Customer Reviews

Nippon Girls: Japanese Pop, Beat & Bossa Nova 1966-1970

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best sixties girl singer compilations I've ever heard, (and I own a lot) hand picked by Cha Cha Charming's own Sheila Burgel. This stuff is super groovy though it covers a wide range of styles. Only a couple tracks are in the Bossa Nova vein, most of them are uptempo and very mod girl singer raveups. There's fuzz guitar, there's a track by Emy Jackson "Tenshi No Itazura" that even has a bit of Les Yper Sound to it. My favorite is probably "Black Room" by Jun Mayuzumi" which is absolutely electric. "Sharock No. 1" by Mie Nakao contrasts heavy fuzz guitars against sassy girl vocals (drenched in reverb). If you're a fan of the recent spate of Pinky Violence movies (Japanese early 70s exploitation) "Taiyou Na Waite Iru" sounds very similar to the haunting theme songs of films like "Stray Cat Rock." Some tracks emulate bouncy French Ye-Ye, others are more in the style of sixties soul, some play like some go-go interlude from Shindig. But every song has something distinctive and interesting to recommend it.

Great pictures and notes in the interior by Sheila.

This is what a great compilation should do: introduce you to an entirely new world of fantastic music.

Highest recommendation.

David Smay, co-editor of Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth and Lost in the Grooves: Scram's Capricious Guide to the Music You Missed.

This CD is a rock-out party music CD that pretty much everyone I know loves. The lyrics, all in Japanese, all pretty much say that they love whomever. The important aspect is how great the beat, instrumentation, melodies, and cheesy pep sound together. This will put a skip in your step and blow away all those sad stereotypes about Japanese music.

Wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but have been pleasantly surprised by the tunes on this compilation. If you have an interest in Asian pop from this era, pick it up.

This CD NIPPON GIRLS is really hip and cool with that funky 1960's sound. I am very glad I bought it, as it has expanded my musical palate and I have immensely enjoyed this CD and playing it over and over again. Even the bright asian red CD cover grabs your attention with the young Nippon girl on the cover wearing the big white go-go boots, and the songs will too. One of the catchy songs was sung by the JGirls and was in the movie BLOW starring famous Hollywood actor Johnny Depp. Several more of these tracks should have been used in the movie because it has that groovy go-go lounge sound and many of the songs use a horn section with trumpets and trombones to accentuate the 1960's swinging beat decade. The songs are cleverly written w/that classic 1960's kitsch, and the songs even sound in a strange way "modern" since they are well written, played, rehearsed and performed. Keep in mind that these hot Japanese go-go girls were the hits of their time all over the Japanese mainland and this CD is absolutely "the asian persuasion". I definitely recommend it as you WILL enjoy it!! Groovy baby yeah! - VON LARS