The end of the 20th century in terms of Japanese popular music seemed to be a time when J-R&B was really pushing out with hip-hop and rap and club music while at the same time, the female aidoru scene was coming out of hibernation. Happy days were here again!
However for those who wanted something a little quieter and melodious, perhaps a band like Kuuki Koudan（空気公団...The Air Corporation） might be in order. First formed in 1997, Aomori Prefecture vocalist and songwriter Yukari Yamazaki（山崎ゆかり）got together with guitarist and bassist Yoshiyuki Togawa（戸川由幸）and keyboardist Izumi Ogawa（小山いずみ）with Atsuko Ishii（石井敦子）also joining in a little later as organist/keyboardist.
Their first release was in the form of an album "Kuuki Koudan"（くうきこうだん）and the fourteenth track is "Bokura no Himitsu" (Our Secrets). Despite the title, there isn't anything insidious in Yamazaki's melody and it fits the Kuuki Koudan treatise as stated in their profile on the "Space Shower Music" website in which their music features simple everyday lyrics, carefully arranged performances, warm and calm female vocals, and a beautiful catchy sound centered on pop rock and straight pop music. It's all very breezy and down-to-earth, just like a nice bike ride through the neighbourhood park.
Kuuki Koudan is still going after 25 years and after some lineup changes, it's just Yamazaki now as the band.
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