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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.

Niagara Sound and Eiichi Ohtaki’s Timeless Masterpieces of Falling in Love (41–50)

poorOhtaki Eiichi

This is the “Himadarake Version” of “Binbō” from the album Eiichi Ohtaki, released on November 25, 1972.

With its soulful, funky performance and vocals, the arrangement makes you think, “Wow, Binbō can be sung like this too!”

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tousled hairOhtaki Eiichi

This is a song included on the first album, “Eiichi Ohtaki.” It’s the first of his works to feature strings, with the arrangement handled by engineer Kinji Yoshino.

According to Ohtaki himself, if you slow down the tempo, it becomes “A Happy Ending.” It might be fun to compare the two.

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Fussa Strut (Part II)Ohtaki Eiichi

This is the song that served as the original inspiration for Ulfuls’ “Osaka Strut,” and it was included on the album “NIAGARA MOON,” released on May 30, 1975.

Indispensable for capturing who Eiichi Ohtaki is, its funky performance and vocals continue to captivate listeners.

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Flying WhaleOhtaki Eiichi

Starting with piano and performed with slightly classical instruments, this song features minimal beats and is arranged in a way reminiscent of Paul McCartney’s mid-period Beatles work.

The lyrics are also outstanding; it’s a track whose richness of expression commands admiration.

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A Happy EndingOhtaki Eiichi

Eiichi Ohtaki, who was active mainly in the 1970s and 80s as a singer-songwriter and a songwriter for other artists, released this song in February 1997 as the theme for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama “Love Generation.” It reached No.

2 on the Oricon charts and sold a total of 970,000 copies, making it his biggest hit single.

Including the B-side “Let’s Start with Happy End,” the title plays on the name of the band “Happy End,” which Ohtaki once belonged to.

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In conclusion

I introduced some of Eiichi Ohtaki’s classic songs.

Did you find a new favorite or make any new discoveries? From long-beloved tracks like “Kimi wa Tennenshoku” to songs covered by many artists, all the way to cult-favorite gems—the range is really wide! Ohtaki’s pop music is the very essence of “music,” and listening to it is both uplifting and soothing.