[Song Rev.#156]
"Ongaku-no yōna kaze" by Tokyo Sunset Girlz
Hi. Today's song is "Ongaku-no yōna kaze" (Music-like wind) by "Tokyo Sunset Girlz".
It's a vivid and warm nice cover of "EPO"'s 1985 hit song, "Ongaku-no yōna kaze" (Music-like wind), by a 7-piece pop group "Tokyo Sunset Girlz", featuring 2 excellent female vocalists.
If you like, please listen.
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Song data
| Title | Ongaku-no yōna kaze |
|---|---|
| Artist | Tokyo Sunset girlz |
| Album Title | |
| Catalog Number | MIN-11 |
| Track No. | 4 |
| Duration | 5:21 |
| Released | 2012 |
| Publisher | MIN Label |
| Lyricist | |
| Composer | |
| Arranger |
About the creators
EPOLyricist & composer
"EPO" (epo) is a popular singer-songwriter active since 1980. She is also practicing as a therapist recently.
Early times
While EPO was a student of a middle school, she was a good athlete who was able pass a high-level college of PE(physical education) later.
But at the same time, she was learning, and playing the piano for some time.
In a high school, she began to write, and perform music. And soon after entering a college, she finally debuted with her first song "Down Town" in 1980.
Leading pop singer
It was lucky that her debut song "Down town" was selected as an ending theme for a TV comedy variety, "Ore-tachi Hyōkin-zoku" (We are a comedy gang).
This program soon became a super popular TV variety.
As the popularity of the program increases, the name of EPO came to attention as well.
Actually, EPO is a talented creator of POP music. What she released, or wrote for the other artists were all cheerful. unique, and friendly, and quite a few of them became hit songs.
In that way, EPO established her name as a leading POP singer. But on the other hand, she was not feeling right with the situation.
Natural & acoustic
In 1987, she contracted with a foreign label, and moved to UK.
She spent for 4 years in there, and explored her music for the future.
Then, the new horizon she reached was "Natural & acoustic" style.
Actually, her music was focusing on her inner-self more, so, "Natural & acoustic" is the most suitable.
EPO continued to pursue this style until just before 2010.
acceptance
In 2011, EPO released a best album featuring her line up of the '80s, in other word, pop songs.
It was an epoch, since she had been having a lingering sense for her '80s Pop songs, in spite of their excellent quality, and unbeatable popularity.
Anyway, it seems that she regained a motivation to challenge pop songs again, through the release of this best album.
That may be why her 2015 album, "Ai-wo, Love is on" is surprisingly pop.
(Ref: music-calendar.jp,
EPO Down town, 16-05-2015)🇯🇵
(Ref: music-calendar.jp,
EPO birthday, 12-05-2015)🇯🇵
(Ref: rittor-music.co.jp,
EPO interview, 08-03-2018)🇯🇵
(Ref: cdjournal.com,
EPO interview, 30-06-2009)🇯🇵
(Ref: ti-da.net,
EPO interview)🇯🇵
(Ref: natalie.mu,
EPO GOLDEN☆BEST, 07-12-2011)🇯🇵
(Ref: eponica.net,
EPO diary)🇯🇵
Video clip
Finally, this is a video clip of "EPO"'s 2015 song, "Ai-wo, Love is on" picked out from her album of the same title.
Since the mid '90s to 2000s, EPO tended to release natural, acoustic, and healing type ballad more.
But this album "Ai-wo, Love is on" is different. It is a lot more pop and sunny, like her albums of the '80s.
The introduction of "Ai-wo" sounds like a refined Jazz ballad, but it will be changed into pop & swinging later.
If you like, please listen.
* "Ai-wo, Love is on" by "EPO"
Harunobu ŌkuboArranger
"Harunobu Ōkubo" is a keyboardist, session musician, composer, arranger, and music producer active since 1980.
"Ōkubo" is known as a key member of "Hideki Saijō"'s backing band, since he had been there for 36 years, until "Hideki" departed in 2018.
Penguin & Hideki
"Harunobu Ōkubo" seems to be started his professional career in the late 70s, by becoming a member of an '80s rock band "Penguin", which those in the know rave.
("Ōkubo" does not mention about this in his bio though.)
Around 1982, "Okubo" joined a backing band for a pop star, "Hideki Saijō" as a keyboardist.
Since then, he continued to be there until its end.
MEN'S 5 & Makiba-Ō
In 1989, "Okubo" participated in a 5-piece pop group "MEN'S 5" as a founding member "Bon-Boyo-Yon" (springy, jellylike, elastic).
"MEN'S 5" is known as a rare, and unique pop group who continuously release novelty songs. And they are still active.
In 1996, one of their song "Tottemo Uma-nami" (A very good average) was selected as an ending theme for a popular TV anime series, "Midori no Makibaō".
The series became a hit program, and the song also gained popularity.
Thanks to this, "MEN'S 5" came to attention.
Recent
Because "Okubo" is a member of various bands, or session groups, he is having a busy days for recording or live sessions.
And recently, as a producer or partner, he is having a session with a pop singer, "Kasumi" in varying live venues in Tokyo.
(Ref: pinkfloydtrips.com, Harunobu Ōkubo)
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of a nice rock track, "Mae-wo muite arukou" (Walk straight ahead) by "Penguin".
And, the keyboardist in the video is "Harunobu Ōkubo".
An '80s edgy rock band "Penguin" was restarted in 2012. The members are, Makoto Takahashi (Vo, Gt), Kazufumi Ōhama (Bass), "Masayuki Higuchi(d)" (Ds), and "Harunobu Ōkubo" (Kb).
This is a rock, but the sound is happy, and not too hard.
If you like, please listen.
* "Mae-wo muite arukou" by "Penguin"
Cover art today
Song image & Lyrics
Open
Link to the lyrics
Copyright notice on the lyrics link
Sound impression
Bright & breezy
This is a simple and lively pop-rock song, featuring a refreshing chorus of a female duo.
Vivid
The drums, bass, acoustic & electric guitar, and chorus begin a vivid introduction, but with slight nostalgic feel.
In a balmy evening like pleasant main theme, a natural vocals of two singers harmonize.
In the middle of the song, a brass synthesizer also joins, and adds an accent.
(The sample of the original version of today's song performed by "EPO", is available on the above page of Amazon. Please select track No.1 of Disk 2.)
Reference
About Google translate
About the artist
Tokyo Sunset GirlzVocaland2 & VJQ
"Tokyo Sunset Girlz" is a 7-piece pop group featuring 2 fine female vocalists, namely "Miho Fujina" & "Tomoyo Yoshida".
The team was formed in 2008, and have been showing live performances mainly. Then, then the albums they have released seems to be only this one, namely "Photograph" (2012). Single records are not released so far.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Tokyo Sunset Girlz)
"Tokyo Sunset Girlz"
As mentioned, "Tokyo Sunset Girlz" was formed by 7 musicians, mainly to perform the covers of the hit songs of the 80's.
The members are,
- Vocal
- Miho Fujina
- Vocal
- Tomoyo Yoshida
- Keyboatd
- Harunobu Ōkubo
- Piano
- Shigeru Sawamura
- Dtums
- Kei-ichi Hiroishi
- Bass
- Masao Nakamura
- Guitar
- Kunihito Ikeda
- Guitar
- (Kenji Yoshida) (ex member)
and,
At the dawn of the 21st century, concerts, or live stages took on greater importance in music business, while the sale of music products was going into a down trend.
Under such a change in music environment, musicians or singers began to form more loosely connected session team to perform their favorite music more casually.
And we reckon "Tokyo Sunset" is one of such groups. If they add a male vocalist "Keiju Murakami", the team becomes "Tokyo Sunset boyz".
If "Miho Fujina" & "Tomoyo Yoshida" sing as the main vocalists, it becomes "Tokyo Sunset Girlz".
"Miho Fujina"
Naturally, the character of the band has arisen from 2 beautiful singers performing at the front.
So, we would like to introduce just a bit of biographies of them.
Firstly, "Miho Fujina". According to some articles, "Fujina" seems to be started her career in entertainment business by participating a musical theater in 2007.
At the same time, she joined a Jazz vocal group, and was performing own live stages, or taking part in the shows of other artists as a chorus support.
As a solo singer, she has involved many recordings, or tours as a chorus.
And now a days, "Miho Fujina" is occasionally holding solo live at several bars and venues around Tokyo, and singing nice Jazz Bossa.
The below is an omnibus album which one of her song, "Kiseki-wo tunagu-hi" (The day for connecting miracles) is included.
"Tomoyo Yoshida"
Then, "Tomoyo Yoshida".
"Yoshida" debuted in 1994 with her first single "Mabushii hitomi" (Dazzling eyes). Since then, she has released 10 singles and 3 albums as a solo singer.
In 1997, she involved in a vocalist promotion project called "Vocaland2", produced by "Toshiki Kadomatsu". And released 1 single, and 1 omnibus album.
And in 2001, "Yoshida" teamed up a new pop group named "Grunion" with 2 other experienced musicians namely, "Tetsuji Hayashi", and "Cheep Hiroishi", and released 2 albums so far.
Then in 2007, "Yoshida" took part in "Tokyo Sunset boyz",
Recent
It seems that "Tokyo Sunset Girlz", or "Boyz" are not active recently.
Some members are occasionally joined, and having a session in different unit, but there aren't any concerts or lives as "Tokyo Sunset Girlz" for recent few years.
We wish the group like "Tokyo Sunset Girlz" could continue the band activity, and perform high quality covers like these, or release excellent original songs.
(Ref: ardeur.ocnk.net, Tokyo Sunset Girlz)
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Tokyo Sunset Girlz)
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of "Tokyo Sunset BoyZ", from their live stage.
The title of the song is "We Are Tokyo Sunset BoyZ". It is performed at the beginning of their live.
In the middle of the video, 3 vocalists come up on the stage. They are, "Miho Fujina", "Tomoyo Yoshida", and "Keiju Murakami" from left to right.
The video clip seems to be filmed by a Camcorder, so the sound and video qualities are so-so.
But we think you can feel their high quality sound, and an enjoyable atmosphere of their live.
The video clip is uploaded by the vocalist "Keiju Murakami". So, there should be no problem.
If you like, please listen.
* "We Are Tokyo Sunset BoyZ" by "Tokyo Sunset BoyZ"
Music Samples
4
(試聴する)
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itunes
(By clicking the banner, itunes page of the above album will be open. Please select track No.4 for listening the sample.)
Amazon JP(en)
(No sample)
hmv.co.jp
(No sample)
Japanese Letters
| Song Title | 音楽のような風(Ongaku-no yōna kaze) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Tokyo Sunset Girlz |
| Album Title | Photograph |
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