KAZU MATSUI feat. Maxi Anderson – “Sunset memory” (1983)

Smooth Summer Groove woven delicately by two masters of mellow Jazzy Soul artistry: Japanese musician Kazu Matsui and US session vocalist Maxi Anderson. Taken from Matsui’s LP “Standing on the outside” released in 1983.

 

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 4:34

http://www63.zippyshare.com/v/j5DR4Ik2/file.html  

NORIYO IKEDA – “Dream in the street” (1980)

Early ‘80s Japanese Soul obscurity……need I say more ?????

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 4:56

http://www36.zippyshare.com/v/66533494/file.html  

TAKAKO MAMIYA – “All or nothing” (1982)

The wealth of soulful Japanese gems seems to be endless. Check this wicked midtempo taken from her only LP “Love trip” released on USM Records.  

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 4:21

http://www25.zippyshare.com/v/82165079/file.html

SHIRO SAGISU feat. Jennifer Ingram-Brown – “Stuck on me” (1999)

Superb production! Japanese prolific producer & composer Shiro Sagisu teams up with U.S. vocalist Jennifer Ingram creating soulful sensation like no other. This gem could easily sweep music charts in the early 80s all over the world, don’t you agree?

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 7:05

http://www6.zippyshare.com/v/87776777/file.html

TAKESHI ITOH feat. Cindy Fee – “This masquerade” (1984)

My UK friend Paul Grestock surprised me once again with this exceptional cover version of Leon Russell’s classic. Taken from Japanese saxman TAKESHI ITOH’s debut LP “Dear hearts” released on Columbia Records in 1984 in Japan. Personnel include Nathan East, Steve Lukather, Marcus Miller, Paul Jackson Jr., John Robinson and Larry Williams among others.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 6:03
http://www56.zippyshare.com/v/20709809/file.html

MASAYO KAWAGUCHI – “Melty” (1981)

The beauty of Japanese Soul is here again, this time with a great arrangement by Shigeru Suzuki. Taken from Masayo’s rare LP “Salute” released on “For Life Records” in 1981 in Japan.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 4:56
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/59674487/file.html

AKIKO KOSAKA – “Love is smiling” (1983)

Here’s another fine selection from the Japanese Rare Soul sessions. Taken from Akiko Kosaka’s 1983 LP “Again” released on Philips Records in Japan. Enjoy!

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 3:29

http://www25.zippyshare.com/v/75377886/file.html  

HIROSHI FUKUMURA feat. Sybil Thomas – “The only one for me” (1985)

Japanese Jazz trombonist Hiroshi Fukumura collaborates with US session vocalist Sybil Thomas providing a marvelous Soul ballad. Taken from his 1985 LP “Hot shot” released on Apollon Music Corp. in Japan. Many thanks to my friend SoulLakis for reminding me this lost gem.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 4:06
http://www18.zippyshare.com/v/90610220/file.html

CANDY ASADA – “No, no darling” (1982)

Here’s another surprising Soulful gem from Japan. Taken from her debut LP “Welcome back…to you” released on Atlantic Records only in Japan.


Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 4:37
http://www20.zippyshare.com/v/21871175/file.html

SHOODY – “Tokyo melody” (1981)

Feel-Good Groove recorded by an obscure Japanese songstress named Shoody. Sought after Modern Soul Boogie 7” single released on Invitation Records in 1981 only in Japan.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 4:39
http://www41.zippyshare.com/v/75514185/file.html  

AKIRA JIMBO feat. Maxi Anderson – “Our sweet melody” (1989)

First of all I wanna thank my dear friend Paul Grestock who introduced me to this sublime Jazzy Soul gem which features Maxi Anderson on lead vocals. She is one of my all-time-favorite singers. This exceptional collaboration with Japanese drummer Akira Jimbo was recorded in 1989. This great track is written and arranged by the very talented keyboardist Randy Kerber. Taken from Akira’s album “Palette” released on Optimism Records.


Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 3:29    
http://www35.zippyshare.com/v/7694330/file.html 

HIROMI IWASAKI – “White nights” (1980)

Hiromi Iwasaki has been one of the most prominent artists of the J-Pop scene in the late 70s and early 80s, recording also some great soulful sessions. I chose a wonderful Soul rarity from 1980 released only as a B side on 7” single on Victor Records in Japan.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Time 4:21
http://www63.zippyshare.com/v/72073745/file.html 

MAI YAMANE – “Wave (Do it again)” - 1980

As I promised, this is one of my best posts so far all the way from Japan! A real “treasure-pleasure” oozing sheer SOUL class produced by Makoto Matsushita. Taken from Mai Yamane's debut LP entitled “Tasogare” released in 1980 on Continental Records only in Japan.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Total time 4:34
http://www.mediafire.com/?z8c4fpfq8xqbx7n

NAOKO KAWAI & DAVID FOSTER – “Live inside your love” (1984)

Here’s an obscure mellow Soul-Pop duet by Japanese songstress Naoko Kawai with legendary songwriter/producer David Foster. Taken from Naoko’s 1984 LP “Daydream coast” released on Columbia Records in Japan.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Total time 3:44
http://www.mediafire.com/?xpxsq4sbxqhsws4

ERI KOJIMA – “Lonely feeling” (1984)

Japanese Soul rarity at its best !!! This gem is going to blow you away. Released only as a B side of her 7” single “Foul play” on Canyon Records in 1984 in Japan. Stay tuned for more Japanese Soul magic in future posts.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Total time 5:19
http://www.mediafire.com/?9m35my3at6r39j9

GAL – “Being seduced” (1978)

Here’s a lovely Japanese rarity from a female trio called GAL consisting of Hiroko Ishida, Riyo and Mayumi Kuroki. The title is translated while the lyrics are sung in Japanese.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Total time 3:49

http://www.divshare.com/download/17346262-9ed

MIKI MATSUBARA – “It’s so creamy” (1980)

Japanese Rare Groove at its best. This great gem sounds like it was written by Rod Temperton! Taken from Miki’s debut LP entitled “Pocket park” released on Seesaw/Canyon Records in 1980 only in Japan.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Total time 3:40
http://www.divshare.com/download/17346333-e51

MINAKO YOSHIDA – “Hoho ni yoru no hi” (1982)

Japanese Soul never ceases to surprise. Here’s another mellow 2-Step knockout taken from Minako’s LP “Light’n up” released on Alfa Records only in Japan in 1982.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Total time 5:40
http://www.divshare.com/download/17346345-ce8

JUDY ANTON – “Living in the city” (1980)

Smooth Jazzy Soul surprise from an obscure female artist. Produced and arranged by Makoto Matsushita. Taken from her LP entitled “Smile” released on Continental Records in 1980 only in Japan. Wonderful sax by Takeshi Itoh. Enjoy!!!

Download file below (320 kbps) – Total time 6:05
http://www.divshare.com/download/17346297-65d

ANRI – “Shooting star” (1992)

Multi-talented Japanese singer-songwriter ANRI (real name: Eiko Kawashima) delivers a wonderful soulful nugget taken from her CD album “Moana Lani” released on For Life Records only in Japan in 1992.

Personnel include Paul Jackson Jr. on guitar, Freddie Washington on bass, Greg Phillinganes on keyboards and Gerald Albright on Alto sax solo.

Download file below (320 kbps) – Total time 5:28
http://www.divshare.com/download/17346171-478