Seiyu Neo Uta Kyoku Vol.1" compilation CD to be released on August 16! Legendary popular voice actors remake and cover songs!

Through video-sharing sites and social networking services, Japanese popular music of the 80s, such as city pop, is being "rediscovered" one after another by overseas and younger generation music fans as "unknown and unknown music. This has led to the reissue of rare albums from those days, which have been selling well, and the momentum has gone beyond an Internet phenomenon and is even becoming a trend in the music industry. (Honorifics omitted.) The world's attention is now focused on "rediscovery.

The world's quest for "rediscovery" is now going further back than the city pop of the 1980s to the new music of the 1970s and the songs of the 1960s. The power of composers to create "emo" melodies that depict deep emotions, the skill of lyricists to create words that come alive only when put to song, and the skills of arrangers and studio musicians to create music that is filled with the charm of human instrumental performance, are all examples of the deep appeal that Japanese popular music used to have, spun by "professional musicians". Many people have discovered the deep appeal spun by these "professional musicians" that Japanese popular music used to have.

In response to this trend, the voice actor industry has launched a compilation series of song covers. The first volume, "Seiyu Neo Uta Kyoku Vol. 1" will be released on August 16, 2023, by TAICHIKU ENTERTAINMENT. This compilation is characterized by the fact that the popular voice actors have selected and sung "a song in their hearts" that is deeply rooted in their own minds. This is a clear response from the voice-over industry to the aforementioned wave of rediscovery of Japanese popular music, and is also a presentation that proudly proclaims its "favorite songs. Voice actors, a profession in which singing lessons are taken as a fundamental skill for acting. Many of them have a reputation for their singing ability. Kazuhiko Inoue and Yuji Mitsuya, who participate in this project, have been releasing records since the early 1980s and represent the first generation of "singing voice actors," so to speak, and the members of this project are also very talented. Let's take a look at the original songs as well as the recorded songs.

1 Tomokazu Seki "Darling

Darling" (lyrics by Yu Aku, music by Katsuo Ohno, arrangement by Motonori Funayama) was Kenji Sawada's 23rd single, released in 1978. A year earlier, Sawada had achieved the triple grand slam of the Japan Record Award, the Japan Song Award, and the Japan Cable Broadcasting Award with "Jiyaku Shiyagare," and the following songs, "Hateful Bastard," "Samurai," and "Darling," were also explosive hits. In particular, "Darling" is a song that symbolizes Kenji Sawada at the peak of his career, and its high-speed, high-tension tune is a perfect selection for Tomokazu Seki.

2 Daisuke Namikawa "Hana

Released in 2004, "Hana" (lyrics and music by ORANGE RANGE) is the eighth single from ORANGE RANGE. Although ORANGE RANGE has a strong image of high-tension mixed rock with rap in songs such as "Shanghai Honey" and "Loco Lotion," "Hana" is actually their biggest-selling single, a quiet ballad. Many of you may remember it as the theme song for the movie "I'm coming to meet you" starring Yuko Takeuchi and Shido Nakamura. Daisuke Namikawa's gentle rap and vocals are a must-see.

3 Koichi Yamadera "Sayonara wo Once More

Sayonara wo Once More" (lyrics by Yu Aku, music composed and arranged by Makoto Kawaguchi) is Kisehiko Ozaki's third single, released in 1971. Kisehiko Ozaki debuted as a solo singer after performing in bands and chorus groups, and became a household name when his second single "Till We Meet Again" (1971) hit the big time, and "Sayonara wo Once More" was his next release. In addition to his outstanding vocal ability, Yamadera is known for his "possession-type" vocals that perfectly capture the original singer's quirks, and we hope you will enjoy how he approaches Ozaki's overwhelming vocal style, which cannot be easily copied by ordinary people.

4 Kazuhiko Inoue "Bus Stop

Koji Taira's "Bus Stop" (lyrics by Kazuya Senke, music composed and arranged by Masahiko Aoi) was a hit in 1972. Although it initially sold 224,000 copies, it became a long-lasting hit song that has been well known and loved for a long time, with cumulative sales reaching 1 million copies. Many artists have covered the song, including Mariko Takahashi, Rice Club, and Kiyoyo Hikawa, making it a standard song that even later generations are familiar with. Veteran singer Kazuhiko Inoue masterfully sings the difficult melody, which features a high tone that was created to make the most of Taira's falsetto voice.

5 Yuki Kaji "Ito

Ito" (lyrics and music by Miyuki Nakashima, arrangement by Kazumi Seo) is the 35th single by Miyuki Nakashima and the theme song for the TV drama "Saint's March. "Although the song was released in 1998, it gradually gained renewed attention after being used in commercials in the 2000s and later, and became a revival hit in the 2010s. 2018. In 2018, the song was certified as the longest (15 years and 10 months) million-seller in history, and with the release of the movie "Ito" in 2020, which was inspired by the song, it has become a new representative song for people in their 30s and younger who did not know Miyuki Nakashima in the 70s and 80s. Hiroki Kaji, who represents this generation, sings the world of "Ito" as he himself felt it.

6 Mina Tominaga "Kiss for your eyes!

Kisses for your eyes!" by The Venus (lyrics by Yoyoko Agi, music by Beethoven, arrangement by Daisuke Inoue) is a hit song from 1981. Beethoven's "For Elise," widely known as a piano piece, is arranged in an oldies style rock and roll. Daisuke Inoue, who had created an oldies boom the previous year with his arrangement of "Runaway" by the Chanels, was in charge of the arrangement. Many may remember it as the autumn campaign song for Kanebo Cosmetics. Mina Tominaga is taking on the challenge of recreating the cutie charm of CONNY, the vocalist of The Venus.

7 Natsuki Hanae "Kanpaku Sengen

The 1979 hit "Sekihaku Sengen" was Masashi Sada's eighth solo single, and although his second single "Ameyadori" also reached No. 1 on the Oricon, "Sekihaku Sengen" is probably the one song that made Sada's name widely known to the world. In fact, it became Masashi Sada's biggest hit, selling 1,227,000 copies. Natsuki Hanae, who of course was not born when the song became a hit, delivers a surprisingly high quality haunting vocal performance that rivals that of Koichi Yamadera.

8 Noriko Hidaka "Glass Slope

Glass Slope" (lyrics by Takemi Shima, music by Ryudo Uzaki, arrangement by Koji Magaino) was a hit song in 1977. Midori Kinouchi, Saori Yuki, Yumiko Araki, and others released this song at the same time, making it a so-called "competing song." The most famous version is that of Mizue Takada, whose debut single was this song, and the new arrangement sung by Noriko Hidaka follows the image of Mizue Takada's version. Noriko Hidaka's solid singing ability is a perfect match for the cover of Mizue Takada's voice, which has a clean but strong core that sets her apart from other idol singers.

9 Yuko Miyamura "Ibijin

Ibunjin" (lyrics by Saki Kubota, music by Saki Kubota, arrangement by Mitsuo Hagita) is the debut single by Saki Kubota (now Sayuri Kume), released in 1979. It exploded in popularity as the commercial song for Sanyo Electric (Sanyo) color TVs. It reached the million-seller mark in less than three months after its release, eventually selling 1,445,000 copies. Yuko Miyamura often plays the role of an active woman, but in this song "Hetero," she sings with a pure and innocent voice that accompanies Saki Kubota's clear vocals.

10 Yuji Mitsuya, "Can't Stop Singing

Dou ni tomaranai" (lyrics by Yuu Aku, music composed and arranged by Shunichi Tokura) is a hit song from 1972. It is known as one of Linda Yamamoto's representative songs. Like her debut song "Komaranaruna" (1966), it was initially intended to portray a coquettish "kawakochan" image, but a change of record company led to a major shift to a sexy adult female image. The first single was "Dondemo to tomaranai" (I can't stop myself). The pantaloons, "navel-baring" red blouse, and passionate dance moves became a model for the action glamour songs of subsequent singers such as Mari Natsuki, Maria Anzai, and Ouyang Feifei. Yuji Mitsuya sang a superb cover of the song, which probably no one else in the world of voice actors, even in the wide world of voice actors, can match to the right of this person.

The compilation is actually the brainchild of music producer Yoshitetsu Xiehana (Shabana) and voice actress Kanai Mika, who is well-known to hardcore anime song fans for her songs for the TV anime "Prales 34" (1983) and the OVA "BIRTH" (1984), and with Kanai for their debut album Sheika has been an old friend of Kanai since she produced his debut album "Toy Box" (January 1991) and held a live concert (February 1991) with the album in tow. This project was made possible by Kanai's casting of voice actors and Xiehua's sound production. The result is sure to appeal to both voice actors and song fans.

The world of voice actors is one of the most professional in the pursuit of expressive possibilities with the voice. This compilation of song covers is an opportunity to enjoy the interpretations, expressions, and vocal styles of popular voice actors who continue to be at the forefront of their field. For the younger generation, this will be an opportunity to experience the joy of listening to "songs" and "popular songs" that they did not know or had almost forgotten.

As an extension of this project, "Seiyu Neo Uta Yo Fes 2023," an outdoor festival with casting unparalleled in the voice actor industry, will be held in Odaiba R district, Tokyo, on August 19 (Sat.) and 20 (Sun.), 2023.

A total of 30 popular voice actors, including those not participating in this compilation, will gather at the event. In addition to the stage performances of classic Japanese songs performed by a live band, the festival will also feature special sessions and yabame collaborations, giving the festival a summer festival atmosphere. The festival will not be streamed on the Internet, as they want to emphasize the importance of sharing the experience in a real space. We hope that you will be able to experience firsthand the great songs, performances, and collaborations.

(Text by Ryozo Fuwa)

Product Information

Seiyu Neo Uta Kyoku Vol. 1

Release date: August 16, 2023

List price: 3,300 yen (tax included)

Label: Teichiku Entertainment

＜Included songs
01. darling / Tomokazu Seki

02. flower / Daisuke Namikawa

03. goodbye once more / Koichi Yamadera

04. bus stop / Kazuhiko INOUE

05. thread / Hiroki Kaji

06. kiss for eyes! / Mina Tominaga

07. kanshaku kessho / Hanae Natsuki

08. glass slope / Noriko Hidaka

09. gaijin -silk road theme- / Yuko Miyamura

10. can't stop it / Yuji Mitsuya

Event Information

Japan's largest outdoor festival for voice actors will be held!

Seiyu Neo Uta Fes 2023" (Seiyu Neo Song Fest 2023)

Date and time:

August 19 (Sat) Doors open 14:30 Concert begins 15:30

August 20 (Sun.) Doors open 14:30 Concert begins 15:30

Place: Odaiba R area

＜Performers (in no particular order)

August 19

Kana Ueda / Maya Okamoto / Anri Katsu / Mika Kanai / Hidenobu Kiuchi / Mitsuki Saiga / Tatsuo Suzuki / Tomokazu Seki / Naozumi Takahashi / Kanba Tsuchiya / Mina Tominaga / Noriko Hidaka / Shuyuki Hiyama / Rika Fukami / Yuji Mitsuya / Satsuki Yukino

August 20 [Cast]

Kazuhiko Inoue / Masayumi Iizuka / Akio Otsuka / Anri Katsu / Mika Kanai / Takano Rei / Fumihiko Tachiki / Hiroki Tochi / Isamu Hayashi / Shinichiro Miki / Fumie Mizusawa / Yuko Miyamura / Koichi Yamadera