Singer-songwriter Mariko Hamada, who continues her musical activities based in her hometown of Matsue City, will release her 8th original album, "Gokujou" (Supreme), on July 22nd through her own label, "Camellia Records." This is Hamada's first self-produced work, and she will be holding release記念ライブ (release commemorative live performances) in various locations starting in June.
Hamada, who has been actively working since turning 60, has completed a "nationwide tour" visiting all 47 prefectures of Japan, while also singing Showa-era pop songs in "My Last Song," a musical stage show he has been doing with Kyoko Koizumi since 2008. His first original album in eight years features members of his band "Gokujo," formed in 2024, as guests, and showcases a sound that is a little different from his usual piano-accompanied style.
The performers included the "supreme" musicians Manabu Hiyama (accordion), Ayumi Hashimoto (cello), and Marino Ikemura (saxophone), as well as percussionist Genta Egawa. Ikemura has been participating in Hamada's national tours for the past few years, and once again delivered a well-coordinated performance. This marks Hashimoto's first collaboration with Hamada since the 2013 album "But Beautiful." Hashimoto also handled the arrangement of "The Crow," a track from Hamada's first album "mariko," which she self-covered for this project. She has brought out a new facet of this fan-favorite classic.
The album includes "Gokujo no Waltz," an original song by Hiyama, which is the origin of the album title and the band's name, "Gokujo" (meaning "supreme" or "ultimate"). Hiyama's rich, acoustic-based sound is complemented by Egawa's expert percussion, adding depth to the entire work. The album is filled with high-quality, rich music that blends classical, jazz, and Japanese popular songs, evoking both nostalgia and a sense of freshness.
◇Track List
1. A small coffee shop
2. Love in a Dead End
3. Sparkling People
4. Waltz of the Blue Moon
5. The Tavern in the City of God
6. The Crow
7. A Superb Waltz (instrumental)
8. Waiting for the wind
9. Oh stars, oh stars
10. Adieu
◇Release Commemoration Tour
June 25th, Shibuya Club Quattro, Tokyo
July 24th, Hiroshima Club Quattro
July 26th, Matsue General Welfare Center
August 4th, Osaka, Umeda Club Quattro
August 6th, Nagoya Club Quattro
November 5th, Naha Sakurazaka Theater
November 7th, Okinawa, Miyako Island GOOD LUCK
