Yoko Aso (麻生よう子) - MAJO 魔女 / 予感 (Japan, 1988) (Dance-Pop/Hi-NRG/Synth-Pop)

Описание: Powerful late 80's Dance-pop single with some Hi-NRG elements in Shiro Sagisu's iconic style.

This is Yoko Aso's 24th single, released on the 1st of July 1988 on Fun House. Composed by Takashi Miki (三木たかし) (RIP), an esteemed Japanese songwriter, with lyrics provided by Yuuko Kadogi (角木優子) (whom I could not find any information on). Both tracks are arranged by the legendary Shiro Sagisu (鷺巣詩郎), a well-known Japanese composer, arranger and producer, particularly notable for his work in anime and film soundtracks. I'm personally a massive fan of Sagisu's late 80s/early 90s arrangements, and I can instantly recognise his sound.

I first discovered this single (and artist) on YouTube a while ago and went to do some digging. At first, I really struggled to find out who "Yoko" was, but thankfully stumbled upon this Reddit post that confirmed the artist as Yoko Aso (also romanised as Youko Asoh) (麻生よう子), a Japanese kayo singer born on the 3rd of December 1955 (making her 32 at the time of this single's release) in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture. She was born Yoko Kamirei (神例 よう子), but upon deciding her stage name, she recalled an employee at CBS/Sony (the label she was first signed to upon her debut in 1974) having the family name Asou. She won the Best New Artist Award with her debut "Tohikou" at the 16th Japan Record Awards in 1974, so it's quite sad to see her later works have so little recognition.

She also achieved great success in 1979 with a Japanese version of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive".

Let's take a moment to appreciate the iconic cover art for this single. I love her newspaper hat/headpiece.

Tracklist:
0:00 - 1. MAJO 魔女 (MAJO Witch)
3:50 - 2. 予感 (Premonition)

Lyrics by:
Yuuko Kadogi (角木優子)

Composed by:
Takashi Miki (三木たかし)

Arranged by:
Shiro Sagisu (鷺巣詩郎)

℗ 1988 Fun House Inc.

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