Mother Goose -- Mada Minu Kaitakusha e（まだ見ぬ開拓者へ）

 

Having described Mother Goose's（マザー・グース） 1977 2nd album "Panorama House" as a mélange of 70s kayo styles that don't include enka or aidoru such as New Music, City Pop, folk and country, I can recommend this album to City Pop fans although the songs aren't all of that genre.

At 15:37 of the above video for the entire album is an interesting track called "Mada Minu Kaitakusha e" (To the Pioneers Who Have Not Yet Seen). That's a pretty high-falutin' title and the song, written/composed by Mother Goose member Yumiko Kyoda（京田由美子）and arranged by Jun Sato（佐藤準）, begins with some fairly dramatic pop orchestra including strings, timpani and what sounds like a harpsichord, so on first hearing this, I'd assumed that the ladies were entering some form of progressive rock.

However, "Mada Minu Kaitakusha e", despite the presence of these instruments which at times make the mid-tempo song sound rather fit for a "Masterpiece Theatre" soundtrack, comes across as a rather inspiring New Music piece. Plus, Kyoda's lyrics are encouragement for those trying to make a name for themselves and she even gives a shout out to Jesus Christ as he crosses the Jordan River and makes his return into Jerusalem. The band sings that if he can do that, then we humans are capable of anything that we set our minds to. It's definitely a standout track.