JAPAN
IN TOKYO
COMPACT DISC DOUBLE
Item no. :LFM2CD690 Barcode :0823564036663 Artist :JAPAN Product type :Compact Disc Double Label :LEFT FIELD MEDIA Release Date :13 January 2023
DESCRIPTION TRACK LIST
Formed in 1974 in South London by David Sylvian (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steve Jansen (drums) and Mick Karn (bass guitar), the trio were joined by Richard Barbieri (keyboards) and Rob Dean (lead guitar) the following year. Initially a glam rock-inspired band, Japan developed their sound and androgynous look to incorporate electronic music and world influences.
The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing nine UK top 40 hits, including the 1982 top 5 single ‘Ghosts’. The band split in December 1982, just as they were beginning to experience commercial success in the UK and abroad. Its members went on to pursue other musical projects, though they reformed briefly in the early 1990s under the name Rain Tree Crow, releasing an album in 1991.
Japan had signed with German disco label Hansa-Ariola in 1977, becoming an alternative glam rock outfit in the mould of Lou Reed, David Bowie, T.Rex, Roxy Music et al, although their initial material was guitar-based funk.
Hansa dropped the band in early 1980 due to a lack of success in their home country (although they were huge by then in, ironically, Japan), but were picked up by Virgin Records, who released their final two albums, Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) and Tin Drum (1981). These records continued to expand their audience as the band refined its new sound, however, the combination of this and the band's stylised visual appearance led to them unintentionally becoming associated with the early-1980s New Romantic scene. Regardless, it had a positive effect on the band's record sales in the UK and they slowly began to gain chart success.
After a couple of lower charting singles, their first UK top 40 hit was a re-release of the ‘Quiet Life’ single, which peaked at No. 19 in October 1981. Three of the singles from the Tin Drum album also peaked in the UK top 40, with the unconventional ‘Ghosts’ reaching No. 5, becoming Japan's biggest domestic hit.
With personality conflicts leading to rising tensions within the band, Tin Drum was to be the band's final studio album. Mick Karn released his first solo album, Titles, at the same time the band announced their split in late 1982.
Japan’s final ‘Sons of Pioneers’ tour in late 1982 included dates in Europe, UK and the Far East. On this tour, guitarist and keyboardist Masami Tsuchiya performed with the band on stage.
Japan’s final ever gigs were performed in Japan in December 1982, and among these dates their show at the famous Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on the 8th of the month was deemed the finest show of the entire tour. Recorded for live radio broadcast across the country, the concert has not previously been issued on CD. That changes with this new 2-disc set which features here the entire show for the first time.
DISC ONE
1. Burning Bridge
2. Sons Of Pioneers
3. Alien
4. Gentlemen Take Polaroids
5. Swing
6. Cantonese Boy
7. Visions Of China
8. Nightporter
9. Ghosts
DISC TWO
1. Still Life In Mobile Homes
2. Methods Of Dance
3. Quiet Life
4. European Son
5. The Art Of Parties
6. Bamboo Music (with Akiko Yano)
7. Taking Islands in Africa (with Yukihiro Takahashi)
8. Life In Tokyo
9. Canton
10. Good Night (with Akiko Yano)
