Sunshower is the second solo album by Taeko Ohnuki (now Onuki), released on Panam on 25 July 1977. Arranged entirely by Ryuichi Sakamoto and anchored by Stuff drummer Chris Parker, it sold poorly on release but is now regarded as one of the landmarks of city pop.[1]
Background
Following her debut Grey Skies (1976), Ohnuki and producer Seiji Kuniyoshi aimed for a more crossover sound.[1] After seeing the jazz-funk band Stuff at the April 1977 Rolling Coconut Revue, Kuniyoshi negotiated on the spot to bring drummer Chris Parker to Tokyo for 26 days, so Sakamoto had to finish every arrangement in advance; it was the fastest album Ohnuki ever made.[1]
Recording
Sessions ran from 13 May to 6 June 1977 at Sound City and Crown Studio. Alongside Sakamoto and Parker, the players included Haruomi Hosono, Kazumi Watanabe, Shigeru Suzuki and Tatsuo Hayashi, with Tatsuro Yamashita on backing vocals.[1] Ohnuki later recalled that the label was lukewarm and her management dissolved around this time, leaving her to work closely with Sakamoto.[1]
Reception and revival
Sunshower was a commercial failure and Ohnuki’s last original album for Panam.[1] Its reputation grew steadily: Red Bull Music Academy Daily called it a landmark of the new music era, and international interest rose with vaporwave and future funk.[1] It has been reissued many times, including a 2020 gatefold double LP on Crown.[1]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side A | |||
| 1. | “Summer Connection”サマー・コネクションsingle, 5 Jul 1977 (different arrangement) | 4:29 | |
| 2. | “Kusuri wo Takusan”くすりをたくさん | 4:07 | |
| 3. | “Nani mo Iranai”何もいらない | 4:00 | |
| 4. | “Tokai”都会 | 5:09 | |
| 5. | “Karappo no Isu”からっぽの椅子 | 5:35 | |
| Side B | |||
| 6. | “Law of Nature” | 3:46 | |
| 7. | “Dare no Tame ni”誰のために | 5:30 | |
| 8. | “Silent Screamer” | 3:31 | |
| 9. | “Sargasso Sea” | 2:46 | |
| 10. | “Furiko no Yagi”振子の山羊 | Ryuichi Sakamoto | 5:40 |
All tracks written by Taeko Ohnuki and arranged by Ryuichi Sakamoto, except where noted.
Personnel
- Taeko Ohnuki – vocals, co-producer
- Ryuichi Sakamoto – keyboards, arrangements, musical direction
- Chris Parker, Shuichi Murakami, Tatsuo Hayashi – drums
- Haruomi Hosono, Tsugutoshi Goto, Akihiro Tanaka – bass
- Kazumi Watanabe, Shigeru Suzuki, Kenji Ohmura, Tsunehide Matsuki, Kohichi Hara – guitar
- Nov Saitoh – percussion
- Yasuaki “Sec” Shimizu – saxophone
- Tatsuro Yamashita – backing vocals
References
- “Sunshower (Taeko Ohnuki album)”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
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