Like many people, we discovered Sachiko Kanenobu’s music via the revelatory Even A Tree Can Shed Tears comp released a couple years ago by Light In The Attic, who have taken on the task of this deluxe reissue of Kanenobu’s 1972 debut album. But Misora transcends any sort of fleeting hype currently surrounding older Japanese music (“wamono”) - modern folk & rock heroes Devendra Banhart, Jim O’Rourke and Steve Gunn have been singing its praises for years. It’s often considered the first female singer-songwriter album in Japan, released on one of Japan’s first indie labels (URC) and produced by the great Haruomi Hosono. Fans of Hosono and Shigeru Suzuki’s early band Happy End eventually find their way to Misora by proxy, as it oozes with the same western folk rock vibes filtered through a distinctly feminine Laurel Canyon-esque prism. Imagine a Japanese Joni Mitchell or slightly more dusty Carole King. For a taste, check out “Anata Kara Toku E (Far Away From You),” “Sora Wa Fukigen (Moody Sky),” “Omae No Hoshii No Wa Nani (What Do You Really Want?)” and the title track. Pressed on gold colored vinyl and housed in deluxe gatefold jacket; the audio has been remastered from the original analog tapes and includes a booklet containing rare photos, translated lyrics and a new interview with Kanenobu. Recommended.

• gold colored vinyl
• indie exclusive
• deluxe gatefold sleeve
• booklet includes rare photos, translated lyrics + new interview with Sachiko Kanenobu
• remastered from the original analog tapes
• music label: Light In The Attic 2019

reviewed by sunrise mart 05/2019