The women of Japan’s ’80s City Pop scene collected on new compilation

Tokyo Nights.

The eighties were a kind of golden age for Japan – a time when the country experienced a seemingly limitless financial boom known as the Bubble.

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This newfound growth and extravagance was echoed across society including its music culture, inspiring a genre called City Pop, which became a kind of soundtrack for Japan’s new and lavish way of living.

Tokyo Nights, a new compilation from Cultures of Soul, “presents 12 of the most memorable and sought-after songs of the era recorded by female artists,” explains co-compiler Eli Cohen in the liner notes.

“More than catchy melodies and funky baselines, these are reflections of a time when Japan was the centre, and future of the world.”

Co-compiled by Eli Cohen (Alliance Upholstery) and Deano Sounds (Cultures of Soul) – following their previous Caribbean and South African compilations – Tokyo Nights includes tracks by Hitomi Tohyama, Junko Ohashi, Mizuki Koyama, Kaoru Akimoto, Aru Takamura, Mariko Tone, Rie Murakami, RA MU, Kikuchi Momoko and Yumi Seino.

The 2xLP release features the 12 supremely epic covers from each track’s original sleeve, plus notes with information about each song 12.

Tokyo Nights: Female J-Pop Boogie Funk: 1981 to 1988 is out 15th December on Cultures of Soul.

Pre-order a copy here, check out the track list and listen to Mizuki Koyama’s ‘Kareniwa-Kanawanai’ and check out the track list below.

Track list

Side A

A1. Hitomi Tohyama – Exotic Yokogao
A2. Hitomi Tohyama – Wanna Kiss
A3. Mizuki Koyama – Kareniwa-Kanawanai

Side B

B1. Junko Ohashi – Dancin’
B2. Junko Ohashi – Sensual Night
B3. Kaoru Akimoto – Dress Down

Side C

C1. Aru Takamura – I’m In Love
C2. Mariko Tone – Broken Eyes
C3. Rie Murakami – T.N.T.

Side D

D1. RA MU – 愛は心の仕事です (Love Is A Work Of Mind)
D2. Kikuchi Momoko – Mystical Composer
D3. Yumi Seino – スカイレストラン (Sky Restaurant)