HIROSHI SATO 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Japanese keys wizard Hiroshi Sato recorded many albums across his career, bringing the vibrant sound of synthesis into earshot with his earliest albums in the late 70s. Orient was his third solo album, released in 1979 on Kitty Records in a pitch-perfect daydream of AOR goodness. Tracks like 'Son Goku' sum up the persistent appeal of Sato's music, fusing the smoothest compositions with some playful sound design approaches, which show he was having fun with the studio gear beyond writing exquisite melodies. Elsewhere, he had fun going into full freak mode with the madcap ear candy of 'Donkama'. If you can't get enough of that era of Japanese synth pop, this reissue is an absolute must.

Review: Japan's Hiroshi Sato is well known to record obsessives who value his ability to craft pure musical nostalgia for a place you haven't even been to, He has turnabout tens of essential records, many of which are in the process of being reissued right now. His masterful jazz-funk classic Orient is one of his best known works from 1979 but All Of Me is another classic. It came much later in 1995 and is a killer pop record with glistening synths, infectious drum programming and contributions from a number of guests.

Review: Japanese keyboardist Hiroshi Sat is by now a cult figure among record collectors. His masterful jazz-funk classic Orient from 1979 might be his most well known but Time is no less essential. This limited edition reissue backs that up in case you needed reminding. It starts with glowing keys and chords and goes on a journey through sentimental piano ballads, weird country-tinged tropical jams like 'Choit' and downtempo funk in the form of 'Yamate Hotel.' Elsewhere 'Akanegumo No Machi' casts off to an ocean island and 'Kage Ni Mukatte' is star gazing AOR.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record ever so slightly warped with creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


In recent years, demand for vinyl copies of Japanese keyboardist Hiroshi Sato's 1979 jazz-funk classic Orient has rocketed. Given that few have the means to pay several hundred pounds for an original copy, this reissue - the first vinyl edition in 39 years - is more than welcome. It remains a delightful set, full of fluid and ear-pleasing tracks that variously doff a cap to disco, Brazilian boogie, classic jazz-funk, low slung early electrofunk and the kind of woozy, laid-back soundscapes more associated with early '80s New Age and ambient sets. Naturally, Sato's playing takes centre stage throughout, but the standard of the musicianship elsewhere is incredibly impressive, too. Shigeru Suzuki's guitar playing, in particular, stands out.

Review: In recent years, demand for vinyl copies of Japanese keyboardist Hiroshi Sato's 1979 jazz-funk classic Orient has rocketed. Given that few have the means to pay several hundred pounds for an original copy, this reissue - the first vinyl edition in 39 years - is more than welcome. It remains a delightful set, full of fluid and ear-pleasing tracks that variously doff a cap to disco, Brazilian boogie, classic jazz-funk, low slung early electrofunk and the kind of woozy, laid-back soundscapes more associated with early '80s New Age and ambient sets. Naturally, Sato's playing takes centre stage throughout, but the standard of the musicianship elsewhere is incredibly impressive, too. Shigeru Suzuki's guitar playing, in particular, stands out.

Review: In recent years, demand for copies of Japanese keyboardist Hiroshi Sato's 1979 jazz-funk classic Orient has rocketed. Given that few have the means to pay several hundred pounds for an original vinyl copy, this reissue - the first on CD outside of Japan - is more than welcome. It remains a delightful set, full of fluid and ear-pleasing tracks that variously doff a cap to disco, Brazilian boogie, classic jazz-funk, low slung early electrofunk and the kind of woozy, laid-back soundscapes more associated with early '80s New Age and ambient sets. Naturally, Sato's playing takes centre stage throughout, but the standard of the musicianship elsewhere is incredibly impressive, too. Shigeru Suzuki's guitar playing, in particular, stands out.