Who are you Yoshino Fujimal ?

After Matsushita Makoto,it’s time to talk about his sidekick from the band AB’s. So this is the career of Fujimal Yoshino ( 芳野藤丸 ) that we will explore today. Slightly older (4 years older), his apparent phlegm nevertheless confers someone creative, productive and talented !

Beginnings and training of Yoshino Fujimal

Fujimaru Yoshino, born 1951 in Hokkaido he began playing the violin at the age of three. During elementary school, he became familiar with rock and roll music, especially with artists like Elvis Presley’s and Ricky Nelson’s. After graduating from Hakodate school he spent 10 months traveling the west coast of the United States before returning to Japan and enrolling in college.

In 1970, entering university in Tokyo Fujimaru Yoshino also infiltrated the music scene and was particularly interested in British rock. He formed a group called “WISH” with other students and performed in a disco at Akasaka. His guitar skills exceeded the level of a typical group of students. They attracted the attention of Kato Kazuhiko, which earned him an invitation from the musician Is☆Hiro join the professional world of music.

加藤和彦 Kazuhiko Kato Gardenia Cover Art — Kazuhiko Kato (1978)

Fujimaru Yoshino began his musical career in 1972 as a member of the Flying Space Band of Tsunoda Hiro (角田博民 ). In 1973, he formed the Fujimaru Band, which then became the official live band of the idol superstar Hideki Saijo (西城秀樹 ). The Fujimaru Band released his only album, titled BGM in 1977, then disbanded soon after.

yoshino_fujimaru_band_hideki_saijo — *1977 – Fujimaru Band – BGM*

In 1979, Fujimaru Yoshino sang the theme of TV-Drama 俺たちは天使だ! (“We are angels!”) with the single 男達のメロディ (“Male Melody”) of his group SHOGUN.

SHOGUN

SHOGUN it was formed in 1978 when Fujimaru Yoshino, with a group of talented studio musicians, created the band under the name of One Line Band and released the album Yellow Magic’s. The album has sounds Rock, Jazz, funk. In short, the beginnings of what will produce. Fujimaru Yoshino later !

In 1979, the group was renamed SHOGUN when they have been designated by Iida Noriko from japanese TV Music as musical directors of the television drama! (“We are angels!”). With the addition of Casey Rankin’s, the group recorded the tube 男達のメロディ (“Male Melody”) which sold more than 500,000 copies and propelled them to fame.

Casey Rankin Shogun's — *Casey Rankin’s*

They continued to gain recognition by composing the music of various dramas and anime. Here are also some albums of the band to listen to:

Shogun Yoshino Fujimal Rotation — 1979 – Rotation

Shogun Yoshino Fujimal You Are The One — 1980 – You’re the one

In the 1980s, however SHOGUN appeared on the American television show American Bandstand and even participated in movies like (Happiness Sail’s). Although the band disbanded and reformed several times, they reunited in 1997 with a close-to-the-original lineup, releasing new tracks and performing live. However, internal changes led to a new pause. After 2000, the SHOGUN continued to produce music and perform on stage, although the composition of the band changed significantly.

Who Are You ?

After the exit of “You’re the one” in 1980, Fujimaru Yoshino refine his solo project. A little more style and more intimate songs. Who Are You? released in 1982.

The project will go even further with an album finally quite similar released a year later : Romantic Guys. He will have the support of the producer/musician David Foster’s and guitarist Robben Ford’s.

Yoshino Fujimal Fujimaru Who Are You City Pop Makoto Matsushita Discog Vinyl — 1982 – Who Are You ?

Yoshino Fujimaru Romantic Guys — 1983 – Romantic Guys

In 2018 Fujimal Yoshino release another album: What’s up?

Whats Up Yoshino Fujimal — *2018 – What’s Up?*

The style remains very similar, and there is even a new version of the song Destination of AB’s… uh wait, but we still haven’t talked about AB’s ??!!!?

AB’s, the band with Makoto Matsushita

In 1982, Fujimal Yoshino recruits Matsushita Makoto after listening First Light. The group will be called AB’s (pronounced “Ay Biz”)

First Light, the flagship album of Matsushita Makoto

A slew of albums (at least 7) will come out of this collaboration. The first 4 albums are small jewels that we recommend !

Studio musician

Just as Matsushita Makoto, Fujimal Yoshino worked in collaboration with a lot of artists. Whether on guitar, voice, arrangement, or composition. Non-exhaustive list :