AB’s – The fusion of Makoto Matsushita and Yoshino Fujimal

We’ve already talked about Makoto Matsushita and of Yoshino Fujimal in our previous articles, as well as from the group AB’s that they form together. Now is the time to go into detail about the biography and discography of AB’s !

Formation of AB’s and the first 2 albums

AB’s (pronounced “Ay Biz”) was formed in 1982. The members of the group are Fujimaru Yoshino and the musicians from his first solo album released in 1982. Yoshino recruited Matsushita after listening to his first album, “First Light” (1981), and wanted to form a group with him. He also invited Watanabe (Bass) and Okamoto (Drums), former members of the brass-rock band SPECTRUM, as well as Ando (Keyboard) for his talents as a lyricist.

The name of the group comes from the blood types of the members: Yoshino, Matsushita and Watanabe are AB, while Ando and Okamoto are A.

Their promo flyer for the second album showed each member’s blood types. They also thought that starting with “AB” would put them at the top of the catalogs. In 2012, Yoshino discovered that his blood type was not AB but B, after a medical check-up.

Departure of Makoto Matsushita

Makoto Matsushita leaves AB’s in 1984 to found his new progressive rock band: Paradigm Shift. The third album was recorded again in London, with all guitars played by Yoshino Fujimal. The album AB’S-3 and the single CIA. released in 1985.

After three years of interruption, Yoshino Fujimal recorded several songs and released them under the name AB’S-4 in 1988, but with other musicians. The group then stops.

Reformation in 2004

Yoshino Fujimal said that AB’s resumed with the original training. They give a concert and release a limited mini-album, A5B3S (A-go-B-san-zu), as well as a tour in 2004. The mini-album was only sold on the official website and concerts by an independent label.

In 2005 the single “Dead Or Alive“, which is actually a rearrangement of the song “Turquoise Blue” anime Golgo 13 Queen Bee.

Golgo 13 'queen Bee' Turquoise Blue' (original Soundtrack)] — *The Original anime “Golgo 13”*

Golgo13queenbeedvd — The OAV “Queen Bee” in which we find “Turquoise Blue”

New (2005) and Blue (2007)

After this event, AB’s their fifth original album is released New, and toured in the fall of 2005, then a concert in 2006. The title New just mention that it’s a new album. Shortly after AB’s started recording their sixth album, released in 2007. The title of the album, Blue, comes from the color of the album.

AB’s 7 (2020)

The latest album of AB’s is even more discreet. It’s a very “Rock FM” album in the vein of the 80s and rock groups like TOTO. This album can only be found online at Apple Music.