Review & Rating: Kingo Hamada – Fall in Love (1985)

Описание: 1. Arrangement & Composition (9/10)
Kingo Hamada collaborated with Makoto Matsushita (a legendary guitarist and arranger) for this album. The result is a highly sophisticated AOR (Adult Oriented Rock) composition. The use of the horn section, led by Shin Kazuhara, provides a grand, majestic feel. Tracks like "Fool in the City" feature a very tight and tidy structure, typical of musicians with a deep understanding of Jazz-Pop theory.

2. Production & Sound Engineering (8.5/10)
Released under the Toshiba EMI (Eastworld) label, the recording quality is crystal clear. The percussion and synthesizers are arranged with precise layering. The overall sound feels "expensive" and clean, a hallmark of Japan’s Bubble Economy era where studio budgets were generous.

3. Vocals & Delivery (8/10)
Kingo possesses a smooth baritone voice not as high-pitched as Tatsuro Yamashita, but incredibly soothing. His vocal strength lies in his composure. In the duet "Billie Holiday ni Se wo Mukete" with Akiko Kosaka, his voice balances the female vocals beautifully without ever feeling overpowering.

4. Album Consistency (8/10)
The album is quite consistent from start to finish, with a runtime of approximately 40 minutes. There are very few "filler" tracks. Almost every track maintains a high standard of quality. However, some of you might find the pacing a bit too mellow or relaxed in the middle section.

5. Atmosphere (9/10)
If you are looking for the definition of "Urban Night Vibes," this album is the answer. Starting from the cover art by Seizo Watase (an iconic illustrator alongside Hiroshi Nagai), the album radiates the aura of a late-night date in Tokyo. Tracks like "Morning Call wa Marvin Gaye" capture the essence of the sophisticated City Pop lifestyle.

Final Score: 8.5 / 10 (Highly Recommended)
Fall in Love is the perfect album for those who have moved past the "Plastic Love" phase and want to explore the more mature, jazzy, and calm side of City Pop. It is the ideal soundtrack for a night drive or enjoying coffee on an apartment balcony.

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