One of the enduring images of Japan that kept up my determination to return to that country when I was a high school student was on a poster produced by Japan Travel Bureau which showed a glorious photo of the skyscrapers in West Shinjuku during sunset. The light and shadows bouncing off the tall buildings just had me going "Yes. I have to get back there someday." And I did. I often walked among the towering office towers and hotels in Shinjuku on my way back to my school or heading to an assignment. Nothing said Modern Japan than a stroll in that area. And if you want to do the same there, just head for Tochomae Station on the Oedo Line.
One such example is a song that I discovered on YouTube by the rock band TokyoJAP (東京JAP)which had its run between 1982 and 1986. Consisting of members from a rock n' roll musical troupe known as Mr. Slim Company, the band debuted with the single "Give Me Chocolate"(ギブミー・チョコレート)and the album "Hatsu"(発...Departure) in 1982 and released 6 singles and 4 albums in total before their breakup.
TokyoJAP's 5th single "Matenro Blues" (Skyscraper Blues) from October 1984 was the one hit that the band had. Written by Masao Urino(売野雅勇)and composed by Kyohei Tsutsumi(筒美京平), it is one of those cool night-in-the-metropolis tunes that has the band sounding midway between Omega Tribe and TOKIO. With the bongos and harmonica in there, I can just imagine seeing some dude walking on the street between the skyscrapers sucking back on a Marlboro.
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