Milky Mama identifies itself as a band covering the genres of rock, AOR, pop and fusion. Originating as a club in a Tokyo women's university, vocalist/guitarist Setsuko Shibata（柴田摂子）started things up with drummer Hiroko and bassist Etsuko Yoda and a few others. With a few changes in the lineup, the current band has Shibata, Yoda, keyboardist Wakana Miyano and Makoto Hayakawa on drums, and they have been playing at the various live houses.
With four songs on the single, the title track is first up to bat. "Midnight Walk", as the title hints, is a nighttime groovy tune which seems to be partially overlaid on the rhythms of Hall & Oates' "I Can't Go For That". Yoda provides some fine City Pop bass but those synths take things up briefly into the ionosphere as well. Also have to point out that the cover of that mystery woman hovering by the entrance of that fancy boutique adorns the song very nicely.
At 5:31, "Daylight Passage" is a sunset-sounding West Coast AOR number that brings to mind a stroll on the boardwalk with the appropriate wailing guitar and bluesy saxophone helping out. "Sail On to the Night" at 10:16 manages to do some quick introductions of the sounds that shape it: a versatile horn section that does the pendulum from cool fusion to some swing jazz plus an added spacey synth. This is City Pop costumed in a zoot suit and a fob watch as it proudly strides into downtown Tokyo for a night out on the town. Finally at 14:31, "Ryuusei"（流星...Shooting Star） is some more West Coast fun with a bit more Airplay (maybe even Rick Springfield) and Electric Light Orchestra. And yet, that guitar solo in there transports me back to Japanese pop once more.
A couple of other songwriters have helped out, but it's mainly Milky Mama who has been handling the words and music. "Midnight Walk" at 1000 yen would make for a fine if rare acquisition for those City Pop/J-AOR fans, but unfortunately according to their website, it's sold out there, although, some auction sites are selling it for as much as almost 20 times that price. Too much milk for that mama! There is a self-titled full album CD on the Milky Mama site, though.
In any case, if any of the band members see this article and notice any errors, let me know.
Hello J-Canuck,
ReplyDeleteNow this album is as 1980s as you can get. It kind of reminded me of Piper's "Lovers Logic" album in execution. This album is so 1984 it tugs at the heart. On the other hand Piper's offering was more 1985.
Why would a year make a difference? Because music was changing so fast back then. You can take a song or an album from that era and determine which year it was released by it's production and/or style alone.
Yes, there was some overlap, and some music were released either right on time or too late.
Too bad the album is already sold out. I would have bought it too.
And it was only 1000 yen?
Such a deal!
Thanks.
Hello, Chasing Showa. Yup, "Midnight Walk" is one of those City Pop rarities that I love to discover on YouTube during my random forays. Glad that Milky Mama is still active but I wish they had been more prolific with the album output.
DeleteI was curious about your statements on how 1984 music would be different from 1985 music, for example. Can you tell me what stands out as different in terms of the arrangement between music from the 2 years?
Hello J-Canuck,
ReplyDeleteI based it on the era. As I said previously, popular music was evolving very quickly during that time. Yes, you do have era's that the music barely changes until something comes in and shakes up the landscape.
I use the year 1984 as a dividing line between when the 1980s version of music established its own identity and sound. However, with this evolution, it came in stages and continued to do so to the end of the decade.
There were a number of factors: everything from song structure, production, songwriting, and even down to the instruments that were popular at the time. We also can't discount the artists, and the influence of those who were within the orbit of those artists.
As well, as what was popular at large.
Let's use for example your own definition of the champagne and caviar genre. That was pure 1985, at least from my perspective. The latter generations call it sophisti-pop. I'm sure the name will change again somewhere down the line. I couldn't see that sub-genre happening before 1985 even though the forerunners of it was already manifesting itself in 1983.
Yeah, I went on a little to long with this but it's 5am my time and I have a long day ahead of me. If I sound a little incoherent I apologize in advance.
Thanks.
No problems, Chasing Showa. You've explained yourself well. Yup, I think the City Pop example is a good one since even within that genre, the sound evolved from the 1970s to the early 1980s to the late 1980s. Will be interested in seeing how J-Pop changes as we go further into the 2020s.
Delete