Nobuyuki Shimizu is a multi-instrumentalist arranger and composer, best known for shaping the sound of EPO’s early records and for long partnerships with Chiemi Oe and Airi Hiramatsu.[1][2]
Early career
Shimizu studied piano from childhood and, at Matsubara High School, played in bands with EPO and studied under Naoya Matsuoka. At 17 he joined the Kinokuniya Band, debuting on its album SWEET SENSATION, and afterwards played in the backing band of newcomer Mariya Takeuchi and as a studio musician, also joining Matsuoka’s crossover band MASH.[1]
Arranging
He arranged about half of EPO’s debut album, co-arranged her debut single “DOWN TOWN” with Tetsuji Hayashi, and arranged her hit “U, Fu, Fu, Fu.”[1] He succeeded Kenji Ohmura as Chiemi Oe’s arranger and also worked extensively with Airi Hiramatsu, as well as Yukiko Okada, Miho Nakayama, Tomoyo Harada, MISIA and the Gospellers; in 1983 he arranged the score for the Kadokawa film Tantei Monogatari.[1]
Solo albums
His solo debut Corner Top appeared on King Records in 1980, and Tower Records’ reissue notes call him a genius composer-arranger. It includes a cover of “Konuka Ame,” written by Ginji Ito with lyrics by Tatsuro Yamashita, sung by Shimizu with EPO and Mariya Takeuchi on backing vocals, and “Silver Spot” with EPO on lead.[1][2] A second album, ANYTHING GOES, followed on Warner Pioneer in 1982.[1]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Corner Top (Solo debut) | King Records |
| 1982 | ANYTHING GOES | Warner Pioneer |
Notable songs
- “Konuka Ame” ↗1980
References
- “清水信之”. Wikipedia (Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- “Reissue campaign feature (2013)”. Tower Records Japan. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
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