Rare ’70s Japanese neo-funk album from Hiroshi Sato reissued for the first time

Breezy Balearic synth pop with a Nippon twist.

Multi-instrumentalist and producer Hiroshi Sato’s 1979 Orient LP is being rereleased by Wewantsounds, for the first time this February.

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Sato, a member of Happy End, was offered a spot in Yellow Magic Orchestra by Haruomi Hosono, who plays bass on this album. (Sato however turned the invitation, which was then offered to Ryuichi Sakamoto.)

Orient, remastered from its original tapes for this reissue, features Sato on vocals, keyboards, kalimba, drums, writing and production duties – alongside musicians including Shigeru Suzuki on guitar, Hosono on bass, Pecker on percussion, plus Sato on keyboard and synthesizers.

Pre-order a copy of Orient here ahead of its 2nd February release, and listen to ‘Jo Do’ below.