Akina Nakamori/Takao Kisugi -- Shiroi Labyrinth（白い迷い）

 

I've mentioned this before in past articles, but I think one of the characteristics of a song created by Etsuko and Takao Kisugi（来生えつこ・来生たかお）has often been one of lush strings and arrangements. In fact, I'd say that a Kisugi creation can be included in that genre that I formalized within the boundaries of "Kayo Kyoku Plus" known as Fashion Music. The song has that certain classical baroque quality in its pop as well as a feeling that the setting isn't in Japan but in some European country.

Maybe I ought to be saying that for some of those aidoru songs that the Kisugis had also been responsible for. Namely for this article, I'm referring to Akina Nakamori's（中森明菜）"Shiroi Labyrinth" (White Labyrinth) which was a track on her 6th studio album "Possibility" from October 1984.

Arranger Mitsuo Hagita（萩田光雄）was on top of this particular track as well as most of the others on "Possibility" (which I will always remember for Akina in her "Flashdance" sweater on the cover), and it's a winner for its sweeping sensation as a young lady has doubts whether the man she loves will ever reciprocate on the same level as her. By this point in her career, it is evident that her voice already began dropping to those smoky depths, and I think that it works better with this song than those higher and chirpier tones when she debuted.

"Possibility" reached No. 1 on Oricon and stayed on top for two straight weeks. Despite the relative lateness of the release, the album managed to rank No. 18 on the Oricon yearly charts. Possibility became reality for young Akina.

Later in December that year, Takao released his own album "Labyrinth" with a cover of "Shiroi Labyrinth" as arranged by Paul Mauriat. Although different in sound, the song still retains that feeling of Fashion Music.