Atsuko Nina's debut album released by Teichiku in 1983. All songs are covers of Western songs, with 9 songs having Japanese lyrics and only the fifth song having English lyrics. In recent years, its reputation among city pop and Japanese jazz fans has skyrocketed, and it is now at a premium on the used market!
The album features Japanese lyrics for such bossa nova classics as “One Note Samba” “Ipanema no Musume” “Wave” and “Oishii Mizu” as well as American popular tunes like “MR.Bojangles” “Asu ni Kakeru Hashi”. covers of such American favorites as “Xasas Xasas Xasas” and “Besame Mucho”.
Sound production was done by Jun Irie, who was active as a member of Logic System, and arrangements were shared with Hirotaka Izumi, who was also a member of The Square at the time. The Square and guitarist Kenji Kitajima participated in the backing.
The entire album has a high quality city pop and fusion sound, with the overwhelming highlight being the high-speed samba arrangement of "Man or Boy (Ipanema no Musume)”. The most overwhelming track is “Man or Boy (Ipanema no Musume)” with a high-speed samba arrangement. It is a Japanese rare groove track that can be used in today's club jazz scene as it is!
You can enjoy her ever-changing vocals on the innovative and typical fusion sound of the time.
Liner notes: Kenji Kitajima, Hirotaka Izumi (original liner notes of the time are reprinted).
Original release: 1983 Teichiku GM-140
Original label: TEICHIKU ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
