It has been decided that two unique masterpieces by Aki Yashiro will be released on vinyl for the first time on Record Day (November 3rd). Both works are ambitious works that incorporate jazz, R&B, and hip hop, and are masterpieces that can be said to represent the vocalist Aki Yashiro’s true character. The decision to release them on vinyl was made in response to strong requests from fans who wanted them to be released on vinyl.
Aki Yashiro, who made a great contribution to the Japanese enka and pop music world as the “Queen of Enka” and was loved by many people,
At the same time, as if rediscovering his roots in nightclubs, he has actively explored genres other than enka, such as jazz and blues. His jazz album “Yoru no Album,” produced by Konishi Yasuharu and released in 2012, and his blues album “Aiuka,” produced by Teraoka Yuhito and released in 2015, attracted a great deal of attention.
“Aki Yashiro and the Lovely Gentlemen’s Concert LIVE IN QUEST” was released in 1998 and is a recording of Aki Yashiro’s first live jazz performance. It is a work that can be said to be the start of “Yashiro Jazz”, in which she sings jazz standards and representative songs such as “Funauta”, “Ame no Boujou” and “Ai no Shukuseki” with a light swing to the accompaniment of Japanese jazz legends such as Eiji Kitamura (clarinet), Yuzuru Sera (piano), George Kawaguchi (drums), Takashi Mizuhashi (bass) and her own band 846. On the other hand, “MOOD” was released in 2001 and is a unique work in her career, featuring original compositions by Yoshitaka Minami, Taeko Onuki, Yoshiyuki Osawa, and others, as well as arrangements of “Funauta” and “Fly Me To The Moon” incorporating elements of R&B, jazz, and hip hop. This is a masterpiece that you should listen to now, highlighting Aki Yashiro’s soulful and delicate singing voice and her deep interpretation of the music.
Aki Yashiro’s first jazz albums released on vinyl: two works released simultaneously
Released on November 3rd
“Aki Yashiro and the Wonderful Gentlemen’s Concert LIVE IN QUEST”
COJA-2523-2524 ￥6,600 (tax included)[LP work, 2-disc set]
(Original release: 1998)
SIDE A 33 1/3 rpm
1. Opening – Raindrops – (Instrumental)
2. Rainy Days
3. Sing Sing Sing (Instrumental)
4. What A Little Moonlight Can Do – Moon’s Prank
SIDE B 33 1/3 rpm
1. East Of The Sun
2. You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To
3. Cry Me A River
SIDE C 33 1/3 rpm
1. Tearful Love
2. Mr. Something Blue
3. The Moon Over the Ruined Castle
4. Boat Song
SIDE D 33 1/3 rpm
1. Bei Mir Bist Du Schon – You are wonderful –
2. The Last Destination of Love
3. Daffodil flower
4. Honestly
“MOOD”
COJA-9525-9526 ￥6,600 (tax included)[LP work, 2-disc set]
(Original release: 2001)
SIDE A 33 1/3 rpm
1. I want to believe in love
2. In the Starlight
3. Fly Me To The Moon
SIDE B 33 1/3 rpm
1. Great tasting water
2. FUSIGI
3. You and Me
4. Unchained Melody
SIDE C 33 1/3 rpm
1. Boat Song
2. Sweet Love
3. My 30s Love ~Love makes me happy even when I’m alone~
SIDE D 33 1/3 rpm
1. Don’t Cry
2. A Morning of Rebirth
3. Aki’s Holy Night
