TATSURO YAMASHITA – Melodies (1983 / Moon Records MOON-28008, Japan)
Released in 1983, Melodies stands as the defining statement of Tatsuro Yamashita’s career and the broader city pop movement. Recorded entirely under his own production for Smile Co., it’s the album where he perfected the bright and layered studio sound that became his signature. The opener “悲しみのJODY (She Was Crying)” and the year end classic “クリスマス・イブ (Christmas Eve)” showcase both sides of his craft, pop precision and emotional warmth.
This original Moon Records pressing features the striking tricolor design and gatefold lyric layout, which matches the vivid tone of the music itself. Backed by longtime collaborators like Taeko Onuki and arranged with meticulous analog clarity, it’s the kind of record that never feels tied to its era.
Highlights: “Night Fly,” “Blue Midnight,” “Christmas Eve.” Original Japanese issue on Moon Records, catalog MOON-28008.
