Light In The Attic HHV Records 107 Artikel

Limitiert auf 500 Exemplare, weltweit, exklusiv bei HHV erhältlich. Das neueste Kapitel der gefeierten Pacific Breeze-Serie!

Artwork von dem bekannten Illustrator Hiroshi Nagai

Zusammengestellt von Yosuke Kitazawa und Mark "Frosty" McNeill (dublab)

Neu gemastertes Audio

2xLP in einem Deluxe-Schutzumschlag mit breitem Rücken, vollfarbigen Innenhüllen und individuell gestanztem OBI

Ausführliche Künstlerbiografien von Yosuke Kitazawa

Digitale Mockups sind keine exakte Darstellung der Farben

Die Pacific Breeze-Reihe von Light in the Attic versorgt die wachsende Schar japanischer Musikfans mit einer fachkundig kuratierten Auswahl der begehrtesten City Pop-Aufnahmen - einem faszinierenden und nebulösen Genre der japanischen Bubble-Ära der 70er und 80er Jahre, das AOR, R&B, Jazz Fusion, Funk, Boogie und Disco umfasst. Diese vertrauten Klänge werden durch die einzigartige Brille einer optimistischen, kosmopolitischen Fantasie betrachtet, die durch den damaligen Wohlstand Japans geprägt war. Ein Großteil der Musik war außerhalb Japans kaum zu bekommen und fesselt die Hörer mit seiner einzigartigen Mischung aus groovigem Eskapismus, der sogar ganz neue Genres wie Vaporwave hervorgebracht hat.

Pacific Breeze 3: Japanese City Pop, AOR & Boogie 1975-1987 ist das neueste Kapitel der berühmten Reihe und enthält neben den heiligen Gralen auch Raritäten, die unter dem Radar liegen. Die Sammlung platzt aus allen Nähten und enthüllt einige der besten japanischen Tracks, die je auf Band aufgenommen wurden. Sie stößt an den Rand des City Pop vor, um einen Vorgeschmack auf die nächsten Wellen von Stilen zu geben, die den kreativen Köpfen des Landes entspringen. Das Auftauchen von Pizzicato Five deutet auf das Aufkommen von Shibuya-kei hin, während der Einfluss von Hip-Hop und Elektro als aufkommender globaler Trend hier auch durch die Vorherrschaft von härteren programmierten Schlagzeugbeats in Tracks wie "Heartbeat" von Miho Fujiwara deutlich wird.

Dieser Band von Pacific Breeze ist, wie seine Vorgänger, sehr frauenlastig, denn viele Titel werden von Frauen gesungen, die in Japan als Schauspielerinnen und Pop-Idole bekannt geworden sind. Ihre Songs unterlaufen die Norm und sind voller Innovationsgeist, der die Geschlechterrollen zugunsten der klanglichen Transzendenz sprengt. Die Techno-Pop-Klassiker von Susan, Miharu Koshi und Chiemi Manabe stehen neben dem erhabenen Funk von Atsuko Nina und Naomi Akimoto, während Teresa Noda sich mit einem schwülen Reggae-Jam in den Mix einschleicht. Die Bandbreite der Genres wird durch die hypnotische Jazz-Fusion von Parachute und Hiroyuki Namba, die Synthesizer-Fantasie von Osamu Shoji und den magnetischen Pop von Makoto Matsushita und Chu Kosaka noch erweitert.

Auch wenn sie nicht im Mittelpunkt stehen, sind die visionären Mitglieder des Yellow Magic Orchestra auf Pacific Breeze 3 immer noch sehr präsent: Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto und Yukihiro Takahashi sind als Produzenten und Musiker an vielen dieser Tracks beteiligt. Pacific Breeze 3 ist eine fesselnde musikalische Reise, die die kultige Compilation-Reihe um ein wichtiges Kapitel erweitert.

Light in the Attic’s Pacific Breeze series has supplied the world’s growing legions of Japanese music fans with an expertly curated selection of the most sought-after City Pop recordings—the mesmerizing and nebulous genre of Japanese bubble-era music of the ‘70s-’80s that encompasses AOR, R&B, jazz fusion, funk, boogie and disco. These familiar sounds are spun through the unique lens of optimistic, cosmopolitan fantasy colored by Japan’s affluence at the time. Much of the music has previously been nearly impossible to acquire outside of Japan and continues to captivate listeners with its unique blend of groove-laden escapism, even birthing wholly new genres such as Vaporwave.

Pacific Breeze 3: Japanese City Pop, AOR & Boogie 1975-1987 marks the latest chapter in the famed series and features holy grails plus under-the-radar rarities. The collection bursts at the seams to reveal some of the greatest Japanese tracks ever laid to tape, pushing towards the edge of City Pop to reveal glimmers of the next waves of styles to spring forth from the country’s creative minds. The appearance of Pizzicato Five hint at the emergence of Shibuya-kei while the influence of hip hop and electro as an emerging global trend are also evident here through the prevalence of heavier programmed drum beats on tracks such as “Heartbeat” by Miho Fujiwara.

This volume of Pacific Breeze, like its predecessors, is a female-forward offering with many tracks being voiced by women who would become household names in Japan as actresses and pop idols. Their songs here subvert the norm and brim with an innovative spirit that shatters gender roles in favor of sonic transcendence. Techno-pop classics from Susan, Miharu Koshi and Chiemi Manabe sit alongside sublime funk from Atsuko Nina and Naomi Akimoto while Teresa Noda slides into the mix with a sultry reggae jam. The genre span is stretched wider with hypnotic jazz fusion by Parachute and Hiroyuki Namba, a synthesizer fantasy from Osamu Shoji, and magnetic pop by Makoto Matsushita and Chu Kosaka.

Although not front and center, the visionary members of Yellow Magic Orchestra are still very present on Pacific Breeze 3, with Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yukihiro Takahashi taking up producer and musician roles on many of these tracks. Pacific Breeze 3 serves up a captivating musical journey that adds an essential chapter to the iconic compilation series.

Light in the Attic Records is proud to present the next installment of the Nancy Sinatra Archival Series with the first ever reissue of the classic 1972 album Nancy & Lee Again. Recorded during a 1972 reunion between Nancy and the enigmatic Hazlewood, the album contains some of the pair’s most enduring and ambitious duets including the epic ”Arkansas Coal (Suite),” the sensual “Paris Summer” and the incredibly powerful Dolly Parton-penned “Down From Dover.” Equal parts daring, psychedelic, cinematic, and sweet, Nancy & Lee Again reveals with each track a timeless, natural chemistry between two artists who would remain influential for generations to come.

Nancy & Lee Again is available in a variety of formats, including vinyl, CD, 8-track, and digital. The vinyl LP, pressed at Record Technology, Inc. (rti), is presented in an expanded gatefold jacket and is accompanied by a 20-page booklet, featuring an array of photos from the legendary singer, actress, and activist’s personal collection, as well as in-depth Q&A with Nancy Sinatra, conducted by the reissue’s Grammy®-nominated co-producer, Hunter Lea (also available in the CD package). All formats have been beautifully designed by Darryl Norsen of D. Norsen Design, and include two bonus tracks, “Machine Gun Kelly” (first time on vinyl) and the previously unreleased “Think I’m Coming Down.”

In addition to the black vinyl pressing, a selection of colorful variants can be found exclusively at NancySinatra.com, LightInTheAttic.net, independent record stores and select online retailers.

A limited-edition merchandise capsule, including a custom chain stitched denim jacket, embroidered pillow, canvas tote and apparel collaboration with LA-based Midnight Rider will accompany the release at Nancy’s Bootique at NancySinatra.com.

Nancy’s impact on fashion, music, and culture will also be celebrated at Modernism Week in Palm Springs this February with three events, including a roundtable discussion featuring Kii Arens (Visual Artist), Alison Martino (Vintage Los Angeles), Hunter Lea (Record Producer), Don Randi (The Wrecking Crew), and Amanda Erlinger (daughter of Nancy Sinatra, and co-author of the book Nancy Sinatra: One For Your Dreams), a double decker bus tour featuring audio commentary from Nancy at notable locations, and a Nancy Sinatra Tribute street party on Arenas to close out the week’s festivities.

More About Nancy & LEE Again:

The incongruous, yet glorious, creative partnership between Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood was well underway when the two singular artists reunited to record 1972’s Nancy & Lee Again, a follow-up to their bestselling duet debut, Nancy & Lee. Nancy, the eldest daughter of Frank Sinatra, had been working with the Oklahoma-born songwriter since 1965, when she topped the pop charts with “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.” Over the next five years, the two artists forged a prolific relationship in the studio, with Hazlewood writing and producing many of Nancy’s solo hits. Soon, the duo found success with a series of duets, including “Sand,” “Summer Wine,” and “Some Velvet Morning” – all of which appeared on their highly-influential 1968 debut.

Not long after the critical acclaim and chart success of Nancy & Lee died down, however, Hazlewood unexpectedly relocated to Sweden, leaving his musical partner in the proverbial dust. America, meanwhile, was in the midst of a cultural shift, as the Vietnam War waged on. By the turn of the decade, the musical landscape had changed significantly. “Trivial music and not profound music became unimportant,” recalls Nancy, speaking to Hunter Lea. “It was a tough time.” And yet, despite the circumstances, the stars somehow aligned for the duo to record some of their most magnificent music together.

Returning to Los Angeles for the project, Hazlewood – who reprised his role as producer – chose to take a new direction with the duo’s sophomore album. Nancy recalls, “It was more dramatic; it was more fun to do, more challenging to do…. It was more grandiose.” For the lush, orchestral arrangements, they collaborated with Larry Muhoberac (an original member of Elvis Presley’s TCB band, whose early ‘70s credits also included Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, and Lalo Schifrin) and Clark Gassman, who had worked on Hazlewood’s 1970 LP, Cowboy in Sweden. Backing vocals from brothers John and Tom Bahler, who remain two of the most recorded singers in history, added additional texture to several songs.

The big sound that Nancy describes above is exemplified in the album’s cinematic opener, “Arkansas Coal (Suite).” Clocking in at nearly six minutes long, the dynamic overture tells the tale of an ill-fated coal miner (sung by Hazlewood), while Nancy adjusts her vocals to sing as both the miner’s daughter and his wife. Hazlewood’s knack for vivid, nuanced storytelling shines throughout Nancy & Lee Again, particularly in “Paris Summer,” which details the conflict that a married woman faces, as she engages in a passionate affair. Another highlight is the country-inspired hit, “Did You Ever,” which was released as the album’s lead single. After it landed at No.2 on the U.K. pop charts, the song served as an alternate title track in several countries, including LP pressings in the U.K., Germany, and Canada.

One of the most emotionally-charged moments on Nancy & Lee Again is a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Down From Dover.” The heartbreaking tune tells the tale of a pregnant teenager, who has been abandoned by her lover and her family and ultimately gives birth to a stillborn baby. While Parton’s 1970 version was sung from the teenager’s point of view, Hazlewood and Sinatra transformed the country song into a duet. Hazlewood, who offers the man’s side of the story, sings in a notably deeper octave than his signature baritone.

Another poignant selection is “Congratulations,” which describes a soldier coming home from Vietnam. “His face has grown old and his eyes have grown cold/And they tell you of where he has been/Congratulations, you sure made a man out of him,” Hazlewood sings, pointedly. Nancy, who performs as the vet’s wife, argues that the song had a deeper meaning for her duet partner. “Lee started out a hawk, he was an army guy, so he was all for the war in the beginning. We didn’t talk about it, but at some point, he changed radically. ‘Congratulations’ was almost like an apology from him. I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but it was as though he was saying ‘I’m really sorry.’”

The song “Friendship Train” could also be interpreted as an apology of sorts – this time to Nancy. “You’ve been hurt and I’ve been hurt/Now we’re living pain,” the tune opens. When Hazlewood moved to Sweden without telling his longtime musical partner, Sinatra was understandably upset. “I felt pretty betrayed. I mean, who does that? Who just up and disappears like that? I’ll never understand it,” she reveals. But the uplifting duet – a slice of ‘70s pop perfection – offers reaffirming words of love between friends. “[Lee] felt things very deeply and tended to express his feelings in song instead of in real life,” explains Nancy.

The 10-track album closes with the stripped-down “Got It Together.” Backed by an acoustic guitar, the song is equal parts playful and candid, as the duo has an impromptu, spoken-word conversation about their lives. “I wish that we’d quit getting so old,” laments Nancy, who later shares her wish to have children (she would do so in the next few years). Hazlewood, meanwhile, attempts to remedy his past wrongdoings – this time asking his partner, “Can I go back to Sweden?” With that, Nancy gives her blessing.

This definitive reissue of Nancy & Lee Again also includes two bonus tracks. Both are stylistic departures for the duo – but fit right in with the psychedelic pop of the era. The first one, “Think I’m Coming Down,” is a harmony-filled reflection on a toxic relationship. “I think that was one of [Lee’s] drug things. I don’t mean that he used drugs; I mean that he was trying to be part of that culture. Trying to be hip,” explains Nancy, who delivers an emotive vocal performance on the solo track. Also included is “Machine Gun Kelly,” penned by a staple of the 70s singer-songwriter movement, Danny Kortchmar (James Taylor, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt). Recorded several months after the release of the album, the song found Nancy reuniting with Billy Strange, who arranged many of her solo albums, as well as Nancy & Lee. Sinatra and Hazlewood first performed “Machine Gun Kelly” during their residency at Las Vegas’ Riviera Hotel in February 1972 (later released as a concert documentary on Swedish television). While the recording has long remained a career favorite of Nancy’s, it would be decades before it was officially released.

Nancy & Lee Again remains a creative high point in the careers of Sinatra and Hazlewood and, upon its release, garnered rave reviews from Billboard, Record World, and Cash Box, among others. Yet, Nancy & Lee Again never received the spotlight it so utterly deserved. “We didn’t have label support at all in those days,” recalls Nancy. “Without the strength of a label, records die. We were old. We were old-fashioned. We were just not what was happening. It’s a very ageist kind of business.” Nevertheless, she adds, “I think it’s a very good album. I think it’s timeless.” Now, after years of being a sought-after rarity, this gem in the Sinatra-Hazlewood canon can finally get its due.

Five decades later, Nancy’s legacy only continues to grow, as new generations discover her impressive catalog (which boasts nearly 20 studio albums – her duets with Hazlewood among them – and dozens of charting singles, including the theme song to the 1967 James Bond film, You Only Live Twice). In 2020, Sinatra was recognized by her peers when “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” was inducted into the Grammy® Hall of Fame. That same year, Sinatra partnered with Light in the Attic for Nancy Sinatra: Start Walkin’ 1965-1976, a definitive survey of her most prolific period. Lita has also reissued Sinatra’s classic debut, Boots, and her iconic, 1968 album with Lee Hazlewood, Nancy & Lee. The label looks forward to celebrating Nancy over the coming years with a variety of special releases, exclusive merchandise, and more.