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I would like to give credit where credit is due. Videos are from YouTube and other sources such as NicoNico while Oricon rankings and other information are translated from the Japanese Wikipedia unless noted.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Masami Tsuchiya -- Stay in Heaven


To tell the truth, I chose the labels for this entry quite liberally since there's too much going on here. Yep, this is fusion alright, with funk, rock, pop and exotic sounds from the Middle East working together in perfect harmony. I first heard it back in 2008 when I was busy exploring Japan's techno and new wave scene from the 80's. Naturally, I checked out Ippu-Do (一風堂) and got introduced to the solo work of their leader Masami Tsuchiya (土屋昌巳). When it was turn to try out his 3rd 1987 album, "Life in Mirrors", I was startled by the sudden change of sound that the opening track "Stay in Heaven" presented. I never heard this side of him before. Only this past year I found out through this blog that he has created some funky songs for Junko Ohashi (大橋純子) back in the 70's even before Ippu-Do debuted. This man also knows how to groove.

Needless to say, I welcomed this song gleefully. It's such an irresistible and eclectic number that brings to mind a dance festival in oriental paradise. The brass band is very busy here. I also enjoy Tsuchiya's Bowie-like vocals since they have this story-telling effect. He composed and arranged the song while Yasuo Sugibayashi (杉林恭雄) provided the lyrics. While doing research for this article, I was further amazed by all the personnel that was involved in "Life in Mirrors". Of course, there was Tsuchiya's regular collaborator Mick Karn, along with David Sylvian, John Taylor, and Guy Barker from one side of the Pacific. The Japanese musicians, including Satoshi Nakamura (中村哲), Ichiro Nitta (新田一郎) and Kazuto Shimizu (清水一登), were prolific in the country's City Pop and kayokyoku scene and took care of all the horns action. As a cherry on top, the flawless Minako Yoshida (吉田美奈子) participated in the back chorus. You can hear her voice on this track.




Source: amazon.jp
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6 comments:

  1. Marcos V.October 11, 2013 at 10:58 PM

    Hi J-Canuck.

    I found this a very interesting piece. As you said, a lot of things are happening at the same time but in perfect harmony. I imagine that a song like this one played in great audio quality must introduce our ears to even more hidden sounds. I liked it a lot, especially the groovy bass and the horns.

    Thanks a lot for this article. I'm going to try other songs by Masami Tsuchiya.

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    Replies
    1. J-CanuckOctober 11, 2013 at 11:00 PM

      Hi, Marcos. Thanks for the compliments, but I'm afraid I can't accept them. :) However, I'm sure nikala will be very grateful.

      Delete
    2. Marcos V.October 12, 2013 at 10:29 AM

      Oh, what a mistake. I confused the authors in this one. Sorry for that, nikala.

      Delete
    3. nikalaOctober 12, 2013 at 10:54 AM

      No worries, Marcos. It's not always easy to tell when the author's name appears in small font at the end of the entry. =) And thanks very much for your comments. Tsuchiya's discography is pretty diverse (like Bowie's) and his albums have conceptual sounds. My personal favorites are "Life in Mirrors" (which follows the theme set up by "Stay in Heaven) and "Horizon".

      Delete
  2. J-CanuckOctober 11, 2013 at 11:15 PM

    Ooh, ooh, ooh.....let's dance! And here I thought Kenji Sawada looked like the Japanese David Bowie. We've actually got a guy who sounds like him. As Marcos said, love the bass, horns....and the drums. And Tsuchiya sounds so unique. May have to do a bit of digging for him myself.

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    Replies
    1. Marcos V.October 12, 2013 at 10:30 AM

      He reminded me of David Bowie as well. And he also looks like him. =)

      Delete

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