Once again, Japanese crossover/fusion is heating up. As a development or spin-off from the global reappraisal boom of city pop, Japanese fusion has rapidly risen back into the spotlight since around last year.

This is the first album released by world-renowned Japanese trumpeter Terumasa Hino after moving to the up-and-coming label Who-Ring, then under Toshiba EMI (now Universal Music). Produced in part by Lalah, the gifted artist who later provided major hits for Whitney Houston, the album takes on the cutting-edge, danceable urban contemporary sound emerging from New York at the time.

The album includes vocal tracks with Lalah taking the lead, making it one of the most accessible and pop-friendly entries in Hino’s extensive discography, appealing equally to pop music fans. At the same time, Hino’s cornet and flugelhorn lines interwoven with the choruses are deeply expressive, leaving a lasting impression with their rich, glossy tone. As 1980s sounds continue to be reappraised today, this is an album well worth revisiting. (Original release: 1988)

Remastering & cutting: Katsutoshi Kitamura (Mixer’s Labo)

LP pressed on Pure vinyl
Originally released in 1988
Produced in part by Lalah, the gifted artist who later provided major hits for Whitney Houston

Terumasa Hino - Detour (Vinyl)