I adore old Japanese Music!

t3mpt0n

Young Hero
Level 1
21%
Joined
Jan 4, 2025
Messages
41
Level up in
59 posts
Reaction score
91
Points
127
Location
Your Mom's House
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)​
1743388256670.png



Kouichi Kawamura - Have a Good-Time (1989)​
1743388659419.png
Masayoshi Takanaka - An Insatiable High (1977)​
1743390890321.png
 
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!

R-2220384-1615627280-7868_535x.jpg


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.

m71479062480_1.jpg


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... ;->

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

 
Post automatically merged:

The updated "Persona-fied" version:

Post automatically merged:


Whew, I'll stop now before I get carried away.
 
Last edited:
The economic bubble was a magical time.
 
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.
 
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)​

Post automatically merged:

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
 
Last edited:
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.

 
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 😉
 
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:

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 🥰
 
Last edited:
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)​



Kouichi Kawamura - Have a Good-Time (1989)​
Masayoshi Takanaka - An Insatiable High (1977)​
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.
Yeah it's an amazing jazz album, give it a try! :D
text.gif
 
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!
 
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!!!
 
Beware: There have been no replies in this thread for 90 days.
Keep that in mind when expecting a reply from the people on it,
You can also start a new thread instead. This is just a heads-up, bumping is allowed in this forum.

Users who are viewing this thread

Connect with us

Support this Site

RGT relies on you to stay afloat. Help covering the site costs and get some pretty Level 7 perks too.

Featured Video

Latest Threads

Best gaming duos

What are your favorite gaming duos? I'll get things started.

X and Zero...
Read more

Planet base - Super Metroid

Anyone play this ROMhack update in Planet Base yet? Holy crap how haven't I heard of this one...
Read more

Best PS3 games, both well known or "hidden gems", anything goes.

Valkyria Cronicles
Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction
Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty...
Read more

what art style for RGT game (last post about it I swear)

I know I know I'm yapping, but Loki I need your guys vote and I could not say it as a reply...
Read more

Online statistics

Members online
95
Guests online
3,909
Total visitors
4,004

Forum statistics

Threads
13,057
Messages
317,831
Members
873,278
Latest member
dhaniels

Advertisers

Back
Top