One of the albums I was looking for during my recent trek of Japanese record stores was 黒船 (Kurofune) by Sadistic Mika Band (SMB). This 1974 LP was kind of historic as the album that literally put Japanese rock on the map. It was produced by big-time British engineer Chris Thomas who had previously worked with The Beatles and was fresh out of mixing Dark Side Of The Moon. It was simultaneously released not only in Japan, but UK and US as well, and later reissued a few times on CD. Imagine my surprise when I couldn't locate a copy in any of the maybe 20 shops I visited - or get a spark of recognition from young record store clerks whom I asked about it. I guess the latter shouldn't surprise me as it seems that all the young people follow is happy go lucky girl- or androgynous and moody boy- bands. In any case, I didn't come up empty handed; I got a vinyl version of Live In London, recorded by the original band around the same time as Kurofune when they were playing British dates alongside Roxy Music. And this reunion CD, chosen purely because of its pretty cover and price - I think it cost around JP¥500 (€3) at second-hand shop Disk Union. SMB were initially formed around husband and wife duo Kazuhiko and Mika Katō. They took inspiration from the nascent glam rock movement in UK, as well as The Beatles - the name was a nod to Lennon and Ono's Plastic Ono Band, with the "Sadistic" part inspired by Mika's attitude with knives in the kitchen. The classic lineup also included Yukihiro Takahashi on drums, lead guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka, and bassist Ray Ohara. Their debut caught the ear of Malcolm McLaren, who passed it on to Bryan Ferry, who introduced the band to Roxy Music producer Chris Thomas, who in turn invited them to UK to record an album together. Soon afterwards, the disintegration of Mika and Kazuhiko's wedding spelled the end of the band; Mika had an affair with, and later married, Chris Thomas. After they, too, divorced, she enrolled in a French culinary school and embarked in a career as a high profile pastry chef and sommelier. Kazuhiko continued either solo or in collaboration with other SMB members as The Sadistics, and in 1989 revived the SMB moniker, enrolling singer Karen Kirishima for the female vocal parts. Renowned composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto assists on keyboards. The CD opens with lead single "Boys & Girls". It has an agreeable Talking Heads-like synth funk flavor, but I found it a bit too commercial sounding, not exactly what I expected from an art-rock band. But then I thought what do you expect, this was the late 80's. Even prog giants like Genesis and Yes, not to mention the band's old friends Roxy Music, had turned to synth-heavy pop songs. It was a hit at the time, helped by its use for a Mazda commercial. The following "脳にファイヤー! Brains On Fire!" suffers from the same 80's plastic synth sound, but it's an even better song with a nice chorus and electric guitar solos giving it a more rock'n'roll flavor. "薔薇はプラズマ (Bara Wa Plasma)" is more atmospheric, with Karen's vocals more to the front. She certainly has a sweeter, arguably better, voice than Mika. "賑やかな孤独 (Nigiyaka Na Kodoku)" and "暮れる想い (Kureru Omoi)" are a couple of beautiful melodic numbers. "42℃のピクニック(42 Degrees No Picnic)" is a poppy number with a catchy English chorus. Karen's vocal and Takanaka's tasty electric guitar solos elevate it greatly. "ダシール・ハメット&ポップコーン (Dashiell Hammet & Popcorn)" is disco-fied new wave, followed by another dancey tune called "Un Coco Loco". The percussion, horns, and partly Spanish lyric, give it a Latin tinge."愛と快楽主義者 (Ai To Kairakushugisha)" is a bluesy song reminiscent of 80's Eric Clapton, while the album closes with "7 Days At Last!" - the sparkling clean production does not disguise an underlying sense of darkness - or am I mistaken? The booklet includes Japanese lyrics, but that's not really helpful for me. In the end, despite the dated production, I really liked this CD. Some tracks were too bright and poppy for my taste, but right when you think you're listening to a typical pop new wave album, the admirable musicianship and sense of melody remind you there's something deeper. Sometimes I'm reminded of 80's prog pop experiments by Talk Talk and Marillion. Let's call it a pop album for musically educated adults.
**** for Boys & Girls, 脳にファイヤー！ Brains On Fire!, 賑やかな孤独 (Nigiyaka Na Kodoku), 暮れる想い (Kureru Omoi), 42℃のピクニック(42 Degrees No Picnic), 愛と快楽主義者 (Ai To Kairakushugisha), 7 days At Last!
*** for 薔薇はプラズマ Bara Wa Plasma,ダシール・ハメット&ポップコーン (Dashiell Hammet & Popcorn), Un Coco Loco
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