Ten classic J-pop albums

Japan produces some truly great music. I collected a few classic albums when I lived there a few years ago. Here's a selection below. Many are essential for fans of contemporary Japanese music, or J-pop.

• Holiday In Hawaii (1967) - Ishikawa Yujiro. The big man takes a vacation in Hawaii and sings ukulele-backed numbers in Japanese, English and Hawaiian!
• Tropical Dandy (1975) - Hosono Haruomi. In which Harry takes a cruise, mixing exotica and Asia to create something fresh, loose and full of sly humour. The follow-up cruise, Bon Voyage Co (1976), is equally as good.
• Blood Line (1980) - Kina Shoukichi and Champloose. Superb songs blending Okinawan and modern instrumentation and recorded with energy and real feeling. 
• Back to the Street (1980) - Sano Motoharu. Exciting debut with a strong set of pop-rock songs displaying some new wave attitude and honesty.
• Japaneska (1990) - The Boom. Exuberant and experimental, mixing elements of ska, pop, and traditional Japanese and Okinawan instruments and melodies.
• Bossanova 2001 (1993) - Pizzicato Five. A Shibuya-kei masterpiece that romps through classic pop styles with wit, sweet melodies and restless energy.
• Kodoku no Taiyo (1994) - Kuwata Keisuke. Big personality and strong vocals over a fine set of songs with slick ear-grabbing arrangements.
• Banzai (1996) - Ulfuls. Energetic guitar-based pop with strong songs, playful humour and real heart. The follow-up, Let's Go (1997), sounds equally fresh and strong.
• Fuzaken Ja Ne (1997) - Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi. Passionate set of songs from a gravel-voiced singer-songwriter over varied and often innovative arrangements.
• May and December (2001) - Great 3. Smooth production and sophisticated textures from a power-pop trio using the studio as an instrument. Not a dud track in sight.