A cappella masterpieces: Recommended songs where beautiful harmonies shine (Western and Japanese music)

SOUL BOSSA NOVAThe Swingle Singers

Soul Bossa Nova

This is an a cappella group formed in Paris, France, by American-born Ward Swingle.

The group consists of eight members: two sopranos, two altos, two tenors, and two basses.

Their sound is known for incorporating jazz scat singing.

This song is a hit by Quincy Jones, which enjoyed a revival after being used as the theme song for the film Austin Powers.

Premonition of TomorrowBaby Boo

Baby Boo "Planetarium"

It’s the debut single by the Japanese a cappella group Baby Boo.

It’s a song from when they still had six members.

Although it’s now out of print, the chorus is incredibly memorable.

Since Baby Boo used to frequent utagoe kissa (sing-along cafés), they’ve also released a “utagoe kissa” cover album.

They’re still actively performing as a five-member group, and with a hall concert in Tokyo this summer, I feel like hearing them live again would let their voices soak into your whole body.

Good Night BabyTHE KING TONES

The King Tones “Good Night, Baby” live in 1968

They are a four-member Japanese music group that has been active since 1960.

Their repertoire mainly consists of songs now generally referred to as oldies, and they continue to perform in the chorus style known as doo-wop.

This song is one of their signature numbers.

Route 66The Manhattan Transfer

Manhattan Transfer – ROUTE 66 – 1981!

They are an American jazz vocal group consisting of four members: two men and two women.

Despite their outstanding vocal technique and harmonies, their accessible musical style has also made them popular in the pop genre.

This song is one of the jazz standards.

Its content invites listeners on a journey along U.S.

Route 66, running from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Wish Upon a Startaimu faibu

Time Five - When You Wish Upon a Star

You could call them the original Japanese a cappella group—this is a song by Time Five.

The song itself is from Disney’s Pinocchio, so it’s a cover, but in fact they performed it on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

The members are from Doshisha University, and in a way they anticipated what The Gospellers would later do.

This is quintessential, straight-down-the-line a cappella.

The five-part harmonies are wonderfully soothing.

Listening to When You Wish Upon a Star before bed feels so pleasant that it might help you sleep well.

Stand by meRockapella

Rockapella – Stand by me

They are a five-member American a cappella group that sings and dances.

While they perform mostly in the United States, it seems they come to Japan almost every year as well.

This song was originally a spiritual, which inspired Ben E.

King’s single.

It later became the theme song for the film of the same name and enjoyed a revival hit.