Junko Yagami: Sugao no Watashi (1979) Original

Description

A soft glow of late-70s Tokyo, 素顔の私 captures Junko Yagami moving from intimate balladry to sleek AOR glide. The record opens with the tender “バースデイ・ソング,” then slips into buoyant pop on “明日に向かって行け,” before the needle lands on her signature, “みずいろの雨,” all shimmering strings, Rhodes cushions, and a melody that lingers like night air. Across the set the players are impeccable, with Yukihiro Takahashi’s crisp drums, Tsugutoshi Goto’s melodic bass lines, guitar color from Shigeru Suzuki and Masaki Matsubara, and percussion sparkle from Pecker and Nobu Saito. The six-minute “夜間飛行” stretches into city lights, while “そっと後から” nods toward West Coast harmony. Pressed by Discomate in 1979, this clean first issue with obi showcases quiet Japanese vinyl and full, balanced mastering that flatters Yagami’s clear, steady voice. A cornerstone of her early catalog, and a graceful bridge between Kayō and what we now call city pop.