
Hatsumi Shibata, known for "Singer Lady" (and Wamono enthusiasts surely know she’s more than just that), released her album "Show Me the Way" in 1981.
The cover has a somewhat unsophisticated feel (perhaps due to the poor photo composition? The back cover looks better), but it was recorded in LA with local musicians like Abraham Laboriel and Ernie Watts, and arranged by Toshiyuki Kimori, known for composing Hiromi Iwasaki’s "Madonna-tachi no Lullaby"
Starting with the cool title track with English lyrics by Casey Rankin, the album includes the mid-dancer A2 "Remind Me" which features nice brass and guitar cutting in the intro, and a superb electric piano break. It also features the urban mellow "Mr. Blue" written by Kazuko Kobayashi and Tsunehiro Izumi, and B3 "Party Is Over" with a kayou-style melody and tight, sophisticated backing performance. This song was coupled with the title track on a 7-inch single and recommended by "Wamono A to Z" magazine. The album contains nine excellent tracks in total!
ケーシー・ランキンによる英詩がクールなタイトル曲にはじまり、イントロのブラスとギターカッティングからナイスで、ブレイクのエレピも秀逸なミッド・ダンサーのA2「Remind Me」~小林和子/和泉常寛作のアーバン・メロウの「Mr. Blue」、タイトル曲の
7吋にカップリングされ
「和モノA to Z」 誌でもレコメンされた歌謡テイストのメロディと洗練されたバックの演奏もタイトなB3「Party Is Over」等、ナイスな全9曲を収録!
Hatsumi Shibata (しばたはつみ) – Show Me The Way ’81 ColumbiaA1.
Show Me The WayA2. Remind Me
A3. Mr. Blue
A4. "Love" That's What Everything Made Of
A5. Mittz
B1.
Life Os A CarnivalB2. Fallin' Is Over
B3.
Party Is OverB4. Last Story
Credit;
Alto Sax Solo - Ernie Watts
Arranged By - Toshiyuki Kimori
Backing Vocals - Ron Hicklin Group
Basses - Abraham Laboriel & Niel Stubenhaus
Bariton Sax - Jackie Kelso
Drums - Rick Schlosser
Flugelhorn Solo - Chuck Findley
Produced By - Ken Okada
Strings - Sid Sharp Group
Tenor Sax - Terry Harrington
Tromborns - Lew Mccreary & Tommy Sheparo
Trumpets - Bill Peterson, Chuck Findley & Larry Hall