OFF COURSE - i(ai)

I hate that I don't have time to write an in depth bio for the band but I wanted to post this because it's great and a fantastic introduction to the band's catalog. 

Off Course is a fantastic soft rock/folk rock band from Japan who grew to be very popular during the 70's/80's. While they were knocked a bit for being too sentimental and singer Kazumasa Oda's higher vocal register, their talent for songwriting is undeniable. The singles I posted below are a little more up tempo then most of their songs, but if you enjoy the sounds of 60's baroque pop and 70's soft rock, you'll have a great time listening to this band. I was very excited to come across this and I hope you enjoy it too!

Special thanks to the anonymous JPDDL uploader!





















i(ai) (2006)

Disc 1

1. 愛を止めないで
2. Yes-No
3. 言葉にできない
4. 秋の気配
5. さよなら
6. めぐる季節
7. 水曜日の午後
8. 僕の贈りもの
9. 別れの情景(2)－もう歌は作れない
10. 愛の唄
11. 眠れぬ夜
12. 夏の終り
13. 風に吹かれて
14. 思いのままに
15. 私の願い
16. 心はなれて



Disc 2

1. 僕等の時代
2. YES-YES-YES
3. 時に愛は
4. 愛の中へ
5. 哀しいくらい
6. せつなくて
7. 一億の夜を越えて
8. いくつもの星の下で
9. Christmas Day
10. I LOVE YOU
11. 君が、嘘を、ついた
12. 夏の日
13. 緑の日々
14. 君の倖せを祈れない
15. 君住む街へ
16. 生まれ来る子供たちのために

Chakra: チャクラ, さてこそ & 南洋でヨイショ

While this post may focus on this short lived but fantastic group, it's really in recognition of it's vocalist Mishio Ogawa. 

Active since the late 70's, Ogawa began her career with Chakra releasing these three fantastic albums. Eclectic, poppy, and Minyo/Ryukuyuan influenced, Chakra fits right in with truly enviable alternative/new wave scene emerging in Japan during this time. 

Quickly after Chakra's demise, Ogawa released 4 fantastic solo albums which continued very much in the style of the band and has also been with several "super groups" so to speak (Wha-ha-ha, Toshiyuki Honda Radio Club, Haniwa). 

These three albums come highly recommend and are courtesy of JPDDL.com. If you're a fan of early Haruomi Hosono, Miharu Koshi or Taeko Ohnuki, you'll definitely dig them! "さてこそ" in my opinion really embodies their perfect sound. 

You can click on any of the albums names to find the link. You can also expect to see her solo albums and two more from Hideaki Tokunaga  Enjoy!

チャクラ (1980)

1. 福の種
2. マネキン
3. あこがれ
4. 島の娘
5. 東京スウィート
6. いっしょに
7. アイ・アム・ソーロー
8. 空の友達











さてこそ (1981)

1. めだか
2. ミュン ミュン
3. おちょーし者の行進曲
4. You Need Me
5. これから死んでゆくすべての生命体に捧げる詩
6. いとほに
7. Free
8. III
9. 微笑む
10.ちょっと痛いけどステキ









南洋でヨイショ (1983)

1. スウィング(タコにささげるよ)
2. 南洋でヨイショ
3. 本当のこと言えば
4. 私と百貨店
5. ペリカン
6. まだ
7. テーマ(Instrumental)

Hiroshi Takano: CUE

Admittedly, I don't know too much about Takano's career. I was familiar with 虹の都へ and decided to take a chance on the album. Fortunately it did not disappoint and is a entertaining early 90's rock album. Enjoy!


CUE (1990) 

1. I・O・N (in Japanglish)
2. 虹の都へ
3. やがてふる
4. Eye to Eye
5. 一喜一憂
6. DAN DAN
7. 幻
8. From Poltamba
9. 人形峠で見た少年
10. 友達について
11. 大切な「物」
12. 化石の記憶
13. 9の時代
14. October

安全地帯 ANOTHER COLLECTION (REPOST)

Sorry for the delay! Some fantastic B-sides on this album. Enjoy!

安全地帯 ANOTHER COLLECTION (1994)

1. 一度だけ

2. FIRST LOVE TWICE

3. We're alive

4. マスカレード(Single Version)

5. 置き手紙

6. 一秒一夜

7. ノー・コメント

8. チャイナドレスでおいで

9. 俺はシャウト！

10. 恋はダンスではじめよう

11. じれったい(シングル・ヴァージョン)

12. ひとりぼっちの虹

13. きっかけのWink

14. 時計

15. Non Senseだらけ

16. 地平線を見て育ちます

17. あの頃へ

Number Girl: School Girl Distortional Addict

Back in 2005/2006 I discovered Number Girl on Myspace and songs off of School Girl Distortional Addict happened to be the first tunes I heard. Perhaps its nostalgia, but this is their best album in my opinion and a significant improvement over their first. Great music, great album cover, great everything. Enjoy!

Also, its very clear to me how much that Green Day's American Idiot opening riff sounds slightly reminiscent of the opening riff to "日常に生きる少女" but, that riff pretty much sounds like every Pixies song....so cest la vie.

School Girl Distortional Addict (1999)

1. タッチ
2. PIXIE DU[¨]
3. 裸足の季節
4. YOUNG GIRL SEVENTEEN SEXUALLY KNOWING
5. 桜のダンス
6. 日常に生きる少女
7. 狂って候
8. 透明少女

9. 転校生
10. EIGHT BEATER

Number Girl: School Girl Bye Bye

Number Girl was a four piece japanese alt rock outfit spawning out of Fukouka in 1995. This is their debut, released independently in 1997. I would describe their early sound as something in between the Pixes and Sonic youth with more of a 90's pop punk edge, but it began to evolve as time progressed! The group disbanded in 2002, but most of the members are still active in other projects, particularly lead singer Shutoku Mukai's band Zanzen Boys. Check it and if you like what ya hear, there will be more to come! Enjoy!

School Girl Bye Bye (1997)

1. omoide in my head

2. 大当たりの季節

3. SENTIMENTAL過剰

4. September girlfriend

5. IGGY POP FANCLUB

6. 水色革命

7. 渚にて

8. SUMMER of California 73

9. mini grammer

10. 我起立唯我一人

11. 4 track professional

Scoobie Do: Beautiful Days

Merry Turkey Day! Hope everyone has been well. My day has been odd this year but ultimately I did have something to be thankful for! I thought I would post something today that a lot of visitors will enjoy. Scoobie Do is a Japanese Funk/Soul Rock group and no they aren't meddling kids that travel around in the Mystery Machine solving "ghostly" mysteries. Sorry I had to make the joke. Anyway, I discovered this group a few years ago through myspace (when it was useful) and songs from "Beautiful Days" is what I happened to hear. The group has a great vibe and definitely try it out if you are into upbeat "funky" rock. Enjoy!

Beautiful Days (2004)

1. 愛がゆく

2. ラストナンバー (Beautiful Dawn)

3. パレード

4. 名もない朝

5. Urban Souls

6. Beautiful Days

7. 美しい日

8. 無敵のバカ

9. 恋は魔法

10. 風の恋人~Sunset Saudade~

11. 夕陽の進むほう

12. 茜色が燃えるとき

13. また逢う日まで

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