Far East New Rock Invention 1969-1975
"What strikes me again, even now, is that rock from the late '60s through the early '70s remains the most compelling — whether Western or Japanese. In the mid-1960s, British groups like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones swept across the globe, while in the United States Bob Dylan famously swapped his folk guitar for an electric one, igniting the folk-rock movement. From the surge of new energy among young people in Britain and America — entwined with hippie culture, drugs, and the radical momen…
Spacing Out
On Spacing Out, Shigeharu Mukai fuses spiritual jazz drive with vivid 70s fusion colours: bossa sway, tropical grooves, rock backbeats and fat funk lines orbiting his trombone in a confident, wide‑angle crossover set.
Tokyo Pulse - Japanese Funk, Modern and City Pop from the Tokyo Scene - 1974-88
Hot on the heels of the Tokyo bliss and Funk Tide sets, Tokyo-based DJ Notoya delivers Tokyo Pulse a new juicy selection of Funk and Modern soul recorded in Tokyo in the 70s and 80s. Most tracks here are making their debut outside of Japan and the album, like its predecessors, has been designed by Manuel Sepulveda (Optigram) and is annotated by DJ Notoya. The audio has been newly mastered in Tokyo by Nippon Columbia Records and remastered for vinyl by Colorsound in Paris.
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
For Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, Joe Hisaishi pours big‑hearted symphonic colour, children’s choirs and unmistakable earworms into Miyazaki’s flood‑myth fairytale, crafting a score that’s equal parts tempest, lullaby and sugar‑rush theme song.
Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind
For Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Joe Hisaishi builds a full mythos in sound: from early synth‑heavy image pieces to orchestral suites, his themes move between apocalyptic dread, ecological mystery and childlike hope with uncanny inevitability.
Castle in the Sky
On Castle in the Sky, Joe Hisaishi wraps Miyazaki’s floating‑island adventure in luminous themes, bounding chase cues and choral climaxes, fusing folk‑coloured melody and orchestral sweep into one of the most iconic soundworlds in the Ghibli universe.
Porco Rosso
The Porco Rosso scores show Joe Hisaishi at his most lyrical and playful, weaving 1920s Italian nostalgia, aerial derring‑do and bittersweet romance into lush orchestral themes and chanson‑tinged songs that make Miyazaki’s Adriatic daydream feel utterly lived‑in.
Akira O.S.T.
*2025 stock* The strength of the Akira soundtrack lies in its unique blend of traditional Japanese instruments and futuristic electronic sounds. Yamashiro weaves together an eclectic mix of influences, creating a sonic landscape that mirrors the dystopian and cyberpunk themes of the movie. The use of traditional chants, taiko drums, and shakuhachi flutes alongside electronic synthesizers and orchestral elements generates a hauntingly mesmerizing atmosphere that perfectly complements the visuals …
Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley is the iconic name given to a collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated popular music in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally, it referred to a specific location: West 28th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Manhattan’s Flower District.
Drawing inspiration from this historic music landmark, renowned Japanese musicians Haruomi Hosono (Apryl Fool, Happy End, Yellow Magic Orchestra), Masataka Matsutoya (mus…
Tokyo Funk Diva 1981 - 1988
Hitomi ‘Penny’ Tohyama’s Tokyo Funk Diva 1981-1988 introduces international audiences to one of Japan’s most charismatic exponents of funk and boogie. This capsule compilation, curated and newly remastered, captures her innovative blend of soulful vocals and sleek '80s production from a catalogue that shaped Tokyo’s underground dance music scene.
Minyo Groove 1963-1979 - Japan Meets Latin, Rock, Rare Groove & Funky Vibes
Active as a professional DJ in Japan since the late eighties, DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite is also a renowned remixer, compiler and producer. An avid record collector and an expert of Wamono music, Yoshizawa has published in 2015 the now-classic Wamono A to Z records guide book, which instantly sold-out. The book unveiled a myriad of beautiful and rare records from a highly prolific, but still then unknown, Japanese groove scene. He has also selected a large part of the music in our highly acclaimed Wa…
Blind Woman's Curse O.s.t.
For over fifty years, Blind Woman's Curse has remained one of the most sought-after soundtracks in Japanese cinema, with original vinyl pressings commanding extraordinary prices among collectors. This official CD release finally makes this essential piece of film music accessible to a new generation of listeners while preserving its legacy for future appreciation.
Trans Groove Express (A Musical Journey To The Other Side Of Express Records)
Fourth Wave is thrilled to announce the release of “Trans Groove Express,” a stunning new compilation album curated by the legendary Japanese DJ and producer, Muro—widely celebrated as the King of Diggin’. This unique collection is meticulously selected and compiled from the extensive catalog of the renowned Japanese label, Express Records.
“Trans Groove Express” invites listeners on a musical journey to the other side of Express Records, shining a spotlight on rare and exquisite Japanese soul-p…
Diggin' Victor - Deep Into The Vaults Of Japanese Fusion / AOR For Vinyl Selected By Muro
Legendary DJ Muro, the “King of Diggin’,” presents a new compilation of rare Japanese Funk, Jazz/Fusion, and AOR from Victor’s archives. Carefully curated, this release immerses listeners in Japan’s vibrant musical heritage, making it essential for collectors and music lovers alike.
Yamate Hotel / Bad Junkie Blues
"Time" was the second album released in 1977 by keyboardist Sato Hiroshi, whose albums "Awakening" and "Orient"continue to receive acclaim around the world. The 7-inch title "Yamate Hotel c/w Bad Junkie Blues", released as a pre releasepromo single and now it has finally been reissued officially with new artwork!! Side A "Yamate Hotel" is a mellow sophisticated soul/reggae superb track that starts with beautiful synth work, with lyrics by Matsumoto Takashi and percussion by Saito Nobu. It is a f…
Our Connection
Nipponophone is proud to announce the reissue of a true gem from the golden era of Japanese pop: "Our Connection" by Ayumi Ishida and Tin Pan Alley Family. Originally released in 1977 and now available on high-quality black vinyl with the iconic obi strip, this album stands as a testament to the creative synergy between one of Japan’s most beloved vocalists and the legendary Tin Pan Alley collective.
"Our Connection" captures the sophisticated blend of pop, funk, soul, and city pop that defined …
Special Sound Series – Vol. 2: The Word
Tip! *Japan import with Obi Strip* "The Word II” track has gained instant worldwide recognition after being sampled by Mac DeMarco in "Chamber of Reflection" and by Travis Scott and Quavo's unit Huncho Jack in "How U Feel." Shigeo Seikito's seminal work, which includes this track, is now reissued on colored vinyl. This album is the most widely listened-to electone piece in the world, drawing attention from a diverse range of audiences including hip-hop, balearic, and dream pop enthusiasts.
Longing For The Shadow: Ryūkōka Recordings, 1921-1939
Emerging during the early stages of the recording industry in Japan, the ryūkōka style adopted western classical, blues & jazz elements into traditional and classical Japanese music.This collection of 1920s & 30s ryūkōka recordings follows on from the Kouta Katsutaro tape we put out a couple of years back, and further captures the hauntingly unique sound of a cultural merging that was starting to reflect itself via popular song, ahead of the widespread influence of western pop music during post-…
Ryukyu Rare Groove Crossover - Okinawa Jazz Funk 1964-1984
A compilation of tracks that rearrange Okinawan folk songs into Jazz Funk, crossover, and large ensemble jazz, featuring works by Kiyoshi Yamaya, who was also highlighted in "Diggers Dozen" (BBE) by the Japanese DJ Muro, known as the "King of Diggin," and "Wamono Groove: Shakuhachi & Koto Jazz Funk 1976" (180g). This collection debuts as the latest installment in the "Ryukyu Rare Groove" series, which was originally released in Japan in 2003 to great acclaim.
Ryukyu Rare Groove Revisited - Okinawa Pops 1957-1978
A compilation of rare and unique songs that blend rock and soul grooves with pop songs sung in the traditional scales of Okinawa, a southern island of Japan. It includes 14 tropical groove tracks from notable artists such as the iconic Yara Families, the pioneer of Okinawan folk rock Shokichi Kina, and Mitsuko Sawamura, who transitioned from Okinawa to American musical films.