SUGAR BABE

It's not unusual to hear SUGAR BABE songs played on Japanese radio stations and many Japanese cover bands still feature the group's material in their sets. What's remarkable about this is the band were only together for a brief three-year period in the mid-1970s and recorded just one album. This enduring popularity has endowed the band with a legendary status and influence within Japanese popular music out of all proportion to their commercial success. The album in question was 'Songs', a collection of tracks heavily influenced by American pop and soul from the period. Defined by thoughtful arrangements, the album features strong musicianship and quality song writing. It didn't sell particularly well at the time but many critics believe the album's influence on the subsequent Japanese pop music explosion should not be underestimated. The album was re-issued in 1999 and found favour with a new generation of musicians and music lovers in Japan. After the band split up in 1976, the founders Tatsuro Yamashita and Taeko Onuki both went on to have successful solo careers.

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