A seamlessly blended, ultra-cool Acid Jazz City Pop mix packed with ​groovy, jazzy, and funky vibes!

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Why not take a virtual journey through Tokyo’s nightlife with ​an Acid Jazzy City Pop Mix?

"Troubled Fish" is clearly an homage to The Blow Monkeys' ​"Digging Your Scene." It’s a hidden gem from their second ​album, "EBIS," and despite never being released as a single, ​it became a fan favorite. Personally, it’s my favorite track of ​theirs.

"Midnight Lonely Beach Band" is the B-side of ​SHONENTAI’s 1987 sixth single, "Kimidakeni."

"Kimidakeni" is one of SHONENTAI's signature songs, ​having won the Best Artist Award at the Japan Record ​Awards.

While "Kimidakeni" is a sweet, eternal love ballad with a soft ​vocal delivery, "Midnight Lonely Beach Band" offers a ​completely different melody.

It’s an 80s beat-driven sound that still feels fresh today—an ​elegant, upbeat pop track that makes you want to dance.

The intro kicks off with a moody saxophone,

while the cutting guitar smoothly carries the rhythm.

The keyboard adds a sense of flow,

and the harmony of the three members ties it all together.

The arrangement incorporates elements reminiscent of The ​Blow Monkeys’ "Digging Your Scene" and "It Doesn't Have ​to Be This Way."

Kyōhei Tsutsumi’s production truly shines in making this ​track even more mellow than the original.

The saxophone phrase in the intro of this track is a ​reference to "Midnight Lonely Beach Band" by SHONENTAI, ​the group that Kazukiyo Nishikiori himself was part of, ​which in turn references The Blow Monkeys’ "Digging Your ​Scene."

This track oozes SHONENTAI influence, with a clear sense ​of respect from Gota Nishidera towards the group.

At this point, it feels less like an homage to The Blow ​Monkeys and more like a tribute to SHONENTAI.

"Life is Comedy-touch" is a track from The Checkers' ninth ​album, I HAVE A DREAM, released in 1991. Like their ​previous original album, OOPS!, this one does not include ​any singles.

When people think of The Checkers, they often picture their ​early-'80s idol era—dressed in checkered outfits and singing ​hits like Giza Giza Heart no Komoriuta and Julia ni Shoshin. ​However, by 1986, the band had begun writing their own ​songs, producing many timeless classics.

Building on the Acid Jazz style introduced in their previous ​album, Life is Comedy-touch is one of those gems that ​showcases their evolved artistry.

Meiko Nakahara, a singer-songwriter who was a dazzling ​presence in the golden era of City Pop in the 1980s, released ​her eighth album, Kagami no Naka no Actress. This album, ​a true City Pop classic, features ten tracks, including the title ​song Kagami no Naka no Actress, which served as both the ​opening and ending theme for the TV anime Kimagure ​Orange Road, as well as Dance in Memories. Among the ​tracks, Infinite Love stands out as a song that once again ​showcases her exceptional talent.

Former AKB48 member-turned-singer-songwriter Michiru ​Hoshino released her 2017 album Kōdō Jūnikyū (Zodiac), ​which features Shūichi Romance, perhaps the finest ​example of Blow Monkeys-inspired kayōkyoku from the ​2010s.

While the track has the feel of city pop in the vein of Mariya ​Takeuchi, its intro unmistakably references It Doesn't Have ​to Be This Way.

The song was composed by Seiki Sato, a former member of ​Nice Music and Microstar.

"Jōdan Janai Asa" (July 1987)

Lyrics: Yasushi Akimoto

Music: Kyōhei Tsutsumi

Arrangement: Shirō Washizu

It was the theme song for the TV drama Atsuku Naru Made ​Matte! (Wait Until It Gets Hot!) starring Masakazu Tamura ​and Mariko Ishihara.

The song draws inspiration from It Doesn't Have to Be This ​Way.

The subtle bitterness of the blue note scale, interspersed ​throughout the song, is truly remarkable.

"Seppun" (Kiss) is the fifth single by ORIGINAL LOVE, ​released in 1993.

The song was written as the theme song for the NTV drama ​Otona no Kiss (Adult Kiss).

Music producer Hiroaki Yokoyama cites this track as a prime ​example of the effective use of the "Just the Two of Us" ​chord progression.

It is considered one of the greatest achievements in ​Japanese soul music.

While still in university, he joined KENSO as their drummer ​under his real name, 'Haruhiko Yamamoto,' and played a ​key role in the band's first album, KENSO, released in 1980, ​contributing to both the drumming and arrangements. In his ​senior year of university, he released his second self-​produced album, PLUM 1982 THE HARUHIKO, an album ​that showcased his personal style. 'It's a Refrain' is one of ​the hidden gems of city pop featured on this self-produced ​album!

A sound that doesn’t quite fit into enka, folk, or new music ​genres. It’s a stylish and sophisticated urban sound like ​nothing before—this is truly Tokyo music, or city music!

As a leading figure in the city music movement, ​YOSHITAKA MINAMI made his major debut, and alongside ​him, RAJIE, a female singer often seen as his counterpart, ​delivers a superb urban tune in a duet.

This track is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the rising ​Japanese city pop genre.

‘THE TOKYO TASTE,’ with lyrics, music, arrangement, and ​drums by Yukihiro Takahashi, remains one of the greatest ​tracks in the city pop genre!

The debut single "LOVING YOU" by Mami Horie, considered ​one of the rarest items related to city pop legend Tatsuro ​Yamashita, was originally a song written by Yamashita at ​the request of a music publisher. Although his involvement ​was limited beyond that, the track still carries Yamashita's ​signature style. Mami Horie, captivated by jazz, began ​learning the piano and has maintained her unique sound. ​This is emphasized in the arrangement by bassist Ken ​Watanabe. The backing band on the track includes members ​of the fusion group Prism, such as Watanabe and drummer ​Jun Aoyama.

EPO, a singer who contributed to numerous session ​choruses and made her debut with a cover of Sugar Babe's ​"DOWN TOWN," became a prominent figure in the city pop ​scene of the 1980s. The single "Mittsume no Shiawase" ​comes from her 10th album POPTRACKS, released in 1987.

Here, I’m introducing the B-side of the single, a cover of ​SOMEDAY, a popular track from Tatsuro Yamashita’s 1980 ​album RIDE ON TIME. The original track features backing ​vocals by Minako Yoshida, lyrics, and an iconic bassline by ​Hiroki Ito, and opens the album with a striking impression.

Introducing the urban funk masterpiece "For A Week Story" ​from Milk, the self-produced album by the sister duo ​Ritsuko and Rie, who had previously contributed backing ​vocals for artists like Hideki Saijou and Tomoko Aran. The ​song's soaring chorus is particularly memorable. Since it ​was a self-produced release, the original pressing is quite ​limited and likely difficult to find. The reissue is also a rare ​gem, so DJs, if you come across it, make sure to grab it ​immediately!

Mami Ayukawa is widely known as a popular anime song ​singer, but she has also written songs for idols and released ​her own high-quality city pop albums. What I’m introducing ​here is "SLEEP WALKER," a hidden gem of city pop from her ​1990 album 101st Love, released after she signed with ​Toshiba EMI. The album, produced in New York with the ​involvement of Elliott Scheiner (a renowned recording ​engineer known for his work on Steely Dan albums), ​features this track. Although it was never released as a ​single, it remains a standout in the city pop genre.

Tatsuhiko Yamamoto, the prince of 80s city pop, released ​his fifth album, LE PLEIN SOLEIL.

The track I'm introducing here is "LAST GOOD-BYE," ​featured on that album. This song became one of his ​biggest hits, partly due to it being chosen as the theme song ​for a movie, which greatly increased his popularity. The ​album also ranked in the top 5 of the Oricon weekly charts.

Nasa is a band formed by studio musicians Kazufumi ​Ohama, Kazuyoshi Watanabe, Toshio Kamei, Jun Tsunoda, ​and Koji Miura.

Their album 'Senya Ichiya' is a progressive rock and AOR ​record with elements of soul and blues, featuring electric ​violin. What I’m introducing here is the mellow AOR track ​'Sexy Spicy Baby,' which likely draws inspiration from the ​rhythm work of Curtis Mayfield’s classic 'Tripping Out'!

"Sahara" is a 1984 album by Japanese female singer Rie ​Murakami. This may be the only album she ever released, ​but it's a masterpiece that blends city pop, synth pop, ​fusion, and urban soul, supported by a stellar lineup of ​musicians from Japan's fusion scene. Here, I'm introducing ​"Say Cheese," a medium mellow urban dancer from the ​album. Definitely one to check out!

Introducing "Maho wo Kakete," a hidden gem of city pop ​from the first album Hello Hello by the incredibly talented ​idol, Chie Ito. This track is a standout from her album, which ​showcases her powerful vocals. Since this was during the ​transition from vinyl to CD, finding the LP might be quite a ​challenge!

"Hiroshi Kamayatsu - Gauloise" is a hidden classic of 70s ​city pop that was rediscovered and re-evaluated during the ​90s rare groove movement by DJs. This time, I’m ​introducing a jazzier version of the original, a collaboration ​with The Brand New Heavies.

"Mrs. Mermaid" is the 26th single released by The Checkers ​in 1991. I think it's a track that embodies the perfected form ​of the band's musical direction, "ACID JAZZ," which they ​began exploring with their 1990 album OOPS!. Although ​The Checkers' debut as an idol band led to their music being ​underrated, I believe the songs from this period deserve ​much more recognition.

How was the 'CITYPOP CLASSICS Non-Stop Dance ​Megamix' for you?

If a song catches your interest, bookmark this page and ​enjoy it later at your leisure.