Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985 – Time Capsule

In the 1970s and ’80s, Japan developed a love for reggae music, influenced by its smooth and funky style. This interest was fueled by Japanese reggae pop, particularly after Bob Marley and the Wailers toured Japan in 1979, spreading the reggae message widely.

However, the rise of Japanese reggae wasn’t straightforward. The compilation “Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985” shows how J-reggae became popular, blending city pop with catchy reggae rhythms. Many Japanese artists and producers were inspired by bands like The Police and UB40 rather than directly by Jamaican music.

The album includes tracks from artists such as Miki Hirayama, who adapted Bob Marley’s basslines, Chu Kosaka, Marlene, and Izumi “Mimi” Kobayashi, each adding their unique twists. This collection highlights the unexpected ways different music styles can mix to create something new and exciting.

“Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985” was released on vinyl and for download, as part of Time Capsule’s Nippon Series, which explores various Japanese musical scenes from the 1960s to the 2010s.

Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985 is a Time Capsule reggae compilation that digs into Japan’s smooth and funky 1970s and ’80s reggae-pop crossover, with eight cuts spread across seven artists. The set brings together Miki Hirayama, Chu Kosaka, Izumi “Mimi” Kobayashi, Junko Yagami, Miharu Koshi, Marlene, and Lily, and it moves between city pop shimmer, dubby grooves, and a backbeat that helped J-reggae reach a wider audience. Miki Hirayama’s Tsukikage No Nagisa and Denshi Lenzi, Kobayashi’s Lazy Love, and Lily’s Tenkini Naare are among the key tracks here. Released in 2024, it also sits inside Time Capsule’s Nippon Series, a run that maps out different Japanese scenes from the 1960s through the 2010s.

Tokyo Riddim Tracklist:

1. Miki Hirayama – Tsukikage No Nagisa (月影の渚)
2. Miki Hirayama – Denshi Lenzi (電子レンジ)
3. Chu Kosaka – Music
4. Izumi “Mimi” Kobayashi – Lazy Love
5. Junko Yagami – Johannesburg) (ジョハナスバーグ)
6. Miharu Koshi – Coffee Break (コーヒーブレイク)
7. Marlene – Hittin’ Me Where It Hurts
8. Lily – Tenkini Naare (天気になあれ)

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