Ongaku Cafe (The ’80s): TM NETWORK – DRESS (1989/2013) (Blu-Spec CD 2)

What happens when TM NETWORK gives their masters out to America’s top music producers to recreate the music of popular songs.  It may not be for everyone, but for those intrigued by the concept, may want to check it out! BAND: TM NETWORK ALBUM: DRESS Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’70s – 2010s): Matsutoya Yumi – Yumin Kara no, Koi no Uta – 45th Anniversary Album (2018)

For those who want to listen to Yuming’s popular songs, songs which were released as singles and yes, the “Ghibli” anime songs, then you want to purchase the 40th anniversary album.  Otherwise, these songs selected by Matsutoya Yumi for her 45th anniversary are wonderful, many Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’80s & ’90s): WINK – WINK MEMORIES 1988-1996

Every single from WINK is collected in this finale farewell album. If you are a diehard WINK fan or a music listener who has not owned one WINK single or album, this release is for you. Definitely recommended! GROUP: WINK ALBUM: WINK MEMORIES 1998-1996 LABEL: Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’80s): Nakamori Akina – Best II (1988)

For anyone considering Nakamori Akina’s “BEST II”, it no doubt captures Nakamori Akina’s domination on the characters from 1986-1988. You get three years of awesome music and no doubt an album I have come back to when I want to listen to Nakamori Akina.  Recommended! Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (80s, 90s): B’z – B’z The Best XXV 1988-1998 (Rel. June 2013)

Of all the numerous best album releases from B’z, their 25th anniversary double album “THE BEST XXV” releases are the best albums for fans to purchase by far!   “B’z – B’z The Best XXV 1988-1998” is highly recommended! BAND: B’z ALBUM: B’z The Best XXV Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (’70s-2019): Takeuchi Mariya – Turntable (2019)

“Turntable” is a wonderful 40th anniversary album and a complete package that is like a bookend piece to “EXPRESSIONS”.  Featuring a culmination of 40-years of Takeuchi Mariya’s work, I highly recommend this album! ARTIST: Takeuchi Mariya ALBUM: Turntable LABEL: MOON RECORDS (Warner Music Japan) CATALOG Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’70s/The ’80s): Kawashima Eigo – Mihappyo Rokuonshu (1975-1981)

Featuring unreleased tracks studio recordings and also a live concert of Kawashima Eigo and his band that was released to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of Kawashima’s death.  For fans of Kawashima Eigo, this is an album that features unreleased, rare tracks and also a Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’80s): Ohtaki Eiichi – A Long Vacation – 30th Anniversary Edition (March 1981/30th anniversary – March 2011)

I believe that one should own a copy of “A Long Vacation”, it’s a classic and beloved album in Japan, others call it a representative of “City Pop” but for the most part, it’s simply a well-produced album and as we approach the 40th year Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’80s, The ’90s): Various Artists – Fuyu no Kibun

Is “Fuyu no Kibun” a perfect winter compilation?  Not really.  It’s also subjective to the listener.  But considering you are getting over 2.5 hours of wonderful music from the past and many winter songs, you really can’t go wrong, because it’s no doubt one of Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’80s): Yamashita Tatsuro – Christmas Eve (November 1988)

Yamashita Tatsuro’s “Christmas Eve” is just one of those must-play songs and for me, this single is one of the few that I own that will always be played every year!   Recommended! ARTIST: Yamashita Tatsuro (山下達郎) CD SINGLE: Christmas Eve (クリスマス・イブ) LABEL:  Moon Records CATALOG Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (2010-2019): Yamashita Tatsuro – OPUS ~ALL TIME BEST 1975-2012~ (September 2012)

You get 55 tracks in this magnificent best album.  This may be the final Yamashita Tatsuro produced best album on CD and he no doubt wanted it to be special.  And it’s a special best album featuring hit songs and also unreleased songs from 1975-2012 Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’80s): Yamashita Tatsuro – Melodies (June 1983)

“Melodies” is a classic album from Yamashita Tatsuro that still is on my playlist to this day! ARTIST: Yamashita Tatsuro (山下達郎) TITLE: Melodies LABEL: Alpha Moon Inc./Moon Records CATALOG #: 32XM-27 DURATION: 41 Minutes RELEASE DATE: June 8, 1983 1. 悲しみのJODY (She Was Crying) 2. Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’80s): Takeuchi Mariya – VARIETY 30th Anniversary Edition (Original Album Release: April 1984)

Takeuchi Mariya’s “Variety 30th Anniversary Edition” is no doubt a magnificent anniversary album release!  It was her comeback album after marriage, a move to a new label, an album that she wrote entirely and composed and released while she was pregnant with her first child.  Read More …

Ongaku Cafe (The ’80s): Kimagure Orange Road – Singing Heart (December 1987)

WHIMSICAL & ENJOYABLE! For the fans of the “Kimagure Orange Road” anime TV series, “Singing Heart” is a soundtrack I highly recommend! ARTIST: Various Artists ALBUM: Kimagure Orange Road: Singing Heart /きまぐれオレンジ☆ロード: Singing Heart LABEL: Futureland CATALOG #: LD32-5061 DURATION: 51 Minutes RELEASE DATE: December Read More …