I mentioned in my most recent article on singer-songwriter Miki Hyodo（兵藤未来）that I've enjoyed her City Pop/J-AOR stuff because of her approach. Well, this time around, I wouldn't really consider this particular song of hers as an example of either genre, but it's still pretty catchy.
What I'm writing about is the track "Melancolie Jungle" from her 1979 album "Hyodo Miki". From the title of the song, which was written and composed by her, there is that certain Gallic joie de vivre as Hyodo sounds as if she were musically skipping down the Champs-Elysees (I don't think that the Champs-Elysees would have any jungle-like areas but then perhaps some of you who have been to Paris can either confirm or deny this). Nope, neither City Pop nor AOR, I'd probably peg this one as New Music with a hint of jazz.
It is a bit disappointing that Miki Hyodo never seemed to achieve the commercial fame of artists like Yumi Matsutoya or Taeko Ohnuki when their albums have just as high-quality output, even if it is a little or a lot different. Now, as for today's song, the title itself—using the French spelling Melancolie—suggests an atmosphere of exotic longing rather than literal sadness since both France and French speakers worldwide (in places like Québec) are characterised by joy and happiness. And, rather than being a straightforward jazz song this song is probably better described as jazz-pop fusion with a tiny bit or pinch of country music.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can agree with your assessment which is why I put in the New Music tag as well.
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