Reflections by Akira Terao - 1981

Eichi Ohtaki's (大瀧 榮一) A Long Vacation is considered one of the most iconic J-Pop albums ever released. It made a big splash when it was released in 1981 as one of the first albums ever released on CD. On top of that, it's considered Ohtaki's greatest work and it influenced many artists that came after and worked under him. Yet somehow, in 1981 it beat out of the number one spot on the Oricon Charts by one particular record; Reflections by Akira Terao. Terao's first album under Toshiba EMI (now known as EMI Music Japan Inc.) was not only the top-selling album of that year but the entire decade in Japan, even beating out Michel Jackson's Thriller! What makes him so special?

        THE HISTORY

Well, Akira Terao (寺尾聰) happens to be a multitalented superstar with a long and varied career as a musician, actor, TV personality, and singer-songwriter.  He started as a bassist with the Group Sounds band, The Savage, in 1965. After group sounds transitioned out of popularity, Terao went solo and released his debut album in 1970 titled Futari no Fuusen ~ Koibito to Issho ni Kiite Kudasai (A Balloon For Two ~ Please Listen Together With A Lover). Later on, he became known for his work in television, most notably as the star detective in the police drama Seibu Keisatsu (西部警察/ "West Division Police") between 1979 and 1982. However, it wouldn't be until 1981 that he would return to the music scene for his second solo album.

For Reflections, all the composition was done by Terao himself while the arrangement was handled by Akira Inoue(井上鑑), who also played keyboards. Lyrics were handled by Masako Arikawa (有川 正沙子) and former Happy End drummer, Takashi Matsumoto (松本隆). Other notable musicians include fusion guitarist Masaki Matsubara (松原正樹), former Tin Pan Alley drummer Tatsuo Hayashi (林 立未), percussionist Nobu Saito(斉藤信男), and alto sax player Hidefumi Toki (土岐英史), who's known for his work on Tatsuro Yamashita's albums. The string arrangement was handled by the Joe Ensemble and the Tomato Strings Group.

During the production of the album, Akira Terao was still extremely busy shooting for Seibu Keisatsu. The photo for the album cover had to be taken in the middle of the studio corridor where he was filming. The word "Love" written with the cigarette lighter was captured using particular lighting and a camera trick that utilized timed closing of the shutters. 

Reflections was released under Toshiba EMI on became the No. 1 album of the year, selling 1.6 million copies. It occupied the No. 1 weekly position from April 13 to June 29. Three songs from the album ranked in the Top 100 Oricon charts. Ruby no Yubiwa was the number 1 single of 1981, garnered 3 prizes at the year-end Japan Record Awards, and earned Terao his invitation to perform at the annual NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red & White Singing Contest). It was also used in various TV commercials, most notably for Yokohama Tires. Shadow City was the second single to make the Oricon charts at number 19, and the 3rd, Sasurai, came at number 47.

THE MUSIC

• 
  Habana Express: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• The opening number is a high-tempo, tropical disco track with some cool synths and funky guitars.
• 渚のカンパリ・ソーダ (Nagisa no Campari Soda) | Campari Soda on the Beach: ⭐⭐⭐
• A typical 60s surf rock-inspired track about hanging out with your girlfriend at the beach.
• 喜望峰 (Kibō-hō/Cape of Good Hope): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A mellow reggae-inspired groove sprinkled with smooth, yacht rock guitar riffs.
• 二季物語 (Niki Monogatari / Story of two Seasons): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• The longest track on the album, but still one of the most memorable as the melody is tied to the theme of the song. Its starts off as a slow ballad, complete with somber violins and a trumpet solo. Then in the second half, the tempo shifts into an upbeat strut with some bluesy piano playing and smooth sax playing spread throughout.
• ルビーの指環 (Ruby no Yubiwa/ Ruby Ring): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• A quintessential  AOR track with a very Japanese melody that tells the story of a broken relationship, with the man crying over his ex's ruby ring which she had returned to him. 
• Shadow City: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• An urban lullaby with a cool bossa nova-influenced melody, featuring a very relaxing acoustic guitar juxtaposed against more energetic electric guitar riffs. 
• 予期せぬ出来事 (Yokisenu Dekigoto / Unexpected Event): ⭐⭐⭐
• A much brighter sounding track on the record. Featuring a funky bassline and a jazzy female backing chorus.
• ダイヤルM (Dial M): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• An upbeat soft rock track with jazzy flutes and groovy synthesizers influenced by Latin dance rhythms.
• 北ウィング (Kita Wing): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
•  A bluesy rock ballad about a broken-hearted man watching as his former lover flys away from him at the airport.
• 出航 Sasurai (Shukkou-Sasurai / Leaving Port, Wandering): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Another bluesy ballad with more dreamy synths and a soothing string arrangement. 

THE VERDICT ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I remember reading an article written by kayokyoku expert, J-Cannuck, who had mentioned that Reflections is quite possibly the most Japanese-sounding City Pop album. I didn't quite understand the statement at first, considering, that most if not all City Pop are Japanese, to begin with. But coming back to this album after experiencing a vast amount of different Japanese music, I finally understand. While the arrangements are definitely very Westcoast AOR, there's plenty of melodic guitar riffs, smooth baselines, with the occasional sax solo. 

The actual compositions, with the exception of the 2nd track, are much more akin to the likes of Mood Kayo, which was the dominant form of popular music back in the 50s & 60s, and has roots in enka and Latin rhythms (bossa nova, samba, and salsa). I think that might be a big reason why Reflections was such a hit, it was able to appeal to a generation who grew up listening to artists like Frank Nagai, while still having a more modern, urban contemporary feel. As a result of its Mood-kayo influence, the album has an overall somber feel to it with every song either being about heartbreak or memories of past love. Terao's smooth deep voice really helps cement the melancholy and sophisticated feel of this album. 

City Pop and J-AOR is something that already benefits from the novelty of being wester style music sung in Japanese, but Reflections is unique in that it is a City Pop album that still retains a strong Japanese influence, which I think sets it apart from most of its contemporaries. I think City Pop fans who are looking for something drastically different from what they are used to will find Akira Terao's Reflections extremely satisfying to listen to.