Sumiko Toyohiro -- Namida ga Kawaku made（涙がかわくまで）

 

I've already spoken of obscure City Pop artist Sumiko Toyohiro（豊広純子）twice on "Kayo Kyoku Plus": once for her torch song single "Tawamure no Koi no Mama ni"（たわむれの恋のままに）and then the classy "Night Flight".

Both songs also ended up on Toyohiro's lone album "Water Heart" from 1983, and this new addition to her file actually starts off the album. As with "Night Flight", "Namida ga Kawaku made" (Until the Tears Dry) takes things even further into Keiko Maruyama's（丸山圭子）romantic bossa nova realm, and I think Maruyama herself could cover this one. Written by Goro Matsui（松井五郎）and composed by Toyohiro, the silky strings by themselves are able to transport listeners to far warmer and more comfortable climes. 

Commenter Mike, who gave me the tip on Toyohiro in the first place, has certainly opened up my eyes on "Water Heart" as an album which should be a welcome addition on any Japanese City Pop fan's shelves.