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“Sentimental City Romance”

SENTIMENTAL CITY ROMANCE is a Japanese rock band that was formed in 1973. The group has released 12 studio albums, 2 live albums, 10 singles and numbers of compilations.

As a group, they have the longest life among all bands in Japan with more than a majority of the band members staying the same. Typical of the Japanese, they are very modest towards their achievement.

Originally, they were mainly influenced by the American country/southern rock music and some British music. But they soon found their original play style as well as their unique Japanese lyrics.

Beginning with an appearance for first time in front of the crowds at “The 3rd Haruichiban Music Festival” in Osaka this new teenager band impressed the audiences and other musicians with their highly skilled music performance and beautiful harmony. While the folk, blue and pop music were the main stream, their music was something very different.

The group released their self-titled debut album and single Uchiwamome in 1975 on CBS Sony Records. The album won the CBS Sony golden LP prize. Their second and third albums Holiday and City Magic were released over the following two years.

During their 10th anniversary the group released two albums Smiling and Dancing and two singles Smiling Face and Turning Point but this time on Polydor Records. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (of Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers fame) joined their album Dancing.

Throughout the rest of the 80’s they released the albums Happy End, Relax (1984), Summer Days and numerous singles on Polydor. To celebrate their 20th anniversary the group released a live CD, video and laser disc from their performance at “MET Hall Ikebukuro” in Tokyo.

In 2004, the group performed a live gig to celebrate their 30th anniversary that was broadcasted throughout Japan. The following year they performed at the Hyde Park Music Festival and in 2007, they performed at the Fuji Rock Festival – two very prestigious events.

Three years ago their single Sentimental City, which was written for a TV series “Hanayome Noren”, was released on Warner Music Japan, which was followed the following year with their new album Yattokame, also on Warner Music Japan. Most recently (February 2013), Universal Music Japan re-issued eight of their albums.

Last year, the group performed a free live gig to celebrate their 40th anniversary at “Aichi Forest Park” and “Shibuya Club Quattro”. During their 40th anniversary the group performed 26 live gigs through Japan

Tokuo Nakano: Vocal/Guitar
Yutaka Hosoi: Keyboard/Vocal/Harps/Accordion/Sax
Shinji Segawa: Bass/Chorus
Hiroyuki Taneda: Guitar
Marota Imase: Drums