Haruomi Hosono

I'd highly recommend Hosono's Monad Box, a collection of three of his instrumental and ambient records from the early 80s. My favourite of the discs included is Coincidental Music, which is short pieces made for advertising and promotional films. Sort of electronic Satie. Rather more delicate and strange than Sakamoto's work of the period.

Hosono's best solo song album is S-F-X, a Fairlight-heavy opus from 1984. There's a clip of one track here. And here are some pictures of Hosono, who's now a bit fatter, plays in Sketch Show, and runs the Daisyworld label.

Unfortunately, getting any of this in the US is near impossible. the only other thing i've managed to track down (through dusty groove) was this bizarre early 80's record that he was apparently only partially involved with, which was a strange "top of the pops" sort of medley of about 15 60's-70's pop/disco standards and a few mediocre jazz-fusion originals.

'More delicate and strange' than early 80's Sakamoto is quite a teaser. Sakamoto's B-2 Unit and Esperanto are already fairly strange (if not delicate) records, but those were the odd ones out.

I agree with Momus--Miharu Koshi is one of the greatest, most underrated Japanese artists of the '80s. She evolved from an insiginifant pop idol in the late '70s to a completely original synth-pop artist. Since the late '80s she's become a bit too idiosyncratic for my tastes ('Chanson Solaire' from '95 is probably her best from that era), but her albums are still beautifuI and I have the highest respect for her. She's due for a new album soon. I think 'Boy Soprano' from '85 is her best album--a perfect combination of her early synth-pop work and later chanson stuff. Unfortunately, her stuff is very hard to find, even in Japan. Her albums pop up on ebay, but they're always quite expensive. 'Boy Soprano' is probably the easiest to find.

One of my favorite Hosono-related bands is Chakra. They put out only three albums in the early '80s, and Hosono produced their second. They're all utterly essential exotic pop albums. Makoto Yano (Akiko Yano's first husband) produced their first album. The singer, Mishio Ogawa, put out four solo albums too, and they're also essential (especially her s/t). The last three were just reissued a few weeks ago actually, and I had never heard them beforehand. So I'm excited about those...they're very good.

Now that I'm talking about Japanese synth-pop, I'll make a few more recommendations. I recently discovered Taeko Onuki (or Ohnuki) and am completely in love. She started in the mid '70s, making more fusion-oriented pop albums, and then she teamed up with Ryuichi Sakamoto in the late '70s and started churning out one amazing pop album after the next. 'Adventure' (1981) is probably my favorite, but I have a lot that I've yet to hear!

Moon Riders are another of my favorites. They've been around since the '70s as well and, in my opinion, reached their peak in the early '80s with 'Mania Maniera' and 'Tokyo wa...'. They've spanned a lot of different style, but never put out a bad album.

Perhaps my favorite is Masami Tsuchiya's 'Rice Music' album (1982) and his follwing Ippu-Do album 'Night Mirage' (1983). Members of the band Japan assist on those two albums, as well as the fretless great Percy Jones. Bowie-esque vocals, experimental, angular guitar work (plus Bill Nelson doing his e-bow thing), completely out of control bass playing, steel drums, layers of synths, etc. Basically it's a hilariously awesome rhythm section with great songs too. I couldn't recommend these two albums more. It's too bad that 'Night Mirage' was never released on CD and 'Rice Music' is impossible to find on CD.....

Oh, and P-Model is another synth-pop great.

http://park10.wakwak.com/~techno/

http://www.artcontext.com/music/artskool/jem

That second one appears to be currently down for some reason....

I love Wha-ha-ha

Also, apparently Mishio was in Killing Time, so I need to check her out.

Yes, I've been looking for Killing Time for a long time. Please let me know if you get a hold of their stuff.

http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/smdr/sms/img/goods/L/KICS-1139.jpg

Patrick; Dleone's correct about the ReR connection, I grew up as a Recommended Records fanboy, buying anything they'd put out... Though I didn't finally hear Wha-Ha-Ha until researching backwards from the first Haniwa All-Stars record, which blew my mind in the early 90's. My interest in Senba's early Haniwa records & Wha-Ha-Ha is precisely because they're so eccentric & hard to figure out. I don't imagine they're particularly representative of early 80's JPop.

the yesasia site is listing this album in hosono searches, the title is killing me... have you heard it?

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=FHCF-2344

The easiest way for me to get this stuff to you is through Soulseek. My name on their is Magazine, so message me if you use that program. The only other way I can think of is YSI, which will take a little while (though it's not too much trouble really).

B'angelo has some requests too. Whatever you guys request, I'll get it to you some time this weekend (or now if you have slsk).

Cochin Moon, way closer to mid-70's Cluster than I would have ever expected (though I do prefer Cluster). A surprise, even given Dominque's Tangerine Dream reference -- definitely in the 70's trance/synth records pantheon.

Bon Voyage & Tropical Dandy much more tin-pan-alley than electronic, but Paraiso is off-kilter, lays the way out for the first YMO. Omni Sight Seeing, thumbs up if you like late YMO. I like Hosono's solo mainstream pop records much more than Sakamoto's, no contest.

Miharu Koshi's Boy Soprano, wow.

And the Mishio Ogawa & Chakra stuff is eye-opening after a lifetime of Haniwa fandom. Chakra's much more straightforward / less quirky, but I'm very happy just to be able to place Haniwa in context with, well, _anything_.

Boy Soprano, the Mishio Ogawa debut, & Cochin Moon are the three I ordered online after hearing the mp3's.

Am I correct that this has Sakamoto on it?

I dunno though... even though his pop is weirder than Sakamoto's, Sakamoto's pure experimental albums (B-2 Unit & Esperanto) are 1000% more bizarre and advanced than Hosono's, those albums are timeless.

http://us.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx/pid-1004088657/code-j/section-videos/

(this should probably go on the noise board's wha-ha-ha thread but too late)

Kiyohiko Senba and his Haniwa All Stars

BTW, what exactly did Andy Partridge do on B-2 Unit?

I dunno Matthew, you heard Esperanto?

You mean that electric guitar in the right-channel that's barely audible and sounds as if it's unplugged? If so, that's...odd.

I dunno Matthew, you heard Esperanto?

Most of it — I just re-listened again this morning (have about 6 tracks downloaded). Assuming they aren't remixes, I'd say it's good but no B-2 Unit — lots mallet-y textures and ambience. But if you think I'm missing something, maybe I should re-download to verify that I'm listening to the right tracks.

ha, I first heard it with "members of the Vas Deferens Organization" too. My member was Eric

news you can use: japanese CDs are too damned expensive

I am beginning to miss the days when people were relatively certain they were talking about the same record. A few days ago at a dinner party someone put on something interesting, and when I asked what it was he said it was the new Boards of Canada. He didn't believe me when I told him that it wasn't, he just brought over to his iPod to show me the tags.

I put on Omni Sight Seeing last night, that is definitely my favorite Hosono pop album, every song...

And I first read that as "tripping on acid with members of Van Der Graaf Generator.

I am beginning to miss the days when people were relatively certain they were talking about the same record.

No kidding — but I think Dom's "news you can use" is the culprit in this instance. And actually, that's one of the 2 tracks I don't have. Still, p2p's are great for finding rarities...

Is there a good Hosono comp, btw?

I had both Matt and Eric in the room, with running commentary and interpretive facial expressions. THAT is a proper introduction to Cochin Moon, let me tell you.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d5/b1/ab/d5b1abde40634df42380ca11f93a154f.jpg

Happy birthday, Mr. Hosono!

How are those remixes frogbs?

I thought the second CD was more cues and variations on the title, no?

I do love the Pleocene adapted theme too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdybb52ejd8

caught one of the NYC shows a month or two ago. I'm not a huge fan of the boogie woogie stuff, but I must say, he really sold it live. total pros, great vibe. and akiko yano came out for one of the encores! that ruled.

second disc is basically alternate versions of most of the album's themes - faster tempos, different instruments, stuff like that. one of them is a take on "Birdoj" from Endless Talking which confirms my suspicion that it was written for the soundtrack. the last 4 tracks are previously unheard compositions I think, one of which has a choir. last track is sort of a disco thing, it's hilariously weird

you can get Cochin Moon on LP for the relatively low price of $22 + shipping, this thing will probably sound incredible on my hi-fi

all I need is Omni Sight Seeing now and I'll be happy

Just picked up the Seaside Lovers album which was mentioned on here a couple of months ago. Such a gorgeous sound.

I've been going back to the Pacific Breeze compilation a lot. My only (very old school) complaint is that it doesn't come with a download code. I'd like to have it on my iTunes as that's still what I use when I'm out and about. Light In The Attic could have thrown one in as it's not like the record was exactly cheap!

If you love Seaside Lovers (which is perfect), do try and track down the whole series, there were six SIR albums (easy to find on youtube):

Sound Image Series:

[1978.06.21] Pacific
[1978.11.21] NEW YORK
[1979.06.01] the AEGEAN SEA (エーゲ海)
[1983.xx.xx] ISLAND MUSIC
[1983.xx.xx] OFF SHORE
[1983.05.21] SEASIDE LOVERS 〜 MEMORIES IN BEACH HOUSE

KM - have you heard The Endless Talking & Coincidental Music yet? it just occurred to me that anyone fascinated by the Muji in-store tape should check out both those albums immediately.

no, and no! i know nothing about them! if it's anything like the Muji tape, it would make for excellent working music. I will seek them out today.

I owe you $1 million bux for all YMO-related tips through the years, thank you

the cover of The Endless Talking looks like joan miro, nice

I have PayPal, you know

do you accept space bux?

title track on Endless Talking is what "Talking" was based on

Coincidental Music also has this take on it (different melody but still similar)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT3fFBe-SpE

that said it's "Memphis, Milano" which is probably my favorite here, which I think was also designed as shopping music

and yeah send me your space wallet code

There's going to be a documentary about Hosono called "No Smoking" to be released in Japan (I think) in November.
Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqD73BPJm7g&feature=youtu.be

No idea where/when/how we'll see this outside of Japan - if there's any chance it would surely be through Light In The Attic I guess, but unlike the Sakamoto doc a couple of years ago I guess his profile still isn't high enough outside of Japan for an international release?

Still haven't seen the Sakamoto doc or its companion "Live At The Armory"(? I think) film. Did they ever make it to home viewing/streaming in the US?

this setlist O.o

Day1「細野さんを歌おう！」みんな集まりました！#細野さん50 pic.twitter.com/EqZtrP6ISC

— 細野さん みんな集まりました！ (@Hosonosan50) October 11, 2019

Fucking hell!

OMG!

whoa, UA! awesome.

man, hope somebody recorded these...

can we talk about how amazing Omni Sight Seeing is for a minute? had a close listen to it last night and now I think it's one of my very favorites of his. I'm trying to piece together what exactly the overarching theme to all this is, it's the one Hosono disc that doesn't seem to follow a particular theme but there does seem to be an attempt at interpreting music from all over the globe and molding it into a strange little Hosono cube. his lyrics tend to be difficult to understand sometimes which obscures what a crazy trip they can be. Here's Orgone Box:

Cloudy!
Make'm go away
Cloudy!
Let Organe clarify
Looming cloud, feeling sad...
At time like this the plague spreads when Mammom comes
Must gotta go
Gaia quivers
the Earth quakes
You can't win, you must lose
and there's no way out of the game
Orgone is a visible, measurable
and applicable energy of a cosmic nature, douzo....
C..CL..LLOOU...DDDY...
the cloud of words
CLOU...LLOOU..DDY
Let Organe clarify
If we do not expect the unexpected, we will never find it...

What ??!?

It *is* amazing and enigmatic!

Pretty straightforward once you get to know about Wilhelm Reich:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgone

There’s another (rather more famous) song inspired by the same subject matter:

https://youtu.be/pllRW9wETzw

man there is nothing straightforward about that article

though lmao @ that Mark Mothersbaugh quote

Haruomi Hosono at home just vibing pic.twitter.com/jCalV6NveH

— NTS Radio (@NTSlive) March 25, 2020

O.M.G. <3333

(it suuuuucks that in this day and age a thread bump like this made me think "oh no, plz no corona")

haha, what a prince

I love that clip so much, it's been pinging around the net for a while, when he does the taiso knee raises it cracks me up.

No end to my love for him. He's the embodiment of people who figured out how to live imo.

yesssss

he leads by example

Nice!

Amazing!

over the last 2 months I have listened to every single Haruomi Hosono album. his catalogue is all over the place and it's not all great but the dude really is on a completely different planet. he has this strange rhythmic sense that you can pick out right away.

any new finds from your listening spree?

frogbs, would totally be into a post about your perspective on HH's catalogue.

^^ Seconded!

it's good!

*reviews post*

it checks out! :D

obviously I got a lot of scattered thoughts about the man's work, I think he's fairly unique in the way he'll completely latch onto one style for 4-5 years and then just never do anything like it again. maybe Bowie did this, but his catalogue is way more linear than Hosono's is. I break it down like this:

The Early Stuff - including as a member of Apryl Fool (maybe not worth listening to) and Happy End (which definitely is). his first solo album is fine and I am pretty sure one of the only things to come out of Japan in the early 70's that sounded quite like that, but I never found it all that interesting.

The Exotica Period - starting with Tropical Dandy, with each record getting weirder and more electronic up to Paraiso. I think his unique brand of humor starts to show itself here. These records aren't exactly meant to be taken seriously but they're fascinating. Paraiso as I've probably said before is one of my favorite albums ever. Obviously it was a launching point for YMO.

Cochin Moon - there's nothing like this album out there anywhere, even in Hosono's own catalogue. but you can hear his trademark rhythms start to show themselves. sometimes people point to this as a pre-YMO album but none of YMO's stuff really sounds like this (maybe "Hepatitis" could've landed on the self-titled).

The YMO period - from '79 to '83 everything he touches is gold. not just the YMO stuff (including "Gradated Gray" which is my alltime favorite YMO track) but also his solo and collaborative material. only one solo album but he wrote a boatland of stuff for other artists. you almost have to consider those three Miharu Koshi albums Hosono works as well, his fingerprints are all over them. part of the first two Jun Togawa albums too. lots of stuff on those YEN records comps, including a bunch I've probably never heard. Yukihiro Takahashi was also just killin' it during this period.

Non-Standard - for a few years he started releasing hip-hop/electrofunk records, mostly under the "F.O.E. (Friends of Earth)" name. S-F-X is a pretty decent album (particularly "Body Snatchers", which is wild) and the FOE stuff is entertaining, if not particularly great. his cover of Dr. John's "Right Place, Wrong Time" shows his ability to transform any tune into a weird Hosono thing.

Monad - this stuff overlaps with the Non-Standard material, including about half of the S-F-X record. the 5 albums he did in 1985 (Mercurial Dance, Pacific View, Nokto De La Galaskia Fervojo, The Endless Talking, and Coincidental Music) all form a set to my ears. you can include that weird ass "Watering a Flower" tape in there as well. while not all of this is great he really did tap into something ethereal and otherworldly here. I don't know if anyone else was able to make their synthesizers sound as evocative and strange as he did in that period. Some of the music on Endless Talking is downright freaky. That said it's the Nokto De La Galaskia Fervojo soundtrack that's my favorite, "La Gojo" & "La travida malgojo de Giovanni" are two of the prettiest pieces of music I've ever heard in my life

Omni Sight Seeing - I see this 1989 album as sort of a capper to all his 80's stuff, something that attempts to fit everything he'd done in the last few years into a single studio album. It's really incredible, easily one of his very best...unfortunately it's kind of the last real great Hosono solo LP. When I went through his entire catalogue this one stuck out as being the only Hosono album was wasn't really based on a particular theme. Unless you consider astral projection a theme.

The Techno 90's - somewhat based off "Laugh-Gas" from Omni Sight Seeing, Hosono did a handful of electronica records in the 90s, sorta similar to his Monad period. he's using more modern equipment and basing a lot of his stuff off Detroit techno & The Orb, so as a result these records don't quite sound as unique. Medicine Comp & Good Sport are both pretty good, NDE I like but it's missing a layer of melody. There's also an album he did with Bill Laswell which I don't remember much about

Various 90's collabs - including Swing Slow & the criminally unknown Love, Peace, & Trance album, which actually does justice to the cosmic meditative New Age genre that was weirdly popular then. both those albums are better than his actual solo LPs from this time.

Reconnecting with old friends - you could also count Swing Slow here, plus the 2000 Tin Pan album (which is pretty cool, it's half a 'new album' by Tin Pan Alley, half fleshing out old demos). the big thing here is Sketch Show/HASYMO, a partial YMO reunion with Takahashi. I like both those albums. Loophole in particular is special, though I suspect Takahashi was responsible for most of it. That Flying Saucer 1947 album probably fits in here too. His solo career is kind of defunct by this point, it wasn't until 2010 that he recorded under his own name again.

The folk covers of very old pop songs phase - from 2011 until now, I guess. Never connected a whole lot with this stuff even though it's quite pleasant. That said, Vu Ja De is very much worth seeking out, particularly the odds n ends on disc 2. Apparently the Fukushima disaster made him too depressed to record new music, so I see this stuff as being therapeutic in a sense. Of course by this point he's earned the right to do whatever he wants.

! :)

i still haven't given omni sight seeing a listen. at this point i'm kind of saving it for a rainy day because i expect i'll like it quite a bit.

the Swing Slow album is great. it's a little uneven but has a few great songs.

Cochin Moon is my favorite, though. i've been listening to quite a bit of earlier Kraftwerk in the wake of Florian's death, and there are a lot of similarities between Cochin Moon and Kraftwerk's early 70s music, especially on Hepatitis and Hum Ghar Sajan. there's a lovely warm playfulness that pulses through all of it, i love it

at the risk of sounding like a total snob I have the vinyl reissue (which is actually fairly cheap, considering) - that plus some big tower speakers and a little grass is the way to hear it

you mean for cochin moon? yeah, i'm keeping my eyes peeled for a reasonably priced copy to show up sometime, but in the meantime it sounds good on headphones and spotify, plus 420 forever obviously.

https://lightintheattic.net/artists/2475-haruomi-hosono

LP is now $18. which is very cheap for Hosono. I haven't been able to get anything else for under $40, outside of Hosono House which I'm not too interested in. there's a very cool 'making of' story in the sleeve.

whoa nice, thanks for the head's up! i will probably pick up Cochin Moon right now then. and yeah, hosono house is also down to $18 but it's not one of my faves

speaking as a techno loving degenerate the medicine comp is my favorite release of his. I don’t think the straighter beats and structures necessarily make it less unique, it’s still very much Hosono. it hits a propulsive hypnotic vibe that resonates with me a bit more than the rest of his catalog, much of which I also really enjoy (NDE is similarly propulsive and also amazing but does indeed focus more squarely on drums)

just finished listening to the LITA reissue, which arrived at my door this morning. :)

i love the interview they included! i'll excerpt a few parts of it here in a bit

ooh, I have Cochin Moon coming in the mail. excited.

https://www.nts.live/shows/haruomi-hosono