Wataru Takada / FISHIN' ON SUNDAY (LP)

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Three of Wataru Takada's masterpieces, "FISHIN' ON SUNDAY", recorded in Los Angeles with Haruomi Hosono's full participation, and the 80s/90s masterpieces "Neko no Negoto" and "Wataru", are now available on limited edition vinyl with the latest remastering!
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Three albums, "FISHIN' ON SUNDAY" celebrating its 50th anniversary since release, "Neko no Negoto" released in 1983, and "Wataru", which was released 10 years later and became his last original album, will be reissued as limited edition vinyl over three consecutive months. "Wataru" is making its vinyl debut with this release.
All three albums have been newly remastered by Soichiro Nakamura (Peace Music) and come with liner notes by Shinichi Ogawa (newly written for this reissue of "Wataru").

*If all three albums are ordered simultaneously, delivery will be on July 22, 2026 (Wednesday), the release date of "Wataru". If you wish for individual deliveries, please place separate orders.

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*We received a comment from Ren Takada regarding the vinyl release of the three albums.

"Wataru's Wake"
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Ren Takada

"FISHIN' ON SUNDAY," a joyful epoch-making album that marked my father's first and only trip to the US, featuring Haruomi Hosono and Van Dyke Parks; "Neko no Negoto," the most European-influenced album (or "world music" in the parlance of the time) in his entire career; and "Wataru," a hidden masterpiece produced by Keiichi Suzuki that deserves re-evaluation today. These three albums from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, charting his journey or perhaps a tavern-hopping odyssey transcending time and space, are now being reissued. Furthermore, "Wataru" is being released on vinyl for the first time.
Each album (or rather, the life of the rare individual that was Wataru Takada himself) is filled with legendary anecdotes that cannot be conveyed here, and because of this, the lively studio atmosphere almost wafts through the spaces in the recorded sound.
And listening to each album again, I can almost see Wataru Takada's shy smile, the man who dearly loved music from all over the world. On the waves of such colorful sound, the words of many poets row their boats. In 2026, I want to raise a toast to the dawn of the Age of Discovery for Wataru Takada.
I sincerely hope that these tracks will reach everyone as grooves on a record.
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TBV-0108 Wataru Takada "FISHIN' ON SUNDAY" (Released May 27, 2026)

A 1976 work by folk singer Wataru Takada, who sang satiric lyrics wrapped in humor. This was his first recording in Los Angeles, produced by Haruomi Hosono. While primarily a trio with Hosono and Isato Nakagawa, some songs feature Van Dyke Parks on piano and Robert Greenidge on steelpan, giving it a Caribbean flavor. Nevertheless, his soulful voice and skillful guitar playing with Isato Nakagawa remain consistent, making this an early masterpiece that showcases Wataru Takada's unique style.

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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 yen + tax
Release Date: May 27, 2026 (Wednesday)

■Tracklist:
Side A
1. Fishin' Blues
2. Alien Holding His Head
3. Hey Hey Blues
4. Free Guy
5. Autumn Evening Conversation

Side B
1. For My First Child
2. Pawnbroker
3. Rainy Day
4.漣 (Sazanami)
5. Fishin' On Sunday