We have already touched on a few names more or less known by city-pop fans: Yamashita Tatsuro, ANRI, Ohashi Junko, Omega Tribe… Today, we make you discover a lesser known artist, with very diverse songs, and a discography that we recommend you to listen to !
Hitomi “Penny” Tohyama (当山 ひとみ)
Born on December 28th Okinawa, Tohyama Hitomi ( 当山 ひとみ ) spent her college years at Okinawa until the second year, then itched at the Oakland High School aux United States until the end of high school.
Although her mother is from Okinawa her father, sister and friends all spoke English around her. Therefore, she did not master Japanese well until her early days and did not plan to sing in this language.
She had never considered becoming a singer, it was her sister who performed on stage. One day, while attending a concert of his sister in a music club, Hitomi was encouraged by the public to go on stage. Hesitating, she will perform the famous Jazz standard Sunny, and immediately conquered the audience. At the age of 18, she joined her sister’s band, singing one song per set (Michael Jackson’s – “Ben”). Then, she will integrate a choir (“Street Girl” then “Joy”) which took again famous pieces. Later, this group merged with another set of musicians.
A producer tried to recruit for two years Hitomi Tohyama to embark on a solo career. She hesitated, fearing to sing in Japanese, (until then, she did covers in English) Finally, she agreed. That’s the song “My Guy“which will be sent as a Demo, which was appreciated by the label Columbia (Columbia Japan not to be confused with Columbia Records).
Good Song (SO MANY TIMES) (Single – 1981)
However, the producer Kanmatsu Mitsuoshi advised her : « You can always sing in English, but if you sing in Japan, start by singing in Japanese. » She made her debut in 1981 with « ドア越しの Good Song » at Japan Columbia, with Japanese lyrics written by Kanmatsu (under the pseudonym of Hikaru Kuraichi).
Just Call Me Penny (1981)
The album that follows really sounds J-pop although some songs saw more Groove/Jazz like Rainy Driver’s or Midnight Express or San Francisco Oakland. A quite varied album, very well produced, and a very good vocal mastery of Hitomi Tohyama who really turns out to be a great singer.
In addition to the musicians with whom she was already playing, other session members were added. Notably Will Lee’s, having worked with Tatsuro Yamashita mariah Carey, George Benson, B. B. King, Cat Stevens,Ringo Starr, Cyndi Lauper, James Brown, Cher, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross.. Jake Concepcionnicknamed “King of Sax”, having worked with ANRI, Miki Matsubara, Meiko Nakahara, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Masayoshi Takanaka, Seiko Matsuda, Kingo Hamada, Yoshino Fujimal, Casiopea, Taeko Ohnuki, Kengo Kurozumi, Bread And Butters, Shogun…
Heart Full Of L. A. Mind (1982)
A good album that takes over, always with one side J-pop accompanied by a groovy rhythmic.
For the musician who contributed to the album, the list is impressive. In particular, the presence of Makoto Matsushita (Read here) and of Yoshino Fujimaru (Read here) both of them having formed AB’s, and which we had already talked about on previous blog posts.
The excellent “Next Door” (1983)
Before we present this album, know that in reality, it had to be called “Girl Next Door”, but the title was shortened to Next Door.
On this album, the funk and Jazz turn is starting ! We can finally really talk about City-Pop! EXOTIC YOKOGAO offers us a resolutely disco entry into the 80s just like Love Is The Competition.
The title of the album is TEARDROPS ROMANCE, with its sounds both joyful and melancholic. The emotion of the song is very strong, and we can say that we are not very far from Stay With Me de Matsubara Miki !
The album ends with a beautiful song OUR LOVELY DAYS sung fully in English ! Her mastery of Shakespeare’s language is irreproachable !
The iconic “Sexy Robot” (1983)
Here we ar e! Definitely the most artistically produced album. The first part of the album (the famous “A side” of vinyls!) is Disco/Funk oriented, While the “B side” is more pop oriented.
We find again Makoto Matsushita on guitar in some of the songs:
- Wanna Kiss’s
- Tuxedo Connection
- We Are In The Dark
- CATHY
- Slow Love’s
There is much to say: Sexy Robot iconic title with its vocoder, bass synthesizer and choristers We are in the Dark makes think of Noriyo Ikeda and tube Dream In The Street. In fact, the simplest thing is that you will immediately listen to this jewel !
Pennys Five (1985)
Just as ANRI a turn closer to the style of Madonna operates. The album offers Walker, with a resolutely disco intro!
Human Voice (1985)
A very good album. One of the striking songs is “Tsumi” (Sin, “sin” in English), which is very reminiscent of the hit “Dance” from Shogo Hamada. “Tsumi” is composed by Sato Ken the main composer (and husband) of Junko Ohashi (note that he also composed for Miki Matsubara).
HELLO ME (1986)
This time, we are offered an album quite pop and quite quiet
One Scene (1987)
An album with posed and sought-after sounds. As the cover of the album suggests, some songs would be very suitable for some movies !
Imagination (1988)
An album with a more modern sound, but still excellent bass lines and some funky guitars !
Watch Out (1988 album)
An album with a little more energetic songs, including September Rainr (no, not the song of Matsushita Makoto !) and You Are Ectasy.
After 5:00 Story (1989)
A very nice album with nice pop songs see Jazzy. We recommend the song “Where the Boys Are“
Munasawagi (胸さわぎ) (1992)
In the continuity of AFTER 5:00 Story, an album that mixes pop and jazz sounds.
Lovers in New York (1993)
An album oriented Jazz. Introduction with In New York is just perfect, which is followed by an excellent surprise, that we let you discover ! On this album, we find Jazz songs, but also quite a lot of popular songs from the 80s, even from B.O film. A true tribute to a part of American music culture !
The compilations
A little word about compilations to be sure to find it.
On The Radio (1982)
We imagine that this compilation includes the main titles broadcast on Japanese radio. Exit just before Next Door (1983), it already integrates Lovely Days.
- Polaroid (Just Call Me Penny)
- My Guy (Cafe Sign) (Just Call Me Penny)
- Don’t Stop The Music (Heart Full of L. A. Mind)
- Air Mail (Heart Full of L. A. Mind)
- Midnight Express (Just Call Me Penny)
- SFO-Oakland (Just Call Me Penny)
- Our Lovely Days (Next Door)
- So Many Times (Just Call Me Penny)
- Call Me (Heart Full of L. A. Mind)
Gallery of compilations :
Interview in English and concerts!
With the resurgence of city-pop, the Columbia label launched J-DIGS, a project with the aim of promoting (via Youtube/Spotify and social networks) Japanese artists at Columbia. We find in particular Sakamoto Ryuichi, Sato Hiroshi and excellent Kurozumi Kengo.
We find Tohyama Hitomi in an interview on Youtube :
Concerts & tour
Recently, recently Tohyama Hitomi has reformed a group around her, with whom she regularly gives concerts in the jazz Club de Tokyo and du Japan. They also tour in China.
Success in china
Tohyama Hitomi ( 当山瞳 ) has actually become quite famous in China in recent years, especially thanks to the craze for City Pop and vaporwave culture. His iconic song “Cathy” (released in 1983) was a huge success on Chinese platforms like NetEase Cloud Music, with over 600,000 likes.
Sources:
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BD%93%E5%B1%B1%E3%81%B2%E3%81%A8%E3%81%BF
https://jpop.fandom.com/wiki/Tohyama_Hitomi
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