Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 130 - Hidden J-Pop Classics Special Part III: Japan Edition

The Heroine of Hidden J-Pop Masterpieces Part III...

In the previous post from the Hidden J-Pop Masterpieces Series (Part II), I featured Haruko Kuwana.
This time, I’d like to introduce two female vocalists, both of whom released albums in the early 1980s. However, they are more than just singers—they are singer-songwriters who, like Kuwana, compose their own music and write their own lyrics.
The two albums I’ll be introducing may not be widely known today, but both are truly outstanding. I highly recommend giving them a listen.

The First Musician...

Back when I was about to graduate from university, a friend introduced me to an album. He told me, “It’s really cool, you have to listen to it,” so we played the LP at his house.
The musician’s name was Tazumi Toyoshima. My initial reaction was, “Who is this?”
Tazumi Toyoshima is a singer-songwriter from Fukuoka Prefecture. She gained popularity as a radio personality and also composed commercial jingles and TV drama theme songs. Over her career, she released a total of seven original albums.

■ Recommended Album: Tazumi Toyoshima - Lonely One (1981)

In the liner notes of this album, Toyoshima comments, “A farewell gift for a woman standing at a major crossroads in life.”
Various farewell-like scenes are presented from her own perspective. Whether these are based on personal experiences or not is unnecessary to inquire about.
While Toyoshima’s liner notes might suggest she is seen as an ‘enigmatic woman’, she has stated that the reality is quite different.
When I first listened to this album, I was struck by how incredibly sophisticated the sound was. Looking at the recording lineup, you’ll find first-call musicians such as guitarist Masaki Matsubara, bassist Yasuo Tomikura, keyboardist Haruo Togashi, and percussionist Kimchi Kimura. The names of musicians connected to Makoto Matsushita, whom I previously mentioned (Yasuo Tomikura and Haruo Togashi), also appear.
Toyoshima’s husky voice, layered over such intricate performances, gives the album an urban feel, making it well deserving of being called a hidden gem.
In recent years, Japan’s city pop boom has swept the world, and I think this album would certainly deserve a place on that list.
Lonely One was remastered from the master tapes in 2018, improving the sound quality even further.

Recommended Song: “Smoggy Tokyo Night”

The opening track of the album. When I first heard this song, my immediate reaction was: This sound is pure Steely Dan! The tight rhythm section intertwined with Masaki Matsubara’s guitar creates an unmistakable Steely Dan vibe. Adding to the groove is Haruo Togashi’s Fender Rhodes piano, which further drives the momentum. The restrained song progression and female backing vocals evoke memories of Steely Dan’s classic “Babylon Sisters”. This track embodies the pinnacle of pop sophistication. The lyrics and composition are by Tazumi Toyoshima.

Recommended Song: “Umi no Mieru Mado” (A Window with an Ocean View)

This was a personal favorite of a friend of mine. The lyrics, penned by Keiko Kisugi, vividly depict a languid moment between a man and a woman. The line “Trying to act cool...” particularly resonated with my friend.
This kind of lyrical and musical storytelling is a hallmark of Tazumi Toyoshima’s style. The standout feature of the track is Nobuo Yagi’s blues harp solo in the instrumental section. Additionally, the beautiful backing vocals in the latter half feature Makoto Matsushita, reminiscent of the harmonies found on his album First Light.

Recommended Song: “Kuro no Dress” (Black Dress)

The song kicks off with Masaki Matsubara’s slick and groovy guitar strumming. As the rhythm section locks in, the Fender Rhodes backing adds depth, while Kimchi Kimura’s percussion brings an extra layer of color. When Tazumi Toyoshima’s vocals come in, her signature musical world unfolds beautifully.
This track truly shines in its impeccable musicianship. It’s a perfect example of how the power of space in music can make a song even cooler. Lyrics and composition by Tazumi Toyoshima.

The Second Musician: Asami Kado

This album was also introduced to me by my surfer friend. The artist’s name is Asami Kado. At the time, I had never heard of her, but I was blown away by the album’s sophisticated sound.
Some of the songs feature ocean-themed lyrics, which surfers would naturally gravitate toward. Combined with the trends of that era, the album exudes a stylish and sensual vibe, enhanced by her sultry vocal style.
Asami Kado hails from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and first gained attention through her songwriting and singing at Yamaha’s Popular Song Contest.

■ Recommended Album: Asami Kado - Fascination (1979)

Released in 1979, Fascination is Asami Kado’s debut album.
Her distinctive vocal tone and phrasing create an album that blends pop sensibilities with a mature, sultry charm.
As a remarkable singer-songwriter, she composed both lyrics and music for her songs. While the album doesn’t include musician credits, it is known that artists from the Tin Pan Alley scene, such as Shigeru Suzuki and Masataka Matsutoya, were involved, contributing to the album’s sophisticated sound.

Recommended Song: “Keep On Loving”

The arrangement for this track was handled by Shigeru Suzuki, the renowned guitarist from Tin Pan Alley. On this album, he arranged three songs in total.
The highlight of this track is the brief but brilliant hi-hat and bass drum phrase just before the vocals begin—it’s absolutely perfect! It seamlessly connects with the lyrics “Breaking waves...”, painting a vivid soundscape. Whether this drum arrangement was Suzuki’s idea or the drummer’s, it’s unclear, but this intro alone had me completely hooked. The shimmering sound of the Fender Rhodes piano adds an extra layer of beauty!
The song is based on a bossa nova groove, featuring elegant diminished chords throughout. This sophisticated melodic sense is Asami Kado’s signature, showcasing her ability to accentuate her own unique style.

Recommended Song: “Good Luck”

This track was arranged by Masataka Matsutoya, featuring a beautifully rich orchestral arrangement with strings. The arrangement perfectly highlights Asami Kado’s elegance and subtle ennui. Instead of overwhelming the track with excessive sounds, Matsutoya’s refined approach keeps the instrumentation minimal, allowing each element to shine. This restraint showcases his exceptional musical sensibility.

Musicians, Albums, and Recommended Tracks Featured in This Article

• Artists: Tazumi Toyoshima, Asami Kado, Shigeru Suzuki, Masataka Matsutoya, Makoto Matsushita, and others
• Albums: Lonely One, Fascination
• Recommended Tracks: “Smoggy Tokyo Night”, “Black Dress”,“Umi no Mieru Mado” (A Window with an Ocean View), “Keep On Loving”, “Good Luck”
• Instruments: Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes Piano, and others

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