Nokko - Call Me Nightlife (1993)

I picked up Nokko’s album solely from a review I read in a local newspaper. The review was so strangely yet well written, describing a deep dark dance experience, that I couldn’t resist. And I was not disappointed. The album is pure dance club, with fantastic production by club icons including Deee-Lite’s Towa Tei, St. Etienne and Japanese producer Gota. Apparently Nokko had quite a few hits in Japan before she released this, her only North American album. But like Hiroko (featured in a previous post), her music did not translate to North American audiences. Which is a shame, as there are tons of great songs on this album, which goes from deep house to synth-pop to almost alt-rock. Once again, the voice isn’t fantastic and she could use a few more English lessons, but in this case it adds to the music’s charm. This album has a unique vibe, and I was hoping for a follow-up, but it wasn’t to be… (Though she still records in Japan, so we can’t count out another English album yet.)

Video for I Will Catch U

Download Call Me Nightlife

1		Call Me Nightlife
2		I Will Catch U
3		Seven Ways To Love
4		Oh Yeah
5		No Return
6		Liquid Fire
7		Don't Hold Back
8		Cosmic Sunshine Baby
9		Crazy Clouds
10		Vanity

Hiroko - One In A Million (1989)

A search for "Hiroko music" on the internet brings up many Hirokos, but Hiroko Yakushimaru, apparently a well-known actress and singer in Japan, seems the likeliest to be this Hiroko. If so, the heights that Hiroko reached in Japan were far loftier than those in North America. This was her one and only English-language North American release, and to be frank, it tanked! She had a small dance hit with "My Love's Waiting", but her album came and went without much fanfare, though her handlers were obviously hoping to make Hiroko the first internationally famous Japanese pop star. The production was good enough, very Martika-esque (that name just keeps coming up!) and she even worked on a few tracks with funk/disco legend Preston Glass, so expect funky and hi-NRG pop numbers. But Hiroko really needed to get a better grasp of English to perfect her English singing voice if she wanted North American success. Ah well, if it is indeed the same Hiroko, at least she still has a thriving acting career in Japan!

**UPDATE : Thanks to guest gpa, I have learned that this Hiroko is Hiroko Minato, not Yakushimaru. According to gpa, Minato also did some acting before she turned to singeing, but she was not as successful as Yakushimaru. She recorded 5 albums including a remix one. Apparently her father became a millionaire and spent that money to support her career, but that didn't last long. It's rumoured she's still living a wealthy life in Tokyo as an 'ordinary' woman. Thanks for the info gpa!!

Video for My Love's Waiting

Video for Meet Me At Midnight

Download One In A Million

1		My Love's Waiting
2		That's How I'm Gonna Love You (24-7-365)
3		What's It To Ya
4		Golden Lady
5		Meet Me At Midnight
6		You've Got Potential
7		Tuff
8		Lovestruck
9		Never Give Up
10		One In A Million