Japan (band)
Encyclopedia
Japan were a British New Wave
group, formed in 1974 in Catford
, South London
. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they were often associated with the burgeoning New Romantic
fashion movement (though the band themselves have downplayed any such connection).
(guitar and vocals) and Steve Jansen
(drums), keyboardist Richard Barbieri
and bassist Mick Karn
studied at the same school. Guitarist Rob Dean
joined later, but before the band had its hits. As youngsters they played Sylvian's two-chord numbers mainly as a means of escape; sometimes with Karn as the front man, sometimes with Sylvian at the fore.
They dubbed themselves Japan in 1974, signed a recording contract with German disco label Hansa
, and became an alternative glam rock
outfit in the mould of David Bowie, T.Rex
, and The New York Dolls.
and followed up with Obscure Alternatives
. Both albums sold well in Japan (where the band's name helped them to gain a devoted cult following) and the Netherlands, where the single "Adolescent Sex" was a Top 30 hit; they also gained some popularity in Canada. However in their native UK
those albums were largely ignored.
Though influenced by artists such as the New York Dolls
, Roxy Music
and David Bowie
, both albums were widely dismissed by the UK music press as being distinctly outmoded at a time when punk and New Wave
bands were in ascendence. The band was managed by Simon Napier-Bell
who has also managed The Yardbirds
, Marc Bolan
, London
and Wham!
.
, heralded a significant change in musical style from the earlier largely guitar-based music. A more electronic sound developed, with more emphasis on Barbieri's synthesisers, Sylvian's svelte baritone
style of singing, Karn's distinctive fretless bass sound and Steve Jansen's odd-timbred and intricate percussion work, with Dean's guitar playing becoming increasingly sparse and atmospheric. Quiet Life was their last studio album for Hansa-Ariola, although the label would later issue a compilation album
(Assemblage
) featuring highlights from the band's tenure on the label, followed by a series of remixed and re-released singles.
(1980) and Tin Drum
(1981), were released on the Virgin label, and continued to expand their audience as the band refined its new sound and, somewhat unintentionally, became associated with the early-1980s New Romantic
movement. Tin Drum in particular is critically regarded as one of the most innovative albums of the 1980s, with its startlingly original fusion of occidental and oriental sounds, and peaked just outside the UK Top 10. Its unconventional single
"Ghosts
" reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart
, becoming Japan's biggest domestic hit.
With personality conflicts leading to rising tensions within the band, Tin Drum was to be the band's final studio album. Long-simmering differences among the bandmembers came to a head when Karn's girlfriend, photographer Yuka Fujii, moved in with Sylvian and the individual members proceeded with their own projects. Rob Dean
had already departed towards the end of the Gentlemen Take Polaroids sessions, as his electric guitar work was increasingly regarded as superfluous. Dean subsequently formed Illustrated Man. Karn released his first solo album, Titles
, at the same time the band announced their split in late 1982. During this period, Japanese multi-instrumentalist and experimental keyboardist Ryuichi Sakamoto
briefly collaborated with the band, and worked directly alongside Sylvian on tracks such as "Taking Islands In Africa". He would continue to work with Sylvian both before and after the band split, and the pair would achieve the hit singles "Bamboo Houses
" (1982) and "Forbidden Colours
" (1983).
The group's final UK performances came in November 1982, culminating in a six-night sell-out stint at London's Hammersmith Odeon. During this period, guitarist and keyboardist Masami Tsuchiya performed with the band on stage. Japan's last ever performance was on 16 December 1982 in Nagoya, Japan. The band's final Hammersmith concerts were recorded to produce Oil On Canvas
, a live album
and video
released in June 1983. Ironically, the band decided to split just as they were beginning to obtain long-overdue commercial success both in their native UK and internationally, with Oil On Canvas becoming their highest charting UK album, reaching #5 on the UK Albums Chart
. Both Hansa-Ariola and Virgin Records continued to release Japan singles into 1983.
All of the band members went on to work on other projects, with varying degrees of success. A reformation of the band members (without Dean) in 1990 under the name Rain Tree Crow
produced only one eponymously titled album, released in April 1991, which was well-received by music critics and reached the UK Top 25. Once again, the band dissolved following frictions between Sylvian and the other members.
Live albums
Compilations
re-issued remastered editions of Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Tin Drum and Oil on Canvas. BMG followed suit next year, and re-issued Adolescent Sex, Obscure Alternatives, Quiet Life, and Assemblage. All of these re-releases came in the 'digipak' format, collecting many bonus tracks. In 2006 all were repackaged in jewel cases to allow sale at a lower price point.
The Tin Drum digipak re-issue was of particular interest as it was packaged in a cardboard box and contained a bonus 5-inch single The Art of Parties, which comprised The Art of Parties (12" single and live versions), Ghosts (single version) and Life Without Buildings (B-side to The Art of Parties single). The package also included a booklet with black-and-white photos of the band members.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
group, formed in 1974 in Catford
Catford
Catford is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Architecture:...
, South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
. The band achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they were often associated with the burgeoning New Romantic
New Romantic
New Romanticism , was a pop culture movement in the United Kingdom that began around 1979 and peaked around 1981. Developing in London nightclubs such as Billy's and The Blitz and spreading to other major cities in the UK, it was based around flamboyant, eccentric fashion and new wave music...
fashion movement (though the band themselves have downplayed any such connection).
History
The band began as a group of friends. Brothers David SylvianDavid Sylvian
David Sylvian is an English singer-songwriter and musician who came to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead vocalist and main songwriter in the group Japan...
(guitar and vocals) and Steve Jansen
Steve Jansen
Steve Jansen is an English drummer, percussionist, singer and composer. He was educated at Catford Boys' School, Catford, South East London, where he failed academically, leaving at 16....
(drums), keyboardist Richard Barbieri
Richard Barbieri
Richard Barbieri, is an English synthesiser player, keyboardist and composer. He was educated at Catford Boys' School, Catford, South East London...
and bassist Mick Karn
Mick Karn
Andonis Michaelides , better known as Mick Karn, was an English multi-instrumentalist musician and songwriter, who came to fame as the bassist for the art rock band Japan, from 1974 to 1982....
studied at the same school. Guitarist Rob Dean
Rob Dean
Rob Dean is a British musician, who rose to prominence playing guitar as a member of the British band Japan.-Biography:He is from Clapton, Hackney, London, England.-Japan:...
joined later, but before the band had its hits. As youngsters they played Sylvian's two-chord numbers mainly as a means of escape; sometimes with Karn as the front man, sometimes with Sylvian at the fore.
They dubbed themselves Japan in 1974, signed a recording contract with German disco label Hansa
Hansa Records
Hansa Records was a record label founded in the 1960s based in Berlin, Germany....
, and became an alternative glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
outfit in the mould of David Bowie, T.Rex
T. Rex (band)
T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name...
, and The New York Dolls.
Early years
The band débuted with the 1978 album Adolescent SexAdolescent Sex
Adolescent Sex was the first album from the British glam rock/new romantic group Japan, released in March 1978. To avoid controversy over the title, the album was renamed Japan in some countries...
and followed up with Obscure Alternatives
Obscure Alternatives
Obscure Alternatives is the second album by English band Japan, released in October 1978, the follow-up to their debut album Adolescent Sex from seven months earlier. Lead singer David Sylvian has gone on record saying that this should have been their debut album...
. Both albums sold well in Japan (where the band's name helped them to gain a devoted cult following) and the Netherlands, where the single "Adolescent Sex" was a Top 30 hit; they also gained some popularity in Canada. However in their native UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
those albums were largely ignored.
Though influenced by artists such as the New York Dolls
New York Dolls
The New York Dolls is an American rock band, formed in New York in 1971. The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later...
, Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
and David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, both albums were widely dismissed by the UK music press as being distinctly outmoded at a time when punk and New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
bands were in ascendence. The band was managed by Simon Napier-Bell
Simon Napier-Bell
Simon Napier-Bell has undertaken many jobs in the music industry, including bandboy, manager, producer, songwriter, journalist and author and gourmet...
who has also managed The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
, Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
, London
London (band)
London were a four piece punk band formed in London in 1976 and were best known for their wild stage act. The original line-up was Riff Regan , Steve Voice , Jon Moss and Dave Wight . They were managed by Simon Napier-Bell and recorded two singles, a 4 track EP and an album for MCA Records in 1977...
and Wham!
WHAM!
Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
.
Mid-career
Their third album, 1979's Quiet LifeQuiet Life
Quiet Life is the third album by the British band Japan, released firstly in Japan, Germany, Canada and other countries in December 1979, then in the UK in January 1980...
, heralded a significant change in musical style from the earlier largely guitar-based music. A more electronic sound developed, with more emphasis on Barbieri's synthesisers, Sylvian's svelte baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
style of singing, Karn's distinctive fretless bass sound and Steve Jansen's odd-timbred and intricate percussion work, with Dean's guitar playing becoming increasingly sparse and atmospheric. Quiet Life was their last studio album for Hansa-Ariola, although the label would later issue a compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
(Assemblage
Assemblage (album)
Assemblage is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released in 1981 by Hansa Records.Assemblage collects recordings from the band's early career and Hansa Records re-released no fewer than six singles from Assemblage and Japan's back catalogue between 1981 - 1983...
) featuring highlights from the band's tenure on the label, followed by a series of remixed and re-released singles.
Final years
Their final two studio albums, Gentlemen Take PolaroidsGentlemen Take Polaroids
Gentlemen Take Polaroids is the fourth studio album by the British band Japan. Released in November 1980, it was the band's first album for the Virgin Records label...
(1980) and Tin Drum
Tin Drum
Tin Drum is the fifth and final studio album produced by the British band Japan. Released in the U.K. in November 1981, the album continued their now developed use of electronic elements coupled with traditional instrumentation, but leans far more towards far-eastern influences than any of their...
(1981), were released on the Virgin label, and continued to expand their audience as the band refined its new sound and, somewhat unintentionally, became associated with the early-1980s New Romantic
New Romantic
New Romanticism , was a pop culture movement in the United Kingdom that began around 1979 and peaked around 1981. Developing in London nightclubs such as Billy's and The Blitz and spreading to other major cities in the UK, it was based around flamboyant, eccentric fashion and new wave music...
movement. Tin Drum in particular is critically regarded as one of the most innovative albums of the 1980s, with its startlingly original fusion of occidental and oriental sounds, and peaked just outside the UK Top 10. Its unconventional single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Ghosts
Ghosts (Japan song)
"Ghosts" was a single by the British band Japan from the 1981 album Tin Drum. It reached number five in the UK Singles Chart in 1982. Although it was their biggest hit, this was not enough to stop the band splitting a few months later....
" reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, becoming Japan's biggest domestic hit.
With personality conflicts leading to rising tensions within the band, Tin Drum was to be the band's final studio album. Long-simmering differences among the bandmembers came to a head when Karn's girlfriend, photographer Yuka Fujii, moved in with Sylvian and the individual members proceeded with their own projects. Rob Dean
Rob Dean
Rob Dean is a British musician, who rose to prominence playing guitar as a member of the British band Japan.-Biography:He is from Clapton, Hackney, London, England.-Japan:...
had already departed towards the end of the Gentlemen Take Polaroids sessions, as his electric guitar work was increasingly regarded as superfluous. Dean subsequently formed Illustrated Man. Karn released his first solo album, Titles
Titles (album)
Titles is the debut solo studio album by English new wave artist Mick Karn, released in 1982. Karn recorded the album in London, during July and August 1982...
, at the same time the band announced their split in late 1982. During this period, Japanese multi-instrumentalist and experimental keyboardist Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
briefly collaborated with the band, and worked directly alongside Sylvian on tracks such as "Taking Islands In Africa". He would continue to work with Sylvian both before and after the band split, and the pair would achieve the hit singles "Bamboo Houses
Bamboo Houses
"Bamboo Houses" is a song by Japanese musician-composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and English singer-songwriter David Sylvian, released on Virgin Records in 1982....
" (1982) and "Forbidden Colours
Forbidden Colours
"Forbidden Colours" is a song composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto with lyrics by David Sylvian. The song is the vocal version of the theme from the Nagisa Oshima film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and was first released on the soundtrack album...
" (1983).
The group's final UK performances came in November 1982, culminating in a six-night sell-out stint at London's Hammersmith Odeon. During this period, guitarist and keyboardist Masami Tsuchiya performed with the band on stage. Japan's last ever performance was on 16 December 1982 in Nagoya, Japan. The band's final Hammersmith concerts were recorded to produce Oil On Canvas
Oil on Canvas
Oil on Canvas is a live album by the British band Japan, released in 1983 by Virgin Records. Although it is a live recording of their established material, the album also contains three new studio tracks , recorded separately by Sylvian, Sylvian/Jansen and Barbieri respectively...
, a live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
and video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
released in June 1983. Ironically, the band decided to split just as they were beginning to obtain long-overdue commercial success both in their native UK and internationally, with Oil On Canvas becoming their highest charting UK album, reaching #5 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. Both Hansa-Ariola and Virgin Records continued to release Japan singles into 1983.
All of the band members went on to work on other projects, with varying degrees of success. A reformation of the band members (without Dean) in 1990 under the name Rain Tree Crow
Rain Tree Crow
Rain Tree Crow was the name used by the English New Wave band Japan when they briefly reformed for this one-off project, which would be their final album...
produced only one eponymously titled album, released in April 1991, which was well-received by music critics and reached the UK Top 25. Once again, the band dissolved following frictions between Sylvian and the other members.
Members
- David Sylvian - Vocals/Guitars/Keyboards (1974–1982, 1991)
- Mick Karn: Bass Guitars/Saxophones (1974–1982, 1991)
- Steve Jansen: Drums/Percussion/Keyboards (1974–1982, 1991)
- Richard Barbieri: Keyboards/Synthesisers (1974–1982, 1991)
- Rob Dean: Guitars/Backing Vocals (1975–1980)
Albums
Studio albums| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK |
Sweden Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
Norway VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... |
|||
| 1978 | Adolescent Sex Adolescent Sex Adolescent Sex was the first album from the British glam rock/new romantic group Japan, released in March 1978. To avoid controversy over the title, the album was renamed Japan in some countries...
|
- | - | - | |
| 1978 | Obscure Alternatives Obscure Alternatives Obscure Alternatives is the second album by English band Japan, released in October 1978, the follow-up to their debut album Adolescent Sex from seven months earlier. Lead singer David Sylvian has gone on record saying that this should have been their debut album... Hansa Records Hansa Records was a record label founded in the 1960s based in Berlin, Germany.... |
- | - | - | |
| 1979 | Quiet Life Quiet Life Quiet Life is the third album by the British band Japan, released firstly in Japan, Germany, Canada and other countries in December 1979, then in the UK in January 1980... Hansa Records Hansa Records was a record label founded in the 1960s based in Berlin, Germany.... |
53 | - | - |
British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... : Gold |
| 1980 | Gentlemen Take Polaroids Gentlemen Take Polaroids Gentlemen Take Polaroids is the fourth studio album by the British band Japan. Released in November 1980, it was the band's first album for the Virgin Records label... Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny... |
45 | - | - |
British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... : Gold |
| 1981 | Tin Drum Tin Drum Tin Drum is the fifth and final studio album produced by the British band Japan. Released in the U.K. in November 1981, the album continued their now developed use of electronic elements coupled with traditional instrumentation, but leans far more towards far-eastern influences than any of their... Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny... |
12 | 33 | 16 |
British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... : Gold |
| 1991 | Rain Tree Crow Rain Tree Crow Rain Tree Crow was the name used by the English New Wave band Japan when they briefly reformed for this one-off project, which would be their final album... (Recorded under the RTC moniker) Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny... |
24 | - | - | |
Live albums
- Oil on CanvasOil on CanvasOil on Canvas is a live album by the British band Japan, released in 1983 by Virgin Records. Although it is a live recording of their established material, the album also contains three new studio tracks , recorded separately by Sylvian, Sylvian/Jansen and Barbieri respectively...
June 1983 (UK #5) — [Certified Gold in February 1988] (mainly live double album, featuring some new solo instrumental pieces).
Compilations
- AssemblageAssemblage (album)Assemblage is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released in 1981 by Hansa Records.Assemblage collects recordings from the band's early career and Hansa Records re-released no fewer than six singles from Assemblage and Japan's back catalogue between 1981 - 1983...
1981 (UK, Europe, Japan) (UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#26) — [Certified Gold in January 1983] - features Hansa-Ariola material (1978–80) including several non album singles. - JapanJapan (album)Japan is an compilation album by the British band Japan, released in the United States in 1982 on the Epic Records label. It was the first U.S. release of the band's material recorded for Virgin Records in the U.K...
1982 (North America) (Billboard Album ChartBillboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
#204) - features tracks from Gentlemen Take Polaroids and Tin Drum. - Exorcising GhostsExorcising GhostsExorcising Ghosts is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released in 1984 by Virgin Records.Exorcising Ghosts was compiled and produced in consultation with lead singer David Sylvian two years after Japan dissolved...
1984 (UK, Europe, Japan) Virgin (UK #45) — [Certified Gold in February 1997] - features material from the Virgin Records (1980–82) era. - Souvenir from JapanSouvenir from JapanSouvenir from Japan is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released in 1989 by Sony BMG. It includes most of the tracks that were on "Assemblage". Oddly, the live version of "Deviation" is included and also a unique remix of "Life In Tokyo"...
1989 (UK) BMG 260 360 - features Hansa-Ariola material. Credited to Japan (featuring David Sylvian). - The Other Side of JapanThe Other Side of JapanThe Other Side of Japan is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released in 1991 by Receiver Records. Another compilation of Hansa-Ariola era tracks, with the earliest appearance on CD in the UK of "A Foreign Place"....
1991 (UK) Receiver Records RRLP-150 & RRCD-150 - compilation of Hansa-Ariola era tracks, with the earliest appearance on CD in the UK of "A Foreign Place". - Best Selection 1994 (Japan) BMG Victor Inc. BVCP-2606 - Japanese compilation oh Hansa-Ariola era tracks including the whole "Live In Japan" EP.
- Japan Is the Masterpiece, but New TooJapan Is the Masterpiece, but New TooJapan Is the Masterpiece, but New Too is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released in 1996 by Sony BMG. This Japanese promo CD was released in a slim jewel case.Catalogue number: BMG PDTD-1152.-Track listing:...
1996 (Japan) BMG PDTD-1152 - promo CD features Hansa-Ariola era tracks and cover versions from the "Life In Tokyo - A Tribute To Japan" project. - The Singles 1996 (Japan) BMG BVCP8613/4 - Japanese double CD compilation of all the singles and remixes issued by Hansa on the UK 7" and 12" from 1978 through to 1983.
- In Vogue 1996 (UK) BMG 74321 393382 - features Hansa-Ariola material including 12" versions of All Tomorrow's Parties, European Son and Life In Tokyo. Note that this CD's sound is in mono: the right channel of the original recordings is duplicated in both channels; the original left channel is missing altogether.
- The Masters 1997 (UK, Europe) Eagle Records EAB CD 003 - features Hansa-Ariola material.
- The Best of Japan (Eternal Best) 1998 (Japan) BMG Japan BVCM-37019 - features Hansa-Ariola era tracks.
- The Collection 2000 (UK) Armoury Records ARMCD0011 - features Hansa-Ariola tracks.
- The Best of Japan - Original Hits 2002 (Europe) Paradiso PA 762/2 - a remastered re-issue of Assemblage with a new cover (gold pressed CD)
- The Best of Japan 2002 (Japan) BMG Japan BVCM 37343 - compilation of Hansa-Ariola era tracks using the 24 bit remastered tracks used on the 2001 Japanese paper sleeve releases.
- The Very Best of JapanThe Very Best of JapanThe Very Best of Japan is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released worldwide in 2006 by EMI Music.Although not the first Japan compilation to collect recordings from the band's career on both Hansa Records and Virgin Records, it is certainly the most comprehensive and includes all...
2006 (Worldwide) Virgin - features the remastered material from both the Hansa-Ariola and Virgin eras. - The Collection 2009 (UK, Europe) Sony 88697556792 - features material from both the Hansa-Ariola and Virgin eras.
Singles and EPs
- "Don't Rain on My ParadeDon't Rain on My Parade"Don't Rain On My Parade" is a popular song from the 1964 musical Funny Girl. It was also featured in the 1968 movie version of the musical. The song was written by Bob Merrill and Jule Styne. Both the movie and stage versions feature Barbra Streisand performing the song. It has since become one of...
"/"Stateline" (UK, Germany, Australia, Italy) 1978 - "Adolescent Sex"/"Don't Rain On My Parade" (Spain) 1978
- "The Unconventional"/"Lovers On Main Street" (Japan) 1978
- "The Unconventional"/"Adolescent Sex (re-recorded version)" (UK) 1978
- "Adolescent Sex (re-recorded version)"/"Transmission" (Italy) 1979
- "Adolescent Sex (re-recorded version)"/"Sometimes I Feel So Low" (Germany, Holland, France) 1978
- "Sometimes I Feel So Low"/"Love Is Infectious" (UK, USA, Japan) 1978
- "Deviation"/"Suburban Berlin" (Holland) 1979
- "Life In Tokyo"/"Life In Tokyo (Part Two)" (UK, USA, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, Italy) 1979
- "Quiet Life"/"Halloween" (Japan) 1979
- "I Second That EmotionI Second That Emotion"I Second That Emotion" is a 1967 song primarily composed by Smokey Robinson and originally released as a single from his band Smokey Robinson & the Miracles for the Motown label. The song peaked for three weeks in the United States at #4 on the Billboard pop singles chart in December 1967...
"/"European Son" (Japan) 1980 - "I Second That Emotion"/"Quiet Life" (UK, Germany, Holland) 1980
- "Special Edition EP" (Canada) 1980
- "Live In Japan EP" (Germany, Holland, Belgium) 1980
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids EP" (UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#60, Germany, Japan) 1980 - "The Singles EP" (Japan) 1981
- "The Art of Parties"/"Life Without Buildings" (UK #48) 1981 - also Canadian EP with two tracks from the "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" EP
- "The Art of Parties"/"My New Career" (Australia, Japan) 1981
- "Life In Tokyo"/"European Son" (UK, Germany) 1981
- "Quiet Life"/"A Foreign Place" (UK #19) 1981
- "Visions Of China"/"Taking Islands In Africa" (UK #32, Australia) 1981
- "European Son (remix)"/"Alien" (UK #31, Germany) 1981
- "GhostsGhosts (Japan song)"Ghosts" was a single by the British band Japan from the 1981 album Tin Drum. It reached number five in the UK Singles Chart in 1982. Although it was their biggest hit, this was not enough to stop the band splitting a few months later....
"/"The Art Of Parties (live version)" (UK #5 and most other countries except Japan) 1982 - "Cantonese Boy"/"Burning Bridges" (UK #24) 1982 - also a double pack version with extra tracks
- "I Second That Emotion (remix)"/"Halloween" (UK #9, Germany) 1982
- "Life In Tokyo (remix)" (UK #28) 1982
- "Nightporter"/"Ain't That Peculiar" (UK #29, Germany) 1982
- "Nightporter EP" (Japan) 1982 - includes b sides from UK releases
- "All Tomorrow's Parties"/"In Vogue" (UK #38) 1983
- "Canton"/"Visions Of China" (live versions) (UK #42) 1983
Video/DVD
- "Oil On Canvas" 1983 (VHS, Beta, LD) - live material filmed at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1982.
- "Instant Pictures" 1984 (VHS, Beta, LD) - promo videos and alternate versions of live tracks.
- "Video Hits" 1999 (DVD), Japan only - early promo videos.
- "The Very Best of Japan" 2006 (DVD) - includes the Oil On Canvas concert and a collection of promo videos.
Remasters
In 2003, Virgin RecordsVirgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
re-issued remastered editions of Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Tin Drum and Oil on Canvas. BMG followed suit next year, and re-issued Adolescent Sex, Obscure Alternatives, Quiet Life, and Assemblage. All of these re-releases came in the 'digipak' format, collecting many bonus tracks. In 2006 all were repackaged in jewel cases to allow sale at a lower price point.
The Tin Drum digipak re-issue was of particular interest as it was packaged in a cardboard box and contained a bonus 5-inch single The Art of Parties, which comprised The Art of Parties (12" single and live versions), Ghosts (single version) and Life Without Buildings (B-side to The Art of Parties single). The package also included a booklet with black-and-white photos of the band members.
Rare material
The following Japan tracks appeared on vinyl but have not yet been released on CD:- "Quiet Life" (Japanese single version)
- "Burning Bridges" (from the "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" EP) - an alternate version produced by David Sylvian
- "Ain't That Peculiar" (version from the compilation album "Cash Cows" and b-side of "Nightporter, different from the version on the Polaroids album)
- "Nightporter" (Steve Nye remixed single and radio edit versions - radio edit available on the CD Compilation 'A Kick Up The Eighties Vol.4' [OG3523] released in 1990)
- "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" (7" single version from the "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" EP)