Toshinobu Kubota -- Missing

Going into Hump Day today. And although it's only January, it may go down as one of the Humpiest Days this year so far on hearing that there was a massive commuter nightmare on the TTC here this morning due to a partially derailed subway, I think that the probably statistically few subway riders who had been caught up in that and actually look at "Kayo Kyoku Plus" could use something mellow to start things off.

I've been meaning to highlight this one in an article for a while now, and considering the bad traffic for many Toronto folks, perhaps this is the time for "Missing" by Toshinobu Kubota（久保田利伸）. Written, composed and performed by the smooth-sounding singer, even if folks don't understand a word of Japanese, I think that this love song about the sorrow of being apart can reach anyone who's willing to give it a listen. Wouldn't mind hearing some of this soul in contemporary J-Pop someday again.

The original "Missing" was a part of Kubota's debut album "Shake It Paradise" released in September 1986 which peaked at No. 22. That album also includes "Shitsui no Downtown"（失意のダウンタウン）. Above this paragraph here is a self-cover that was a part of his November 2010 album "Love & Rain ~ Love Songs" that went as high as No. 11.

According to the J-Wiki article on the song itself, a long line of singers have also covered "Missing" such as Ms. OOJA (above) and Atsushi of EXILE.