【RELEASE INFO】細野晴臣全面参加、ロサンゼルスで録音された高田渡初期の名盤『FISHIN’ ON SUNDAY』、80年代／90年代の傑作『ねこのねごと』『渡』の3作が最新リマスタリングにて数量限定でアナログ化！
Three limited-edition analog records will be reissued over three consecutive months: "FISHIN' ON SUNDAY," which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year since its release; "Neko no Negoto," released in 1983; and "Wataru," released 10 years later as his last original album. This will be the first time "Wataru" has been released on analog format. All three works feature the latest remastering by Soichiro Nakamura (Peace Music) and liner notes by Shinichi Ogawa (the notes for "Wataru" were newly written for this reissue).
＊We received a comment from Ren Takada regarding this analog release.
“Wataru's Wake”
Ren Takada
This is a reissue of the 70s/80s/90s trajectory, or perhaps a journey through time and space, of my father's first and only visit to the US, the epoch-making "FISHIN' ON SUNDAY" featuring Haruomi Hosono and Van Dyke Parks, "Neko no Negoto," which has the strongest European (or "world music" as it was called then) influence of all his works, and the hidden masterpiece "Wataru," produced by Keiichi Suzuki, which deserves to be reevaluated. Moreover, "Wataru" is being released on analog for the first time.
Each of these albums (or rather, the life of the rare being that is Wataru Takada himself) is filled with legendary anecdotes that cannot be fully conveyed here, and because of this, the lively studio atmosphere permeates through the sounds captured within.
Listening to each album again, I can almost see Wataru Takada's shy smile, a man who truly loved music from all over the world. Riding on these colorful waves of sound, the words of many poets row their boats. In 2026, I would like to raise a toast to the dawn of the Age of Discovery of Wataru Takada.
I sincerely hope that these musical traces will reach you through the grooves of these records.
TBV-0108 Wataru Takada "FISHIN' ON SUNDAY" (Released May 27, 2026)
This 1976 work by folk singer Wataru Takada, who sang satirical lyrics with humor, was his first recording in Los Angeles. While primarily featuring a trio with Haruomi Hosono, who also produced the album, and Isato Nakagawa, some songs also feature Van Dyke Parks on piano and Robert Greenidge on steelpan, giving it a Caribbean flavor. Nevertheless, his soulful singing voice and skillful guitar playing with Isato Nakagawa remain consistent, making this an early masterpiece where you can fully enjoy Takada Wataru's unique style.
■Reservations now open
https://store.tuff-beats.com/products/tbv-0108
TBV-0109 Wataru Takada "Neko no Negoto" (Released June 10, 2026)
Released in 1983 from Tokuma Japan's Climax label, this is Wataru Takada's 8th album. It begins with "Grandfather's Clock," transitioning from autoharp melodies to children's chorus, and is filled with good-time music colored by diverse genres and instruments such as folk, Tex-Mex, and European traditional music. Over 10 friends participated in the recording. This was his only album released in the 1980s, when he was most actively touring the country.
■Reservations now open
https://store.tuff-beats.com/products/tbv-0109
TBV-0110 Wataru Takada "Wataru" (Released July 22, 2026)
Released in May 1993, this was his first original album in 10 years since "Neko no Negoto." Perhaps due to an increase in young fans thanks to "Honto wa Minna," a commercial song for House Stew, it also includes a re-recorded version of his representative song "Seikatsu no Gara." This is an excellent work that clearly showcases Wataru Takada's world, making it highly recommended for beginners. It was produced by Keiichi Suzuki and features members of Moonriders and Hachimitsu Pie.
■Reservations now open
https://store.tuff-beats.com/products/tbv-0110
【Wataru Takada Profile】
Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1949, raised in Tokyo.
In 1968, he gained attention by singing "Jieitai ni Hairou" (Let's Join the Self-Defense Forces) at a folk camp, and the following year, he debuted with "Wataru Takada / Itsutsu no Akai Fusen" (Wataru Takada / Five Red Balloons) from URC.
He established a unique style of putting melodies to his own works as well as to modern poetry by poets such as Baku Yamanoguchi and songs by enka singers from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras.
Using this original method, he continuously created Japanese folk songs and continued to sing throughout Japan for nearly 40 years. In 2004, the music documentary film "Takada Wataru Teki" was released, along with a soundtrack of the same name. In April 2005, he passed away suddenly during a performance in Hokkaido.
【Product Information】
Artist: Wataru Takada
Title: FISHIN' ON SUNDAY
Label: Tokuma Japan Communications Distribution: TUFF BEATS
Format: LP
CatNo.: TBV-0108 (TJJA-10082)
Barcode: 4580187181724
Price: ¥5,000 + tax
Release Date: May 27, 2026 (Wed)
■Tracklist:
Side A
1. Fishin' Blues
2. Alien with a Head in Hands
3. Hey Hey Blues
4. Free Guy
5. Autumn Night Conversation
Side B
1. To My First Child
2. Pawn Shop
3. Rainy Day
4.漣 (Sazanami)
5. Fishin' On Sunday
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Artist: Wataru Takada
Title: Neko no Negoto
Label: Tokuma Japan Communications Distribution: TUFF BEATS
Format: LP
CatNo.: TBV-0109 (TJJA-10083)
Barcode: 4580187181731
Price: ¥5,000 + tax
Release Date: June 10, 2026 (Wed)
■Tracklist:
Side A
1. Grandfather's Clock
2. Lullaby for Children on a Winter Night
3. Stone
4. Cat's Meow
5. On a Night I Want to Drink
Side B
1. Lime Rock
2. Someday
3. Bye Bye
4. Lazybones
5. My Blue Sky
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Artist: Wataru Takada
Title: Wataru
Label: Tokuma Japan Communications Distribution: TUFF BEATS
Format: LP
CatNo.: TBV-0110 (TJJA-10084)
Barcode: 4580187181748
Price: ¥5,000 + tax
Release Date: July 22, 2026 (Wed)
■Tracklist:
Side A
1. Looking for a Job
2. Skinship Blues
3. Illness
4. Aiko
5. Ikiteru Song ~ Wildflower
6. Everyone is Really
Side B
1. This Must Be a Grave
2. Twilight
3. Sake Heart
4. Pattern of Life
5. Lonely Now
6. Wind