Sakazume Misako – 恋の誕生日(Koi no Tanjyobi) (a J!-ENT Album Review)
September 1, 2008 by Dennis Amith
“Singer/songwriter Sakazume Misako is known for her hit songs for Crystal Kay, BoA, EXILE and many others. But now the singer/songwriter and musician with her old school Wurlitzer has her time to shine with the release of her first major label album.”
ARTIST: 坂詰美紗子 (Sakazume Misako)
ALBUM: 恋の誕生日 (Koi no Tanjyobi)
LABEL: Rhythm Zone
CATALOG #: RZCD-45681
DURATION: 38:46
RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2008
- 恋の誕生日
- 一生に一度の大好き
- ニックネーム
- 可愛くなくても譲れない ～其の2～ 友達の紹介編
- ファーストキス
- ツンデレ
- 幸せの待ち合わせ場所
- そっと
Singer/songwriter Sakazume Misako is known for her songwriting efforts such as Crystal Kay’s “Koi ni Ochitara” in 2005, BoA’s “LONG TIME NO SEE”, Sowelu’s “without you”, EXILE’s “HIBIKI” and many more.
The singer/songwriter has been active since she was attending high school and in 2007, she released her first indies album “Soul Dishes” until she signed with Rhythm Zone and released her first mini-album “Koi no Tanjoubi”.
Sakazume’s music can be described as soul R&B and very reminiscent to an artist such as MISIA.
All songs feature lyrics and music by Misako and arranged by Hirata Shoichiro or Matsubara Ken (both of SUPA LOVE).
As seen from the front cover, Sakazume’s instrument of choice and featured in each song is her Wurlitzer electric piano.
The first track “Koi no Tanjyobi” features a jazzy intro by Sakazume on her wurlitzer and transitions to an upbeat song featuring an urban beat combined with strings and a brass arrangement along with electric guitar. A very cool, smooth R&B track.
The second track “一生に一度の大好き” (the one shot at a lifetime of love) is another track featuring Misako jamming on her Wurlitzer, with a more upbeat sound than “Koi no Tanjoubi”, cool beats and strings arrangement courtesy of Gen Ittetsu Strings.
The third track “Nickname” is a beautiful ballad which is a very solid song with strings, a cool beat and definitely one of my favorite songs on the album. Very well sung and definitely a track that highlights Sakazume’s vocals.
The fourth track “可愛くなくても譲れない ～其の2～ 友達の紹介編” is a fast track that is along a similar lines of “Koi no Tanjoubi” but features a more pronounced brass and strings arrangement and fun background vocals by Sakazume Misako and Nishikawa Mai (of SUPA LOVE).
The fifth track “First Kiss” is quite interesting because it has an old school late early or mid-90s musical feel to it. The song is another ballad, mid-tempo and the music is totally old school but very cool in a nostalgic style of way.
The sixth track “ツンデレ” is an upbeat R&B track and features a strong string arrangement and underlying groove and beat. A pretty cool track.
The seventh track “幸せの待ち合わせ場所” features another beautiful ballad. A live house style of feel with the many instruments featured in the track. Well done!
The eighth and final track “Sotto” is the fourth ballad on the album. The track features primarily Misako singing and playing her Wurlitzer. This is the only track on the album primarily featuring all Misako in terms of lyrics, music, arrangement and instruments.
The mini-album comes with a CD-extra which is the music video (in MPEG) for “Koi no Tanjyobi”. The music video features Sakazume playing on her wurlitzer and taking a lot of women and feature them without makeup and then feature them with makeup in a before and after scene. And then featuring all the women with a red string tied to their finger.
As for the CD insert, the booklet features lyrics and production credits. And a mini-flyer promoting Rhythm Zone releases in May 2008.
Sakazume’s music is pretty much straightforward. No major changes within each track and primarily an R&B sound and if you are a fan of MISIA, definitely you’ll enjoy Sakazume Misako.
She definitely showcases her strength as a musician, as a vocalist and a songwriter. She has beautiful vocals and I find it very interesting that she does use an old school Wurlitzer as her main instrument but that’s a pretty cool old school instrument that I guess people will identify her with.
Also, unlike MISIA who can be found singing, I guess you can see Sakazume almost like a Billy Joel where most of her performance would be done sitting down and jamming with her Wurlitzer.
Also, her overall facial features with her wavy curls, her glasses and sporting a hat is a feature primarily focused on photography of the artist.
Just a side note that her indies album “LOVE DISHES” was also released simultaneously from Rhythm Zone, Her first CD single “Onna Gokoro” is set for released for Sept. 17.
All in all, “Koi no Tanjyobi” is a solid debut album from Sakazume Misako.
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