Japan Blues
Ikiteru Dake No Koto Nanda (Hardly Living) Agi Jo
Agi Jo, an alias of Yuzuru Agi, kayou pop singer, actor, model and Japanese electronic music pioneer. It’s unlikely the fan-base for his earlier pop outings would appreciate a spiky existential protest song, so Agi pressed 100 copies of the record himself. It was 1970, after he had briefly joined folk harmony pop-rock group The Happenings Four. The single was arranged by band member (now Japanese rock legend) Kuni Kawachi.
Ikiteru…, a nihilistic number, in the vein of underground singer-songwriter Mikami Kan: a pained cry of confused existence, in the darkness of a rapidly modernising world. Weekend Hippy, with a barely in tune harmonica blasted intro, à la Dylan, we have here a comment from the sidelines, on the hippy movement that had spread even to a reasonably conservative country like Japan.
Two songs that express anger, a rejection of accepted norms, both the everyday, and the so-called alternative. A small testament to the character of a near unsung great of new music in Japan.
Pickup available at Glasgow
Usually ready in 24 hours. Unless it's a Pre-Order
Please note that we are a physical record shop so some items may be unsealed but they are unplayed and brand new. If you would really like a sealed copy, please get in touch with us in advance of your purchase.
){kind=link}