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 by Eiichi Ohtaki that make you fall in love — The Niagara Sound (31–40)
This love is awesome!Ohtaki Eiichi
There are very few singers who can sing in a way that makes you want to ask, “Where is that voice coming from?”—and even fewer artists who can actually pull it off.
You can hear this humor- and idea-filled song on the debut album Eiichi Ohtaki.
Love’s Choo-Choo TrainOhtaki Eiichi
This is Eiichi Ohtaki’s debut single, released on December 10, 1971.
While many of Ohtaki’s works from this period give the impression of either funky tracks with crisp rhythms or gentle, folk-tinged songs, this piece features a rock-style performance.
To my Saturday night loverOhtaki Eiichi
This is the theme song from the late-night radio program “Kozue Baba’s Late-Night Business,” which aired on Saturdays in the 1970s.
The lyrics simply repeat the program’s title, but it’s unmistakably Naoki Ohtaki’s world in full bloom.
A version with different lyrics was released at the time, but this original version was included on the 30th-anniversary edition released in 2006.
Love TrainOhtaki Eiichi
This is the debut single by singer-songwriter Eiichi Ohtaki, who first emerged as the vocalist of the legendary rock band Happy End, a pioneering force in Japanese rock history, and who pursued a solo career in parallel with the band.
With guitar riffs and arrangement reminiscent of Western rock ’n’ roll, its sound clearly set itself apart from the mainstream kayōkyoku of the time—a cool aesthetic.
His smoky vocals and the antique band sound may feel surprisingly fresh to many listeners today.
A pop yet emotional rock tune that laid the groundwork for countless rock bands active in the current J-pop scene.
FUN×4Ohtaki Eiichi
Eiichi Ohtaki, the guitarist-vocalist of the indispensable band Happy End in the history of Japanese rock and a celebrated solo artist, was born in Yanagawa Village, Esashi District, Iwate Prefecture.
Although he passed away at the age of 65, much to the sorrow of many, he continues to exert a profound influence on countless artists.
The album “A LONG VACATION,” for which Takashi Matsumoto—Happy End’s lyricist and drummer—wrote most of the lyrics, is a true masterpiece among masterpieces, so be sure to savor the brilliance of its lyrics, melodies, and arrangements to the fullest!
Niagara Sound and Eiichi Ohtaki’s Timeless Masterpieces of Falling in Love (41–50)
CIDER’74Ohtaki Eiichi
Among the many commercial songs Eiichi Ohtaki created in the 1970s, the Mitsuya Cider commercials from 1973 to 1975 were broadcast frequently, featuring a refreshingly clear voice that perfectly matched the product.
This is the 1974 version.
Jun Fubuki, who shows a cute expression, also drew attention.
Because of the heatOhtaki Eiichi
The Pocari Sweat commercials have become well-known for featuring Yoh Yoshida and Rio Suzuki as a mother-daughter duo.
In 2023, Keiko Matsuzaka joined as well, playing a graceful lady passing by, resulting in a humorous ad that conveys the importance of summer hydration.
The song used in this series of commercials is Eiichi Ohtaki’s “Atsusa no Sei” (“Because of the Heat”).
This previously unreleased track by Ohtaki, with its simply repeated lyrics, really gives you the feeling that the heat is throwing something out of balance.
