
🎧Seri Ishikawa – "Tokidoki Watashi wa..." (1976): Quietly Legendary, Elegantly Mellow
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Some albums don’t shout. They whisper—with subtle grooves, heartfelt melodies, and a cast of musicians so legendary, their presence alone defines an era.
Seri Ishikawa’s Tokidoki Watashi wa... (1976) is one of those records—an understated gem at the dawn of modern Japanese pop sophistication.
🎹 A Dream Lineup Behind the Sound
This album features some of the most respected names in 1970s Japanese music:
Masataka Matsutoya (arrangement, production)
Akiko Yano (keyboards)
Ginji Ito (guitar)
Rei Ohara, Tsugutoshi Goto (bass)
Shuichi “Ponta” Murakami (drums)
Shigeoya Hamaguchi (percussion)
Their performances are subtle but refined—adding color, texture, and quiet brilliance without ever stealing the spotlight.
🎤 Sugar Babe on Backing Vocals
On the track “Nantonaku…”, the backing vocals are performed by Sugar Babe—yes, the early group featuring Tatsuro Yamashita, Taeko Ohnuki, and Kunio Muramatsu. Their harmonies add a soft, nostalgic glow that fans of City Pop will instantly recognize.
🎼 Mellow with Depth
The title track Tokidoki Watashi wa... (composed by Kosuke “Pico” Higuchi) is built on mellow electric piano, soft funk grooves, and Ishikawa’s transparent vocals. It’s the kind of song that gently lingers in your memory long after it ends.
📀 Why It Matters
This album captures the early spirit of Japan’s transition toward refined pop, before the City Pop boom exploded.
For collectors, it’s not only a rare piece of vinyl—it’s a historical document of Japan’s musical evolution.
Now available at Wabi Record
🛒 Buy the Vinyl: Seri Ishikawa – "Tokidoki Watashi wa..." (1976)