Masayoshi Takanaka is a Japanese guitarist and composer whose sun-bleached instrumental fusion for Kitty Records made him one of the most popular musicians of the city pop era, and in the 2020s one of its most successful international revivals.[1][2]
Early career
Born in Tokyo in 1953, Takanaka played in Flied Egg before joining the Sadistic Mika Band in 1972; its 1974 album Kurofune was later ranked ninth on Rolling Stone Japan’s list of the greatest Japanese rock albums.[1] After the group split he formed the Sadistics in 1975 and launched his solo career with Seychelles (1976).[1]
Kitty years
Recording for Kitty Records until 1984, he released a run of bright, Latin-tinged instrumental albums — Brasilian Skies, Jolly Jive, The Rainbow Goblins — and in 1982 Saudade reached No. 1 on the Oricon albums chart, a rare feat for guitar instrumentals.[1] “Blue Lagoon” (1979) remains his signature; Young Guitar magazine ranked it among the best guitar instrumentals in 2019.[1] He moved to EMI in 1985 and founded his own Lagoon Records in 2000.[1]
Revival
From the mid-2010s younger listeners discovered his records online; Grimes sampled “Penguin Dancer” on “Butterfly” (2015).[1] In March 2025 he played two sold-out nights at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, his first U.S. performances in 40 years,[2] and in 2026 he undertook his first world tour, promoted by Live Nation.[1][3]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Seychelles | Kitty Records |
| 1977 | Takanaka | Kitty Records |
| 1977 | An Insatiable High | Kitty Records |
| 1978 | Brasilian Skies | Kitty Records |
| 1978 | On Guitar | Kitty Records |
| 1979 | Jolly Jive | Kitty Records |
| 1980 | T-Wave | Kitty Records |
| 1980 | Finger Dancin’ | Kitty Records |
| 1981 | The Rainbow Goblins | Kitty Records |
| 1981 | Alone | Kitty Records |
| 1982 | Saudade (Oricon No. 1) | Kitty Records |
| 1983 | Can I Sing? | Kitty Records |
| 1984 | Natsu Zen Kai | Kitty Records |
| 1986 | Jungle Jane | EMI |
| 1987 | Rendez-Vous | EMI |
| 1988 | Hot Pepper | EMI |
| 1989 | Gaps! | EMI |
| 1990 | Nail the Pocket | EMI |
Notable songs
- “Blue Lagoon” ↗1979
References
- “Masayoshi Takanaka”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- ““I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time”: Masayoshi Takanaka Plays First U.S. Show in 40 Years”. Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- “City Pop Waves Continues With Masayoshi Takanaka’s First World Tour”. Live Nation Entertainment. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
In the catalogue · 11
Seychelles
1976 · MKF 1003
An Insatiable High
1977 · MKF 1023
Jolly Jive = ジョリー・ジャイヴ
1979 · MKF 1055
All Of Me
1979 · MKA 9005/6
T-Wave
1980 · MKF 1063
Finger Dancin'
1980 · 17GK7908
The Rainbow Goblins
1981 · 36MK9101-2
Ocean Breeze
1982 · 25MS 0007
Rendez-Vous
1987 · WTP-90470
Hot Pepper
1988 · RT28-5225
Gaps!
1989 · RT28-5520
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