BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1979
“Life in Tokyo” is a song by the British band Japan. A collaboration with disco producer Giorgio Moroder, who also co-wrote the song with David Sylvian, it marked a change of direction from the bands previous sound. Originally released as a single in 1979, it was reissued twice before it finally became a hit on The UK Singles Chart in 1982.
The song was written by Giorgio Moroder and band vocalist David Sylvian. The musical style is in line with Moroder’s electronic disco style as already employed on albums by Donna Summer, Munich Machine and on his own From Here to Eternity in 1977. Moroder’s trademark arpeggiated synthesiser can be heard throughout the track.
SIDE A:
Life In Tokyo Part I (Disco Version) 7:09
SIDE B:
Life In Tokyo Part II (Single Version) 3:32
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Ariola Hansa – AHAD 540
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Red
Country: UK
Released: 12 Apr 1979
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop, Disco
CREDITS:
Producer [Produced By] – Giorgio Moroder
Written-By – D. Sylvian*, G. Moroder*
NOTES:
Made in England
12″ Vinyl Single pressed on Red Vinyl and supplied in ‘Camera’ sleeve with the notes: ‘Limited Edition 12″ Single, Extended Version’.
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
I”m at the point of this blog that I’m willing to listen to anything you’ve posted, whether I’ve heard of the artist / music, or not.
Thanks for endless musical surprises, Paul.
Can someone please explain the true story of the different mixes of this song? I have the limited edition CD of “Quiet Life” that includes “Life In Tokyo (Extended Remix)” lasting exactly the same (7:06) but when compared to this vinyl I realized instantly that the mix is different, being the most noticeable the lower level of the snare drum in the vinyl and the female choruses in the end with the addition of Silvian on the CD.
Damn! I meant Sylvian.
Theres the edited version on the Assemblage album, then there’s the version on this 12” single, which is the original, unedited long version, then there’s the Steve Nye remix from 1982 and then there’s another, alternate mix which apparently was a remix by Giorgio Moroder himself. That can be found on the Souvenir From Japan CD/cassette.
Another high quality post, thanks Paul.
One of my favorite bands and maybe their best song. Also ‘Quiet Life’ is a great track. Thanks Paul.
Although I never really got into Japan I recently have started dipping into their music. I missed out!! Thanks for this great vinyl transfer Paul. Excellent skills transferring these beauties with a very pleasant sound.
Thank you Nubben 🙂
Love Japan and especially this track — in every version. That’s so much for posting.
You’re welcome VanceMan 🙂
What a way to end a fantastic week of posts.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Mark 🙂
Thank you Paul!!! Fantastic song.
You’re welcome Guss 🙂
Awesome choice DJ Paul. 🙂
Do you ever delve into David Sylvian’s solo work? It’s not necessarily BTG material, but very good nonetheless. Dead Bees on a Cake is possibly my favourite album title of all time.
Thanks, Jermajesty. I do have a couple of David’s singles maybe I will get around to posting them someday 🙂
Very cool.
Japan is classic.
Never got tired of listening to “Quiet Life”.
Thanks Paul, and have a nice weekend!
You’re welcome, Holger. Have a nice weekend 🙂
Thanks Paul. Although i like the original version i also like the 1982 remix which has a different intro.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
I have this pressing, not the greatest pressing of the song. The black sleeve with white logo is the best version, it also has the rare, long version of European Son.
I also have the black sleeve version but mine has “Life In Tokyo (Theme)” as the b-side and an extended remix on the A-side.
https://www.discogs.com/Japan-Life-In-Tokyo/release/95821
That version of European Son is not all that rare, having been released on many CD comps since. The rare one is the Steve Nye mixed 12″ version which, as far as I know, has never been issued on CD. The last time it surfaced was on a triple vinyl edition of the Quiet Life album in 2012.
https://www.discogs.com/Japan-Quiet-Life/release/3733020
I fibbed, it appears to be on this release!
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Twelve-Inch-Eighties-Digging-Your-Scene/release/9073332
Your continued work is outstanding Paul!! I really need to look into this band’s discography because I like what I hear. So cool about Giorgio Moroder’s involvement here. The electronic sound of his “I Feel Love” and “From Here To Eternity” was my favorite stage of Moroder’s work. And of course M. influenced (greatly) Patrick Cowley. See, so much of your work Paul makes my mind race to all sorts of connections and all.
Have a fantastic weekend Paul and BTG readers!
Jeff
Have a fantastic weekend Jeff 🙂
Japan never got their due in the US. This single is spectacular!
I agree Dean they were forgotten by the U.S. market.