Hiroshi Sato was a Japanese keyboardist, singer-songwriter and session player whose album Awakening (1982) — built largely on an early Linn LM-1 drum machine — is regarded by collectors as one of the most adventurous records of the city pop era.[1][2]
Session work
Born in Chiran, Kagoshima, in 1947, Sato took up piano at 20 and became one of Tokyo’s most in-demand keyboard players.[1] He played on Ohtaki’s Niagara Moon, Hosono’s tropical trilogy, early Minako Yoshida albums and Tatsuro Yamashita’s Ride on Time (1980).[2] He declined an invitation to join Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978.[1]
Awakening
Signing to Alfa on his return to Japan, Sato released Awakening on 25 June 1982, credited as “featuring Wendy Matthews”, whose English-language vocals appear on several tracks.[1][2] Most backing tracks were programmed on a Linn LM-1; engineer Shuichi Murakami reportedly could not believe the drums on “You’re My Baby” were machine-made.[2] A remastered reissue followed in 2005.[2]
Later life
Sato kept recording through the 1990s, ending with Oracle (1996) before a long hiatus, and died in Yokohama in 2012, aged 65.[1]
Discography
Main articles: Awakening
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Super Market | Nippon Columbia |
| 1977 | Time | — |
| 1979 | Orient | — |
| 1982 | Awakening | Alfa |
| 1984 | Sailing Blaster | — |
| 1985 | This Boy | — |
| 1986 | Sound of Science | — |
| 1987 | Future File | — |
| 1988 | Aqua | — |
| 1989 | Touch the Heart | — |
| 1990 | Good Morning | — |
| 1991 | Self Jam | — |
| 1993 | Happy & Lucky | — |
| 1995 | All of Me | — |
| 1996 | Oracle | — |
References
- “Hiroshi Sato (musician)”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- “佐藤博 (ミュージシャン)”. Wikipedia (Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2026.
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