Akiko Yano holds a unique place in Japan's musical history. Emerging in the mid-70swhile still in her early 20s, she quickly gained attention for her inventive songwriting, versatile singing, playful melodies, and genre-blending mix of pop, jazz, funk, and experimental sounds. Her influence has since reached far beyond Japan, earning her a devoted international following that includes Mac DeMarco, Clairo, and Jessy Lanza
Born in Tokyo in 1955, Yano studied classical piano before moving into popular music, where her virtuosity and bold ideas set her apart. By the late 70s, she had become closely connected with the members of Yellow Magic Orchestra, joining them on their first international tour in 1979. 7 O'Clock in Tokyo, captured live in September 1978, features Yano with a band including the three musicians performing a concert to support her third studio album, To-Ki-Me-Ki, just as YMO was preparing to take the world stage with their debut album.
Yano, accompanied here by Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yukihiro Takahashi is also joined on stage by Tatsuro Yamashita and Minako Yoshida, two other towering figures of Japanese music. The performance offers a compelling snapshot of a pivotal moment in Japanese pop, when musical boundaries were being explored and new sounds were emerging.
The concert highlights Yano's distinctive blend of Japanese pop and funk, with a superb rendition of "To-Ki-Me-Ki's" title track and "Katarun Kararan" from the same album, plus "Satchan", a playful piece performed with Yano accompanying herself on acoustic piano. The album closes with "Walk on the Way of Life", an eight-minute funky finale that brings the musicians together in a groovy performance, underlining both their versatility and the energy of the show.
Available internationally for the first time, 7 O'Clock in Tokyo has been newly remastered and comes with its original artwork, plus a four-page insert including a new introduction by Paul Bowler. A cult classic finally reaching global ears, the album captures Akiko Yano at a captivating creative crossroads and offers a unique glimpse into the fertile energy of late-70s Tokyo.