Techno Kayō Vol. 1 documents a distinctive chapter in Japanese pop and electronic music history. Compiled by Tokyo record shop owner Dubby (Ondas) and Antal, co-founder of Rush Hour, the compilation brings together rare tracks from 1981 to 1989 – a period in which pop melodies collided with synthesizers and drum machines. The resulting style, Techno kayō, is rooted in traditional kayōkyoku, inspired by European acts like Kraftwerk – and yet entirely its own.
The track selection highlights the versatility of this retro-futurist moment. Kuniko Yamada’s »Tetsugaku Shiyo« fuses pop lightness with a hint of rap, while Kazuo Ōtani’s »Last Battle« feels almost cinematic – driven by a stoic beat. Hikashu’s »Melonno Nakano Hitsuji«, clocking in at fifteen minutes, veers between prog, funk and electronic experimentation. »City Train« by Targets, in turn, shows how close some of these productions came to what would soon be called techno on a global scale.
Techno Kayō Vol. 1 is more than a collection of rare tracks – it’s a lovingly curated time capsule. Released on vinyl only, with detailed artwork, the record sheds light on a chapter of electronic music history that wasn’t written in the West – but sounded just as forward-thinking.
