The Pen Friend Club-Songularity

Songularity is the 2nd album of all-originals from the Japanese group that arguably understands and plays American pop better than most American outfits. Their core sound which can be described as “Land of the rising sunshine pop meets California color” has earned them a devoted world-wide following. This double album of 20 songs has the ability to expand their audience even further. Songularity radiates the widest-array of styles of all of their 10 albums by spreading out the writing duties. What other 21st-century groups have been operating at the high-level standards of the mid-60s for 10 albums over 15 years?  

 

Shade
After the opening statement of “Harbinger," Niina's vocals take on a tinge of Toni Tennille of Captain & Tennille on “Got to Be Rock and Roll.” (The octet has entered a different phase this decade as the lead singer role has transitioned from Megumi to Niina.)  Next up is “Never Let You Go” that begs the question if the title was influenced by “Never Let Her Go” by David Gates? Nonetheless, it brings to mind Quincy Jones' productions of Lesley Gore, the theatrical stagings of Tchotchke and the mirage of Van Dyke Parks’ “Palm Desert.” With its exquisite arrangement and full bloom harmonies, it also sounds like it could have been culled from one the Best of Pied Piper Days volumes. The sophistication continues on “Begin Tomorrow” that falls into the Sunflower/Surf's Up/Spring-era of brother Brian. “Thelma” has immediate appeal with its blend of Bangles-ish pure pop combined with the '80s Americana of Lone Justice. Be sure to listen to the splendid banjo solo played by Yuichi Hirakawa. One of Disc 1's peak moments is “The National Bird” which allows the album to achieve lift off and soar with its ascending sound of anticipation and excitement as their sound heads off to new destinations. Additionally, its brisk pace unfurls to show off its vibrant and intricate arrangements. This could have been/or could be a Stereolab song and incorporates Eisako Otani’s tenor sax, which has always paired well with Pen Friend Club songs. The joyous “Really Feel” has all the catchiness of a TV theme song, while also somehow recalling Taeko Ohnuki’s Sunshower and the radiant Beach Boys-ish backing vocals heard on Brian Wilson’s first solo album on Sire. The striking “Die Alone,” composed by Rie Nishioka, evokes Brewer & Shipley (e.g., “I Can’t See Her”) with Alan Price of the Animals settling in on keyboards. 

Sunlight
Keyboard player Soi offers “Merry-Go-Round” which turns out to be one of the most instantly catchy songs in the PFC catalogue. “You’re the One 1965” seems like Spiral Staircase’s "More Today Than Yesterday” picnicking with “Does Anyone Reallly Know What Time It Is?” by Chicago, but belted out by Carol Connors. “Breaking Up” reopens the Brill Building as heard through retro Japanese sounds of the ‘80s like CONNY(ex.THE VENUS). "In Your Light" and “Little Life” both have a contemporary vibe, but meaning a Carly Simon/Carole King/Allee Willis kind of contemporary played on a silver stereo system between wicker furniture and under skylights, wood beams and hanging fern plants. One of the album’s deepest cuts that draws the listener in is the understated “For It’s Worthwhile.” Rie Nishioka’s composition is embellished with a banjo like those heard in those lavish and layered productions of Kaoru Sudo (須藤薫). “California Again” seems obviously inspired by the Beach Boys’ “Do It Again,” which we know as the Beach Boys rewriting the Beach Boys and always seems to work in getting listeners instantly in a good mood.  With its back to basics approach, “California Again” works on the same level. The country sounds of “Promise” is not surprising given the wide-ranging listening habits of such a large group, but it's still their first recorded foray into country. This ambling number is lead singer Niina’s composition and features an appealing twanging guitar (Fender Telecaster?) played by Yuichi Hirakawa. The title track “Songularity” is a lovely Pet Sounds-like instrumental that also reaches the musical shores of Eiichi Ohtaki and Tarao Bannai Gakudan (多羅尾伴内楽団).

Over the course of 20 songs, there is a lot to take in, but Songularity has a flow and arc to it due to its sequencing and interconnectedness. Its stylistic diversity offers several entry points for new followers, while also accommodating their long-time listeners. Guided by their collective musical knowledge, melodic instincts and togetherness, the group has maintained their sound & style based on mid-60s West Coast pop-rock, while also exploring a wider array of musical realms and sonic dimensions. Overall, Songularity is the sound of the Pen Friend Club moving forward towards their Pacific-spanning dreams.

平川雄一 Yuichi Hirakawa (guitar), そい Soi (keyboards) , 西岡利恵 Rie Nishioka (bass), Niina (lead singer), 大谷英紗子 Asako Otani (sax),中川ユミ Yumi Nakagawa (glockenspiel), 
祥雲貴行 Takayuki Sakumo (drums), リカ Ricca (acoustic guitar)
photo by 鈴木祐子 Yuko Suzuki 

Gilberto with Turrentine

For years I have enjoyed The Astrud Gilberto Album ever since finding it for a buck in dusty Quartzsite, AZ. Last fall, I gave Stanley Turrentine’s laudable Salt Sea a new home after coming across it at a neighborhood garage sale in a moving box of ‘70s common stock.  I recently learned that their musical paths converged and they collaborated together on this 1971 album that was later reissued on compact disc in 1988 and 2003.  This 2003 remastered version from Sony Legacy is augmented with three bonus tracks. The lush, sweeping and textured production makes Creed Taylor’s presence immediately felt and heard, while Eumir Deodato’s adept, curvilinear and elastic arrangements gives the recording an ahead of its time feel.  Not only does the album come across as a precursor to the schematics of Stereolab and the High Llamas, but vibrant songs like “Traveling Light” and “Just Like You” sound like they could have even sprung forward onto a Stereolab album from 1996 or a Laetitia Sadier album from 2012.

Pinball Bumper Basslines
Overall, the album is not a strict showcase of Gilberto and Turrentine, but a diversified collection held together by a top-flight combination of American and Brazilian musicians. They present a panoramic sound by overlapping jazz and samba and successfully stretching their possibilities. Furthermore, their first-rate musicianship provides a solid foundation to counterbalance Astrud’s airy vocals. Her delicate voice slides over the pinball bumper basslines of Ron Carter and glides over Eumir Deodato’s Fender Rhodes piano. (BTW-Eumir Deodato is currently Justin Bieber’s grandfather-in-law.) On the opening and closing songs, both composed by Bacharach-David, Astrud’s soothing voice breezes over the warm guitar tones of Gene Bertoncini (Notre Dame class of ‘59). On adventurous songs like “Ponteio,” Turrentine’s tenor saxophone arrives on the forefront and then recedes to accompany Astrud’s vocals delivered in her rhythmic Portuguese.  Turrentine is later given the limelight on the instrumental “Vera Cruz" and the original "Mr. T" releases a sound imbued with poise and dexterity.

Poly High
The bonus track “Polytechnical High” sounds like one of those mechanical songs that the warped Brian Wilson wrote in the ‘70s in exchange for a brown bag of unhealthy substances.  Upon further exploration, the quirky song was first released by Harpers Bizarre in 1970 with writing credits going to Nilsson. Gilberto with Turrentine has the crossover appeal and variety to where far-flung listeners of easy listening, bossa nova/samba, Latin jazz, sunshine/soft pop, Shibuya-kei, soundtracks or jet set pop all could easily find something to suit their individual musical needs, while also being a captivating listen in its entirety.