5 Rare City Pop Vinyl Records That Need To Be Re-Released

5 Rare City Pop Albums That Need To Be Re-Released

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Okay, so maybe these 5 records don’t need to be re-released but they sure are on my radar for some of the most sought after records in the City Pop style. Maybe this is more like a wish-list than a blog post, so sorry in advance. Some records I haven’t included are Anri’s discography and Tatsuro’s because it seems they are determined to never make more of their music available on vinyl ever again, or some reason I can’t understand. Giving fans the option to buy these records would bring a lot of good to the world, but I digress.

I’ve come to a point in my record collecting that not having certain things is almost unbearable, almost. I think everyone wants a complete collection of whatever they love, and while it would be nearly impossible to own every City Pop record I want, I try my best. Not too proud to say you can also donate any of these to my preservation of the genre, I certainly wouldn’t be mad haha. No, seriously, give me these records and I would love you forever (ノ*°▽°*)

RITSUCO KAZAMI - NOUVELLES

First on the list is Ritsuco, or Ritsuko Kazami. She has 3 albums, all of which are good, but Nouvelles is on a level that is almost god-tier in terms of mood, style, and production. Almost every song is amazing but 浮気な彼 is my all time favorite from her. It is simply just the creme de la creme. Currently the record label who owns the rights is re-releasing it in CD format [doesn’t make sense to me] but I am hoping they realize vinyl is where this lovely LP belongs. At this moment an original CD is going for over $300 on discogs, and the seemingly only vinyl copy being sold is over $600 on ebay. Yikes!

[confirmed re-release since this blog post. Pre-order at Cromulent Records]

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Kengo Kurozumi – Juggler

Columbia Music Entertainment ‘City Pop’ (2003)

Not really an album, but a 7’’ EP containing one of the best songs in the funky disco spectrum of City Pop. Nothing more to say than that the song absolutely slaps. It sounds like something that’d be on a classic Micheal Jackson album. For some reason it was left as a single, and never added to any of his LPs, much to the disappointment of those thinking it was on his first album ‘Again’, because someone on YouTube matched the song to the album picture, causing a lot of confused buyers, ala Mariya Takeuchi’s picture from Sweetest Music used for Plastic Love. The 45 was repressed in 2015, and currently sitting on sale on Discogs at almost $600 ヽ(`⌒´メ)ノ

There is however an Yahoo Auctions Japan sale going on for a repress priced at around 27000yen. I’ll wait for another repress but if you’re interested: https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g1034913853

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VIZION - PSYCHOTIC CUBE

Part Italo-Disco, Part Electric Boogie, Part YMO, all slick synth-bangers! Psychotic Cube is a joy to listen to all the way through, thanks in big part to Kenjiro Sakiya producing, and lending vocals to the insane production. It’s quintessential 80s City Pop, and probly one of the rarest albums currently. There is so much to take in on this album, and it sits perfectly at the intersection of many styles and genres that truly feels like a fantastic psychotic voyage in a cube? Sure, why not. The album currently can be purchased on Discogs for around $700 for a promo copy, and around $500 for an original. You can also catch this Yahoo Japan Auction for 23000yen. Been wanting this for years but alas, I’m a peasant (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)

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CINDY - ANGEL TOUCH

RIP Cindy. Alright, I know this was repressed in 2020, but I infact did miss it. Why? Because it’s getting difficult keeping up with represses. The game is truly on in terms of nabbing these before they sell out. Cindy is a legend, no doubt, and most if not everyone knows Angel Touch is a true City Pop treasure. The LP is so good there are no vinyl currently for sale in any market, believe me I’ve checked everything from Yahoo Auctions Japan to underground vinyl forums. No one wants to part with it, and with good reason, who could sell an angel’s touch. Plenty of CDs to go around currently, but not a vinyl in sight sadly… for now ヽ(￣～￣ )ノ

[confirmed re-release since this blog post. Pre-order at Sony Music Japan]

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YUIKO TSUBOKURA

I really should have bought this back when I had a chance when I first started collecting City Pop in 2015. Her song Give Me Taboo is one of my all time favorite songs. Maybe it’s crazy to want them to repress an entire LP for just one song, but that’s what it is. Don’t get me wrong, I like the rest of the album, but that one song is so good it could just be released as a 7'‘ and I’d be more than happy. From the first 5 seconds you already know its going to be epic. Immaculately produced with fantastic vocal work to boot. It’s just iconic, a vibe, a mood, a moment… its everything. Currently no vinyl for sale, making it another holy grail.

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These are currently the top 5 City Pops that I would love to see repressed, or repressed again. While I love to collect City Pop, it really has become a bit absurd how expensive some of these records are currently. It really alienates a lot of fans who want to own some music that they love. Also it can be a risky investment, especially if you pay top dollar, and then whatever you bought eventually does get repressed again, significantly dropping the value, but if you truly covet original pressings then bless you, soldier.

Press on,

Van

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AUTHOR

Van Paugam is an Internationally-Acclaimed DJ and leading figure specializing in 70s and 80s Japanese Music, dubbed City Pop. He has organized and hosted over 100 events dedicated to the style, and actively promotes Japanese culture while on the board of the Japanese Arts Foundation of Chicago. He has been featured on CNN, NHK, and many other publications for his dedication to City Pop. Van is credited with being the first person to begin popularizing City Pop online through his mixes on YouTube in 2016, and subsequently through live events. Learn More…

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