矢野顕子* – Japanese Girl = 日本少女

With an average dynamic range of DR9, the sound is just acceptable to me. Not as good as the TKCA-70371 rip floating around.
The SHM-CD has a fatiguing EQ choice for my taste but I won't say it's terrible, it is just acceptable. It just has a stronger mid-range vocal presence and lesser low-end than the aforementioned 70371 release. I would say that is is not as warm and drum hits sometimes end up sounding weak for my taste. The SHM-CD does have better details in the highs though, vocals and cymbals sound better there.
The issues of the lower dynamic range through compression and whatnot is especially prominent in the ending of the first track where the instrumentation gets more complicated and the sound ends up getting cluttered, but for normal ages it is acceptable.

Comparing this to the 1976 JP first pressing, I would actually give the nod to this 2019 remaster.

The original sounds slightly dull at times, and this remaster brings a bit more space and attack to the record. The 2019 does sound like a digital remaster, bringing a sense of brightness, but I find it helps to wake the album up a bit

It sounds just like you're listening to the reel to reel they were using to record it. Sounds amazing.

Akiko Yano's Japanese Girl (1976) is a remarkable debut album that showcases her innovative approach to music, blending traditional Japanese sounds with Western influences. Akiko Yano is known for her unique voice, imaginative compositions, and her extraordinary skills as a pianist. Japanese Girl is a reflection of her eclectic style and boundary-pushing artistry.

Released when Akiko Yano was just 21, Japanese Girl came out during a period of great experimentation in the Japanese music scene. Yano, who had studied jazz and classical piano, was not content to follow conventional paths. Instead, she created a unique fusion of genres, incorporating elements of jazz, pop, folk, and traditional Japanese music. The album is a fascinating blend of cultures, and it's often regarded as a groundbreaking work in Japanese pop and avant-garde music.

Notably, the album features contributions from some of the best session musicians of the time, including the legendary American rock band Little Feat, who provided a distinctive sound to the tracks recorded in Los Angeles. The rest of the album was recorded in Japan with Japanese musicians, creating a contrast between Western and Eastern influences.

Japanese Girl is characterized by its wide-ranging styles and imaginative arrangements. Akiko Yano’s voice is playful yet emotive, and her piano work is both intricate and bold. The album's songs range from pop-oriented tracks to experimental pieces, with rich, colorful instrumentation.

One of the standout tracks, "津軽ツアー (Tsugaru Tour)," is a modern take on the traditional folk music of the Tsugaru region in northern Japan. Yano weaves the sound of the shamisen (a traditional Japanese string instrument) into a complex arrangement that combines Western rock elements with Japanese folk music, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and forward-looking.

Another notable track is the opening song, "クマ (Kuma)," which demonstrates Yano's playful spirit and her ability to blend quirky, childlike melodies with sophisticated musical arrangements. The song’s title, meaning "bear," reflects the whimsical and inventive nature of her lyrics and style.

Japanese Girl reflects themes of identity, cultural fusion, and personal expression. The album's title hints at Yano's exploration of her own Japanese identity while embracing Western music styles, resulting in a work that is both deeply personal and universal.

The album was well-received in Japan and established Yano as a rising star. Over time, it has gained a reputation as a classic, both for its originality and for its influence on future generations of Japanese artists. Its bold blending of genres, inventive use of traditional sounds, and Akiko Yano's unique vision have made it a seminal work in the history of Japanese music.

Akiko Yano's Japanese Girl has had a lasting impact on Japanese music and culture. Her fearlessness in blending different musical traditions laid the groundwork for many artists who followed. Throughout her career, Yano has continued to experiment with genres and collaborate with musicians from around the world, but Japanese Girl remains a defining moment in her career, capturing the essence of her early creative spirit.

The album is beloved not only for its adventurous sound but also for Yano’s unique voice in Japanese music—one that embraces both tradition and modernity, playfulness and depth. Japanese Girl is an essential listen for anyone interested in the intersection of Japanese and Western music, and it stands as a testament to Akiko Yano's enduring creativity.

Just a perfect-sounding record. Both in of the music and the pressing quality, this is a gem

I was not prepared for how good this was the first time I heard it.

Incredible album, excellent work by Akiko Yano, who recorded this album with 21 years old. Of sure was very influential for synthpop and pop to come in the coming years. All songs are good and complete each other during the album execution.

With hard synths in some tracks, this is one of my favorite albums so far, mixing jazz, synthpop, pop and the large oriental culture (shamisen, flute and etc).

Nice sounding pressing, but why would you do a tip on sleeve and include such a crummy inner disc sleeve? It took forever to get the disc clean and I could see used copies being damaged by the inner.