Kazuko Ishibashi -- I-Yo-（イーヨー）

Now, I've seen this album cover in the pages of "Japanese City Pop" often enough and I was intrigued about what Kazuko Ishibashi（石橋和子）had to offer in terms of the genre.  However until recently, I couldn't find anything of her material on YouTube. That has now changed thanks to folks like Xerf Xpec, so many thanks to them all.

Singer-songwriter Ishibashi released her first album "Nice to Meet You" back in March 1981 and from what I've read for the review of this inaugural release, it's not chock-filled with City Pop but showcases a number of genres from Ishibashi such as blues and jazz as well. However, the first track "I-Yo-" (It's Alright) is indeed a fine example of the genre that has captivated so many folks outside of Japan for the past few years. "I-Yo-" has got plenty of that bouncy piano, the steady bass and that certain wailing electric guitar thanks to the melody by the singer. Ishibashi was also responsible for the lyrics. Shigeru Suzuki（鈴木茂）arranged Side A of "Nice to Meet You" while Jun Sato（佐藤準）took care of Side B.

As for Ishibashi herself, from what little information I could discover from Idol.ne.jp, she hails from Tokushima Prefecture, and in 1978, she won at the 2nd annual Fresh Sounds Contest sponsored by the TBS Radio program "Sounds With Coke" and Coca-Cola Japan. She released her first single "Nice to Meet You" in 1981 along with its namesake album. The following year, she and Tatsuro Yamashita（山下達郎）had their stints as personalities for a year on "Sounds With Coke". Then in 1985, she left show business to start a family, returning 20 years later to get back to music. Including "Nice to Meet You", she has released 2 albums and that single, with a mini-album coming out following her return to the music industry.