Timeless Masterpieces of Eiichi Ohtaki That Make You Fall in Love — The Niagara Sound
Featuring the music of Eiichi Ohtaki, a multifaceted figure not only as a musician but also as a recording engineer, producer, and label owner!
Often called a pioneer of Japanese rock, he was a member of the band Happy End, which was active around 1970, and after going solo he founded the Niagara label.
He released meticulously crafted masterpieces such as NIAGARA TRIANGLE Vol.
1 and NIAGARA CALENDAR, as well as the timeless classic Yume de Aetara (I Wish I Could Meet You in My Dreams).
Though his more idiosyncratic sounds initially struggled to gain acceptance, his 1981 album A LONG VACATION became a historic landmark.
Ohtaki’s intricately constructed songs are said to stem from his student days, when he listened widely and analyzed musical structures.
A trove of classics that can be seen as laying the foundations of J-pop.
The unfading Niagara Sound continues to shine brilliantly across the ages.
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Timeless Masterpieces of Eiichi Ohtaki That Make You Fall in Love – The Niagara Sound (1–10)
In the Canary IslandsOhtaki Eiichi
Ataru Ōtake’s “At the Canary Islands,” released in 1981, is the B-side to his seventh single, “Kimi wa Tennen Shoku.” Ōtake, who helped lay the foundation for Japanese city pop, created a sound packed with songs perfect for beach days and seaside drives—sure to lift your spirits! His influence continues to shape modern J-pop, and even if you’re hearing a track for the first time, it somehow feels nostalgic and playful—you’ll surely be captivated!
Olive AfternoonOhtaki Eiichi
Olive no Gogo has a pleasantly laid-back vibe.
It’s included on the album NIAGARA TRIANGLE Vol.2 by Eiichi Ohtaki, Motoharu Sano, and Makoto Sugii.
It feels ennui yet refreshing, the kind of atmosphere that would make summer vacation feel especially comfortable.
The stylish mood that evokes resorts and a touch of Western pop fits weekends perfectly.
It’s also interesting that it stands as a sort of symmetrical counterpart to Seiko Matsuda’s Kaze Tachinu.
A happy summer scene that makes you think of fleeting moments and unassuming stretches of time.
Lie down and listen at leisure, and a special summer unfolds before you.
speech balloonOhtaki Eiichi
Eiichi Ohtaki, who can be called a leading figure in Japan’s city pop and rare groove scenes, is being reappraised in markets around the world these days.
This song features a relaxed rhythm and literary lyrics that evoke imagery like a scene from a film.
Its mellow quality infused with a distinctly Japanese sense of wabi-sabi and a slightly ennui atmosphere beautifully captures the bittersweet emotions of a fleeting moment in an adult romance.
It’s perfect for a misty winter morning or for relaxing in a warm room.
Timeless Masterpieces of Eiichi Ohtaki That Make You Fall in Love: The Niagara Sound (11–20)
Summer RivieraOhtaki Eiichi
From an intro that seems to whisk you off to a dream world in an instant, “Natsu no Riviera” gently lulls the heart.
It’s a self-cover of “Fuyu no Riviera,” a song originally provided to Shinichi Mori, and it’s included on the compilation album SNOW TIME.
Eiichi Ohtaki’s voice, rich with lingering resonance, is truly wonderful, and the fact that he sings it in English gives it a distinctly different tone—one that invites broader imagination.
You can really picture the scenes.
Though it may be one of those Ohtaki songs known mainly to the initiated, it’s a masterpiece whose signature romantic mood and timelessness make the heart flutter.
Peppermint BlueOhtaki Eiichi
Following the classic album “A Long Vacation,” the studio album “Each Time” was a major hit, selling 600,000 copies.
After its release, Eiichi Ohtaki announced he would suspend his musical activities, which ultimately made it his final album; it’s often discussed as a sequel to “A Long Vacation.” Including “Peppermint Blue,” which is credited on this album, none of the tracks were ever performed in concert.
I wish I could have heard them live at least once!
Velvet MotelOhtaki Eiichi
Regardless of borders, Japanese city pop is currently experiencing a renewed boom and explosive popularity.
Among the genre, Eiichi Ohtaki’s 1981 studio album A Long Vacation is frequently highlighted as a masterpiece! The second track, Velvet Motel, is a retitled version of Summer Breeze, which was originally intended for Ann Lewis.
Its bouncy groove is playful and makes you want to listen to it over and over again!
Bachelor GirlOhtaki Eiichi
Thanks to the spread of information mainly through social media, he’s earned international support and has become indispensable when talking about Japanese city pop: Eiichi Ohtaki.
As his 11th single, “Bachelor Girl” hooks you from the very first line with an irresistibly catchy melody.
True to the golden duo of composer Eiichi Ohtaki and lyricist Takashi Matsumoto, it blends pop sensibilities with sophisticated, deep-cut techniques, revealing something new every time you listen.
Definitely give it a try!