

I'm a huge fan of Psy-S. That's Masaya Matsuura's band, who created and worked on the music for PaRappa the Rapper. They have a pretty massive discography that's worth exploring.

Also responsible for the original opening to City Hunter 2! And many other anime, I'm sure

I guess 80s anime is a pretty good window into various artists from the City Pop scene, come to think of it. Such a time capsule - and one I find myself re-visiting frequently

 

[Deleted member 99901]

I forgot the grand daddy of them all:

 

[Kamako]

I quite enjoyed this album

 

[catcrew]

For a while now I've been listening to nothing but old Japanese tunes.
As this is a retro-gaming server I'm sure this doesn't make me unique.
Anyway, what are some city pop albums you guys like?
I'll start:

​

​

Ann Lewis - Pink Pussy Cat (1979)​

View attachment 51447​

Kouichi Kawamura - Have a Good-Time (1989)​

View attachment 51457​

​

​

​

Masayoshi Takanaka - An Insatiable High (1977)​

View attachment 51512​

I love Takanaka!!

The famous Flying Beagle is very good too!

 

[t3mpt0n]

I love Takanaka!!

The famous Flying Beagle is very good too!

Thanks! I've actually never listened to Flying Beagle.
Guess it's even more incentive to listen to it then.

 

[catcrew]

Thanks! I've actually never listened to Flying Beagle.
Guess it's even more incentive to listen to it then.

Yeah it's an amazing jazz album, give it a try! :D

 

[t3mpt0n]

Yeah it's an amazing jazz album, give it a try! :D
View attachment 54582

ok

 

[PurpleShoes]

Not much of a City Pop fan myself, but Japan has a rich and colorful Jazz tradition, nearly on point with the US and Puerto Rico!

Ryo Fukui makes some excellent impressionistic piano jazz, infused with some delicious shinto ideals. He may be one of my favorite musicians of all time.

Hidehiko "sleepy" Matsumoto is a fantastic Japanese Saxophonist going back to the 50s! Known for his mellow, 'sleepy' style, he's great with atmosphere and flow. Also it rules getting to tell people you just bought a record by Sleepy.

Casiopea get a lot of love, and for good reason! They do jazz fusion like no other! I can't even describe them in a way better than listening would!

There's tons more, but these three should be a good starter pack!

 

[catcrew]

Not much of a City Pop fan myself, but Japan has a rich and colorful Jazz tradition, nearly on point with the US and Puerto Rico!

Ryo Fukui makes some excellent impressionistic piano jazz, infused with some delicious shinto ideals. He may be one of my favorite musicians of all time.

Hidehiko "sleepy" Matsumoto is a fantastic Japanese Saxophonist going back to the 50s! Known for his mellow, 'sleepy' style, he's great with atmosphere and flow. Also it rules getting to tell people you just bought a record by Sleepy.

Casiopea get a lot of love, and for good reason! They do jazz fusion like no other! I can't even describe them in a way better than listening would!

There's tons more, but these three should be a good starter pack!

I love casiopea!!!