[Light & relaxing]
No.94 "Sensation" by Amii Ozaki
Hi. Today's song is "Sensation" by "Amii Ozaki".
Quite a few of Japanese are not getting enough sleep now, since the world cup foot ball matches are being on-aired in the mid night(23:00-05:00).
How are things on your end?
(This article was originally posted during the week which the FIFA world cup 2018 was being held.)
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1.Song data
| Title | Sensation |
|---|---|
| Artist | Amii Ozaki |
| Album Title | STOP MOTION |
| Catalog Number | TOCT-26825 |
| Track No. | 1 |
| Duration | 3:23 |
| Released | 1978 |
| Publisher | Toshiba EMI |
| Lyricist | Amii Ozaki |
| Composer | Amii Ozaki |
| Arranger | Amii Ozaki |
- About the creators
Amii OzakiSongwriter & arranger
"Amii Ozaki" is a singer, lyricist, composer, arranger, keyboardist and producer active since 1976.
Self-complete
From songwriting to music producing, she controlled the essential part of the recording by herself for this track.
In Japan, such luxury is only allowed for the trusted creators with proven track records. The number of such musicians are not many.
Anyway, we would like to come back to her later in "About the artist" section, since she is a singer for today.
Cover art today
- Sound impressions
Resort & laid back
This is a relaxing, and mostly acoustic pop song in moderated speed in 8th note rhythm.
Sound of surf
After the sound of ocean surf, the bass, drums, and the acoustic & electric guitars silently start the introduction.
In the middle of the song. the strings, acoustic piano and the percussion join, and make ensemble richer.
And in the bridge, we can enjoy a nice sax solo.
Slightly husky
"Amii Ozaki" has a characteristic husky alto voice, but it well matches with her stylish and urban melodies.
That has been a charm of her music since debut.
- Reference
- About the artist
Amii OzakiNext phase singer-songwriter
As mentioned little bit, "Amii Ozaki" is a singer, lyricist, composer, arranger, keyboardist and producer active since 1976.
She is also well-known as a songwriter who has been offering many hit songs for various artists.
"Amii Ozaki" debuted in 1976 with single "Meisō" (Meditation). Since then, 38 singles, and 28 original plus 7 best albums have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Amii Ozaki)
Before debut
"Amii Ozaki" began to learn the piano when she was small, and composed and presented her 1st song when she was a junior high-school student.
In high-school, she joined few of amateur pop bands, and started to sing in front of the people.actively entered local song contests.
One day, a band she belonged to entered a local song contests. "Amii Ozaki" showed an outstanding performance, and surprised judges.
As a result, she was encouraged to debut as a professional singer, from the people in the music business.
Debut
In March 1976, "Amii Ozaki" debuted with her first single "Meisō"(Meditation). And in August of the same year, the 1st album "Shady" was released.
The producer and arranger of them was "Masataka Matsutōya", who was a known talented keyboardist, and a former member of a super group "Tin Pan Alley".
Thanks to "Matsutoya", the arrangement of songs are kind of most advanced in its day.
And musicians participated in this album were all young, but very competent members as well.
For example, the backing chorus were "Tatsuro Yamashta" & "Minako Yoshida".
Needless to say, members of instruments team were equally superb too.
To be a song-writer
In 1977, her 3rd single and 1st commercial song "My pure lady" was launched.
This became her 1st smash hit, and her visibility was risen sharply.
In 1978, for the first time in life, "Amii Ozaki" received a request for writing a song for other singer.
Even more critically, the singer was a top female idol star at that time, and the song was set to be a commercial song for a cosmetics company.
She penned a lyrics, composed a music, and also created an arrangement of the melody. Then, offered this song for her.
The title of the song was "Haru-no yokan. I've been mellow" (Spring is on the way.). And the singer was "Saori Minami".
By the way, we have posted this song some time. If you like please also check.
Fortunately, the song achieved a reasonable hit.
The song was a slow and elegant music, and was rather different from the hit songs of the day. So, this reasonable hit was a fine result clearly more than expected.
Actually, this songs is still popular as one of the hit song of "Saori Minami". So, it might be a standard number of the '70s.
Hit song maker
Since then, her presence as a song writer became greater. She began to receive more requests writing songs for other singers.
In 1978, she also wrote songs like these.
- "Yuko Kanai"
"Pastel Love" - "Mariko Takahashi"
"Anata-no sora-wo tobitai"
(Wish to fly your sky) - "Anri"
"Olivia wo kiki-nagara"
(Listening to Olivia)
"Pastel Love" (1978)
by "Yuko Kanai"
(You can still listen these songs by clicking the banners. Please select the track No.2 once the page is open.)
And in 1979,
- "Ikue Sakakibara"
"Kaze-wo mitsumete"
(Looking at the blowing wind) - "Junko Sakurada"
"Lady"
"Kaze-wo mitsumete" (1979)
(Looking at the blowing wind)
by "Amii Ozaki"
(Sakakibara ver. Not available)
(You can still listen these songs by clicking the banners. Please select the track No.4 once the page is open.)
Hard to believe, but these series of smash hits were written within 2 years time. Some of them have been signature songs for individual artists.
"Ozaki" continued to offer songs to many different artists. And in the '80s, she created these hit songs.
- "Iyo Matsumoto"
"Toki-ni ai-ha" (Love is often...) - "Seiko Matsuda"
"Tenshi-no wink" (Angel's wink)
"Tenshi-no wink" (1985)
(Angel's wink)
by "Seiko Matsuda"
(You can still listen these songs by clicking the banners. Please select the track No.8 once the page is open.)
As just described, she has been an incredible songwriter since the beginning.
It was as if her wave was synchronizing with the rhythm of the times.
As a popular singer
Of course, "Amii Ozaki" is also excellent as a singer.
She has released many hit albums, and still performing actively.
But before starting that part, we would like to take a break, since it is getting too long.
We would like to continue this topic on other opportunities, so please wait for a while. Thank you.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Amii Ozaki)
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of a song title "Nioi-tatsu kaze" (scented breeze), performed by a male chorus group "La Dill".
The song is written, composed, arranged and produced by "Amii Ozaki". So, please have a look. "Amii Ozaki" herself also appears in the clip.
If that helps, "La dill" is a unique ensemble since all 4 members are active Opera-singers.
Therefore, their chorus is very beautiful and professional. So, this typical love song of Amii's sounds like a classic.
Usually, those classical singers do not sing popular songs much. But an elegant collaboration like this can be a good stimulation, we suppose.
* "Nioi-tatsu kaze - La dill
- Samples from online music stores
About the samples
Please go to the page below, and just play or click track No.1.
Trial button is on the left side of the song title.
AD :
Free listening samples
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
Apple Music(jp)
1
8. Japanese Letters
| Song Title | センセイション (Sensation) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 尾崎亜美 (Amii Ozaki) |
| Album Title | STOP MOTION |
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