In the past years I have been getting more and more into “world music”, which in general is not such a hip term. I have however seen a change in the popularity of different (let’s say alternative) music from different regions. Obviously the upcoming of the internet in the last 2 decades has also changed a lot in terms of availability. The comeback of vinyl (and represses) has given the “world music” genre the comeback it deserves, at least in my opinion.

The great thing about music is that there is pretty much an endless amount of music available, way more then any person can get to know in their lifetime. In my opinion these different “repress-labels” have opened a world for music-aficionados, since most of the re-releases are even hard to find online.

Since there are way too many good represses coming out from all different regions of the world, I will focus this time on solely japanese releases. These have also been even more hidden due to the fact that the english speaking world can’t even read or type the characters in the japanese language.

So without further ado, my top 10 japanese tracks:

Chiemi Manabe — Untotookue

Taken from Chiemi’s 1982 album, very sweet track with catchy female Japanese vocals and melodies.

Pizzicato Five— Porno 3003

Pizzicato Five is a japanese popband that has been rocking it since 1979, recorded 15 Albums so far. This gem is taken from the “Happy End of the World” album from 1997

Osamu Kitajima — Wild Monk

Upbeat Jazz from Multi-Instrumentalist Oasmu Kitajima, released on the album “Masterless Samurai” in 1980

Midori Takada — Mr. Henri Rousseau’s Dream

Very artsy track from 1983, repressed in 2017 by Palto Flats

Osamu Kitajima — Taiyo (The Sun)

Second track in this list by Osamu Kitajima, taking from the more “Zen” album Benzaiten

Ryuichi Sakamoto — Plastic Bamboo

B-side from the 7 inch repress of Thousand Knives on Rush Hour, originally released in 1978

Yasuaki Shimizu — Suiren

Taken from the very rare Kakashi released in 1982, repress by Palto Flats in 2017

Masahiko Sato — TBSF

Taken from the Belladonna Soundtrack (Italy-inspired anime from 1975), repressed by Finders Keepers

Yasuaki Shimizu — Kakashi

Title track from the before mentioned Kakashi album repressed by Palto Flats

Kenji Kawai — M08 Floating Museum

Taken from the Ghost in a Shell OST, re-released multiple times.

For more Japanese music (and hearing the above ones in a set) you can have a listen at: