Cafe Tokyo

The music on this compilation comes from a time long before the modern J Pop behemoth. In the early 50s, the music brought by occupying forces was embraced by the country’s youth. At the military clubs which opened up throughout the country, Japanese artists learned to play the popular American styles, such as jazz, country, mambo, and rock’n’roll. They later developed into a hybrid style known as kayōkyoku, which fused western rhythms and melodies together with traditional folkloric themes and vibrato vocal techniques peculiar to the indigenous strain of music called min’yō. Enchanted by the west, but with one eye always on its own traditions, the music on this compilation presents an entertainingly vivid snapshot of Japan in the mid-20th century. So grab a kohii (coffee) – or sake should you be so inclined, and dive in.

CD 1:

1. Danchone-Bushi – Chiemi Eri

2. Nangoku Tosa O Atonishite – Peggy Hayama

3. Brown Leaves – Hiroshi Mizuhara

4. Kusatsu Bushi – The Tokyo Cuban Boys

5. Oranda Yashiki No Hana – The Japanese Modernaires Orchestra And Singers

6. Hanagasa-Odori – Chiemi Eri

7. Kuroda Bushi – The Tokyo Cuban Boys

8. Yunta Koishiya Natsukashiya – Peggy Hayama

9. Musume Sendo-San – The Japanese Modernaires Orchestra And Singers

10. Lullaby Of The Birds – Hikari Saotome

11. Otomi-San – The Japanese Modernaires Orchestra And Singers

12. Yosakoi Shigure – Peggy Hayama

13. Fukagawa Kuzushi – Chiemi Eri

14. Okosa Bushi – The Tokyo Cuban Boys

15. Farewell To Tokyo – Keiko Matsuyama

16. Yu-hi Wa Haruka – The Japanese Modernaires Orchestra And Singers

17. Konpira Fune Fune – Chiemi Eri

18. Jhougashima No Ame – Peggy Hayama

CD 2:

1. Sangai-Bushi – The Tokyo Cuban Boys

2. Ringo Mura Kara – The Japanese Modernaires Orchestra And Singers

3. Shimabara Cihou Komoriuta – Peggy Hayama

4. Black Flower Petal – Hiroshi Mizuhara

5. Shinonome-Bushi – Chiemi Eri

6. Ringo Oiwake – The Japanese Modernaires Orchestra And Singers

7. Inori O Anata Ni – Peggy Hayama

8. Sanosa – The Tokyo Cuban Boys

9. Hakone Hachiri – Chiemi Eri

10. The Nikko Folksong – Hikari Saotome

11. Ina No Koi-Uta – The Japanese Modernaires Orchestra And Singers

12. Asadoya Yunta – The Tokyo Cuban Boys

13. Cigarette Blues – Kiyoshi Sakazume

14. Yakko-San – Chiemi Eri

15. Ringo No Hana Wa Saita Kedo – The Japanese Modernaires Orchestra And Singers

16. Tsume – Peggy Hayama

17. Okosa-Bushi – Chiemi Eri

18. Hibari No Madorosu-San – The Japanese Modernaires Orchestra And Singers