Awakening Special Edition (Clear Blue & Aqua Vinyl)

Awakening Special Edition by Hiroshi Sato is a special vinyl release of the acclaimed 1982 album widely regarded as a landmark work in the Japanese city pop genre. Featuring vocals by Wendy Matthews, the album blends sophisticated pop melodies, smooth jazz influences, and electronic production into a timeless listening experience that continues to influence musicians and listeners worldwide.

The 2-disc analog "Awakening special edition," released in 2022 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of "Awakening," is re-released with a new cutting. This is Hiroshi Sato's fourth original album, released in 1982 after his music activities in Los Angeles, and his first album after moving to Alfa Records. Featuring Canadian female vocalist Wendy Matthews and introducing the then-cutting-edge LinnDrum drum machine, it is a work in which Hiroshi Sato's high-quality sound sense and the atmosphere of the American West Coast are beautifully fused. Its mellow & soulful, borderless sound, which makes you feel none of the inorganic quality of programming, is an eternal masterpiece that transcends generations and still greatly influences many musicians today! Tatsuro Yamashita, Tsunehide Matsuki, and Yuji Toriyama participate as guitarists. Disc 1 contains the 1982 original version. Disc 2 contains the Off Vocal Track and Off SE (wave sounds) Track of the vocal songs, as well as "BLUE AND MOODY MUSIC (WENDY'S VERSION)," added for the first CD release in 1986, and a new version of "IT ISN'T EASY" remixed by Hiroshi Sato himself in 2005. This time, with a new cutting by master craftsman Shigeru Takezawa.

Disc 1 is a clear blue vinyl and Disc 2 is an aqua blue vinyl.

FAQs And Guides

Who is Hiroshi Sato?

Hiroshi Sato was a Japanese musician, composer, producer, and keyboardist known for his influential contributions to city pop, jazz-infused pop, and electronic music.

What type of music is included?

The album features a blend of city pop, jazz-pop, soft rock, funk, and electronic influences, creating a smooth and sophisticated sound.

Why is Awakening considered important?

Awakening is widely regarded as one of the defining works of the city pop genre, celebrated for its production quality, songwriting, and lasting influence on Japanese popular music.

Who is this product best suited for?

It is ideal for Hiroshi Sato fans, city pop enthusiasts, Japanese music collectors, and vinyl listeners.

Is this good for gifting?

Yes. It is a great gift for fans of city pop, classic Japanese music, and collectible vinyl records.

Is this item collectible?

Yes. As a special edition release of one of Hiroshi Sato's most acclaimed albums, it is considered highly collectible among city pop fans and vinyl collectors.