This record marks the final chapter of Minako Yoshida’s work from the 1970s. Released in 1978 as her first album after moving to the Alfa label, "Ai wa Omou Mama (Let’s Do It)" is her debut overseas recording, done in Los Angeles.
The album was produced and arranged by Gene Page and Billy Page, known for their work with the Love Unlimited Orchestra. The participating musicians include David T. Walker and Wah Wah Watson on guitar, and Sylvester Rivers on keyboards. Representing Japan, Tatsuro Yamashita and Ryuichi Sakamoto contributed songs to the album. In conclusion, this album stands alongside "FLAPPER" (1976) as a pinnacle of Japanese soul music, reigning supreme even today. Except for "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love" (A5), a Gene Page composition popularized by Rita Coolidge, all the lyrics were penned by Yoshida herself. The songs "Koi no Tehodoki" (A2), "Ai no Honoo" (B1), and "Kumo no Yukue ni" (B3) were written by Tatsuro Yamashita, while "Kage ni Naritai" (B4) was co-written with Ryuichi Sakamoto. The rest of the compositions are by Yoshida. According to MURO in "Wax Poetic Japan": "The title track 'Ai wa Omou Mama (LET'S DO IT)' always moves the dance floor, and 'Toki yo (TIME)' always brings tears... true classics." --- This translation faithfully conveys the original text's detailed and nuanced appreciation of Minako Yoshida’s album.
70年代
美奈子さん最終章レコード。アルファ移籍第一弾の78年リリース、彼女の初となる海外(LA)録音盤「愛は思うまま (Let’s Do It)」
プロデュース&アレンジはLove Unlimited Orchestra作品でも知られる
ジーン・ペイジ(とビリー・ペイジ)。ミュージシャンでは、ギターでDavid T. Walker に
Wah Wah Watson、キーボードで
シルヴェスター・リバース等が参加。日本勢では、
達郎さんと坂本教授が楽曲を提供しています。
内容の結論から言うと、
「FLAPPER」('76)と双璧を成す、今現在をもってジャパニーズ・ソウルの最高峰に君臨する傑作で、ジーン・ペイジの作詞曲で
Rita Coolidge のヴァージョンで知られるA5「I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love」以外の全作詞を美奈子さん、A2「恋の手ほどき」, B1「愛の炎」, B3「雲のゆくえに」を達郎さんが、B4「影になりたい」が教授との共作、他は作曲も彼女自身によるものです。
「表題曲"愛は思うまま(LET'S DO IT)"はいつもフロアを揺らし、"時よ(TIME)"はいつも泣ける...真のクラシック」
