Various - ALFA/YEN Records 1980-1987: Techno Pop and Other Electronic Adventures in Tokyo Vinyl LP

Recording technology was completely revolutionized in the 80s by the multitrack recorder, with the popularity of 24-channel SSL consoles sweeping the world. Japanese pop music created during this wave of digital improvement is now recognized worldwide as "City Pop." Techno Pop was another offshoot born of the same revolution. Precise, computer-controlled beats produced by groups like Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) introduced a different type of sound to the masses. By now, these works have been brought into the international limelight and continue to be a major influence on today's music.


At the center of Tokyo’s Techno Pop scene was ALFA/YEN Records. The label left behind an impressive body of work, but much of it wasn't made widely available... until now! This new, definitive compilation focuses on the music archives of the YEN Records catalog, available for the first time exclusively at Light in the Attic. This is a true celebration of Japan's Techno Pop scene of the 80s, reissued with the intent that future generations, internationally, will be able to discover, enjoy, and appreciate ALFA/YEN and its significant contributions to the sonic landscape of the 80s and beyond.

The label was established by Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in May 1982, within Alfa Records. For Haruomi Hosono, it was a long-awaited label driven by producers and artists, and for Yukihiro Takahashi, he enjoyed experimenting with his works at a private studio. The label continued to release high-quality works not just by YMO and related artists but also unique artists such as Hajime Tachibana and Jun Togawa, and cutting-edge bands such as Testpattern and Interior. Unfortunately, the label ended in May 1985, but its success led to a later boom in indie labels, and it continues to have a profound impact on Japanese music.

1 SEOUL MUSIC - YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA

2 ZOOT KOOK - SANDII

3 Sakisaka to Momonai No Gokigen Ikaga One Two Three - You An’ Me Orgasmus Orchestra

4 Drip Dry Eyes - Yukihiro Takahashi

5 SUKI-SUKI-DAISUKI - Jun Togawa

6 Parallelisme - Miharu Koshi

7 Bikkuri Party No Theme - Haruomi Hosono & Yukihiro Takahashi

8 Sakasa Kenjin Eagas - Apogee & Perigee

9 Yumemiru Yakusoku - Haruomi Hosono

10 ROCK - Hajime Tachibana

11 riot In Lagos - Ryuichi Sakamoto

12 Radarman - Jun Togawa

13 Platonic - Haruomi Hosono

14 BEAT THE RAP- Super Eccentric Theater

15 Rap Phenomena - YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA

16 LEXINGTON QUEEN - Ryuichi Sakamoto

17 Chanel No #5 No On The Rock - Sheena

18 Beach Girl - TESTPATTERN

19 FLASHBACK - Yukihiro Takahashi

20 Automne Dans Un Miroir - Tamao Koike

21 Ascending - INTERIOR