This week’s #CoverOfTheWeek could feature no other than the bewitchingly beautiful 1983 ‘Utakata No Hibi‘ by Yasuaki Shimizu’s experimental band Mariah. A true holy grail of ’80s Japanese synth music, this captivating sleeve by Ira Okudaira has been desired by the choicest western collectors for years.
Good news is that the guys behind the New York imprint Palto Flats have managed to reissue this amazing collection of synthy soundscapes that range effortlessly from new wave to avant-garde to pop. The double 12″ has been remastered and the inner sleeves have been redesigned to include English translations of the LP’s lyrics, sung in alternating Armenian and Japanese. A very special record that ‘only’ took 33 years to reach our shores. The wait has certainly been worth it!
