Maki Asakawa was a Japanese jazz and blues singer, lyricist, and composer. Born in January 27, 1942 in Ishikawa-ken and died January 17, 2010 in Nagoya. She was an important voice of the Japanese urban counterculture. She became popular in the 1970s and had more than 30 releases by the end of the 1990s. Asakawa collaborated with musicians such as Yosuke Yamashita and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

• Limited Edition
• HMV Record Shop Japan
• Made In Japan

An unusual mid 80s set from Maki Asakawa – one that follows some of the moody styles that she was really digging into at the time, but which also brings in a touch of American soul – thanks in part to work from bassist Bobby Watson, and drummer Cecil Moore – who also seems to do a bit of singing on the set as well!

As before, most lyrics are in Japanese, but there's a few English moments that we think are coming from Moore – although these are sometimes also set off by some darker guitar lines that almost feel like they're from the Bill Laswell side of the spectrum. As usual, Maki's music is tough to describe in words, but every bit as compelling as the years go on – on titles that include "Music Love", "Dreamtime", "Zero Hour", and "Here To Stay".

Track Listing:

A1. Keep On Keep On
A2. Melancholy
A3. Spilling Golden Sand - Dreamtime
A4. Free Range
A5. Music Love

B1. I Want To Travel In You
B2. Because You Tell Me To Sing The Old Blues
B3. Zero Hour
B4. "Here To Stay

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫