Hi-Fi Set
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder | Junko Yamamoto, Toshihiko Yamamoto, Shigeru Okawa |
| Defunct | 1994 |
Area served | Japan |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Hi-Fi Set was a Japanese musical ensemble established in 1974 and dissolved in 1994. The group consisted of Junko Yamamoto, Toshihiko Yamamoto, and Shigeru Okawa.
Formation and Early Phase
After the folk band Red Bird disbanded in 1974 due to artistic disagreements, former members Junko Yamamoto (vocals and guitar), Toshihiko Yamamoto (guitar), and Shigeru Okawa (bass) came together to create Hi-Fi Set.
Rise to Prominence
The group launched their career in 1975 with the single "Graduation Photo", penned by Yumi Arai, which was also the title track of their debut album. They gained traction by reinterpreting multiple songs written by Arai, such as "Cold Rain" and "Smile in the Morning Sun".
Their rendition of Morris Albert's "Feelings" in 1977 quickly became a major success, coinciding with their participation in the renowned NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen New Year's Eve broadcast. Featuring Junko Yamamoto’s soprano, Toshihiko Yamamoto’s tenor, and Shigeru Okawa’s bass vocals blended with refined urban-style arrangements, they emerged as key figures during Japan’s new music movement.
Initially serving as opening performers for established names like Miwako Hiromatsu, Hi-Fi Set expanded their audience with popular tracks such as "My Beautiful Music" and "Sky Restaurant," the latter later sampled by American rapper J. Cole. After a short break in 1980, they resumed activities in 1981, becoming pioneers of Japanese-language 4-beat jazz songs.
The 1984 release "I want to be honest" represented the pinnacle of their commercial achievements. Throughout their twenty-year career, they produced 26 singles and 19 albums before disbanding in 1994 to embark on individual endeavors.
Post-Disbandment Developments
Following the group's breakup, Junko Yamamoto continued her career as a singer-songwriter until she announced an indefinite hiatus in 2014. Toshihiko Yamamoto shifted to music production until his passing on March 27, 2014. Shigeru Okawa faced arrest but was not charged for an attempted theft in 1995 and did not resume his involvement in music after the band dissolved.
Members
- Junko Yamamoto (born December 30, 1949), native of Tenkawa-mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara Prefecture.
- Toshihiko Yamamoto (February 23, 1947 – March 27, 2014), born in Osaka.
- Shigeru Okawa (born September 6, 1945), from Mie Prefecture.
Albums
| # | Release date | Title | Tracklist | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMI Music Japan Toshiba EMI/ EXPRESS | |||||||||||||
| 1st | February 5, 1975 | Graduation Photo | #OVERTURE #AGES OF ROCK AND ROLL #Graduation Photo #Warmth of the chest #Between today and tomorrow #Big town #Museum #Tenmaru wooden horse #Fish and Chips #Afternoon watching the sea #Ai no Hana Blooming Road | ||||||||||
| 2nd | June 5, 1976 | Fashionable Lover | #Star Stranger #Chaoyang Smile inside #Juman Nui #Farewell Party #Cold Rain #Fashionable Lover #Desolate #Midnight Remnants #Moonlight #Grand Canyon | ||||||||||
| 3rd | February 5, 1977 | Love Collection | #On Any Sunday #Rain Station #Sleepy Morning #Dazzling You #Night Scratch #Crystal Night #Love Fee Ring #Hi-Fi Set Version "Feeling" #Country Boy #Dreaming Jamaica #Central Freeway | ||||||||||
| 4th | September 5, 1977 | THE DIARY | #Love Diary #Wind City #Memo Random #At the seaside summer resort #Love is everything #Marshmallow at the fireplace #Someday to the star #Personal message #Little Baroque | ||||||||||
| 5th | June 5, 1978 | Swing | #Swing #Slightly detour #Firebird #Hang glider in the evening sky #To the airport #Dawn #Lady Gray #Dance Dance Dance #Oh Lucky Lady #Let me go | ||||||||||
| 6th | November 20, 1978 | Coming Up | #Knockdown #Shooting Star #Midnight Angel #Alone Christmas #HAVANA CANDY #Burbon Trip #Monday Prologue #Monochrome #Night Sky South (WE ARE FLYING) #Winter Sea | ||||||||||
| 7th | July 5, 1979 | Flash (Flash) | #Two people along the line #Last spring vacation #School band girl #22 Hour 15 #Rain Waltz and Rubbing You #Slow Dance #Kimagure Trump #Night Long Distance Bus #Spring Begins #Singing | ||||||||||
| 8th | December 20, 1979 | QUARTER REST | #Dinner on Broadway #Fluffy Melody #Flying Down in the Green Town #TWO IN THE PARTY #Waiting for the Snowfall #DESTINY #Smiley Smile #When May Comes #CONCERT LANE #PARTY IS OVER #PS | ||||||||||
| 9th | June 21, 1981 | 3 NOTES | #Dangerous Friendship #Life is Jam Session #LAST BALLAD, LAST COIN #Boots And Sake and Wedding Dress #I Love You Again #Bop's clubhouse #Conceit Smile #Flame-colored August #Trio Koi SOUNDS #starlight lullaby | ||||||||||
| 10th | April 1, 1982 | 1 & 2 | #BIG BRASS #Hello MR.TELEPHONE #Distant call from the past #Wow! #Midnight Bye Bye-Show #Long Good-bye | ||||||||||
| 11th | February 21, 1983 | I miss you | #Downtown LOVE Renaissance #Kokoro Hanareru #Blue Dream #Lose but win #Season Off No Santaclaus Santa Claus #Big Apple #Sentimental Morning #Catherine #Indian Summer no Futari #miss you | ||||||||||
| CBS Sony | |||||||||||||
| 12th | February 25, 1984 | PASADENA PARK | #Light blue wagon #I want to be honest #I can't see it in the rain #July Christmas #1999 #Catherine on air #Magic Mountain Lady #Viva! Off・ Loader #Midnight TV #Good-bye school days | ||||||||||
| 13th | February 25, 1985 | INDIGO | #Rainbow signal #Love madness #Boy friend #Champagne and Earth Movement Theory #Milky way #Star Makeup Halley #Bloomin'blue #Love Double fault #Demian #Rainy Sentosa #Star / Guidance / Night | ||||||||||
| 14th | April 10, 1986 | SWEET LOCOMOTION | #Rosy White #Sweet Locomotion #Do You Remember Me? Graph | ||||||||||
| 15th | April 1, 1987 | Gibraltar | #Ceramic Smile #Time Table #End of Affair #Can Someone Dance? #Summer Finale #Secret Trip #Via Arctic #Paris Vision #White Night #Terminal Station | ||||||||||
| CBS / SONY RECORDS | |||||||||||||
| 16th | March 21, 1988 | Eyebrow | #Platonic Shimasho #Shadow Love #Egg Benedict #Slow Number #Too hot day #NARITA #Sabrina #Cold Summer #Pink Sand Dune #Ferris | ||||||||||
| 17th | March 21,1990 | White Moon |
- Moon Highway - Angels Fly - Eternal Sunny Days - Shall We Dance Again? - Lover only tonight - Morning Flight - Blue Lagoon - Shoot the Moon - Gloria - Gift for Tomorrow |
Sony Records | 18th | April 25,1991 | Get A Move On |
- I will never forget - Her lover - GENESIS LOVE - Love roulette - Sincerely - Shooting star island - ABC again - Long dream - Promised Land - Tear of mother, smile of father | |||||
| 19th | April22,1992 | Tender Loving Care |
- Map - All for You - Decision - Little May Sick - Whereabouts | ||||||||||
Singles
| Release Order | Date Issued | A-Side Track | B-Side Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toshiba EMI/ EXPRESS Alfa Records | |||
| 1st | February 5, 1975 | Graduation Photo Lyrics by Yumi Arai Music by Yumi Arai Arranged by Katsuhisa Hattori |
Museum Words: Shigeru Okawa Music: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Hiroshi Okazaki, Katsuhisa Hattori |
| 2nd | May 5, 1975 | Age's of Rock and Roll Lyrics by Kazue Ohashi Music by Kunihiko Murai Arrangement by Matsutoya Masataka |
Warmth of the chest Lyricist:Michio Yamagami Composer: Kunihiko Murai Arranged by Katsuhisa Hattori |
| 3rd | July 5, 1975 | I dream about it. Lyrics: Jack Fishman Japanese lyrics by Michio Yamagami Composer: Kunihiko Murai Arrangement by Anita Kerr |
Turmental) Composer: Kunihiko Murai Arranged by Anita Car |
| 4th | November 5, 1975 | Sky Restaurant Lyrics by Yumi Arai Music composed by Kunihiko Murai Arranged by Yumi Matsutoya |
Come to Haneda on Saturday night Words: Yumi Arai Music: Kunihiko Murai Arrangement: Yumi Matsutoya |
| 5th | April 20, 1976 | Cold Rain Lyrics written by Yumi Arai Composed by Yumi Arai Arranged by Masataka Matsutoya |
Fashionable Lover Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Music composed by Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Masataka Matsutoya |
| 6th | March 6, 1976 | To be happy Words: Yumi Arai Composer: Kunihiko Murai Arrangement: Yumi Matsutoya |
Starry Midnight Lyrics penned by Yumi Arai Music composed by Kunihiko Murai Arranged by Masataka Matsutoya |
| 7th | December 1, 1976 | Feelings < br> Words: Rei Nakanishi < br> Composer:Maurice Albert < br> Arrangement:Shinichi Tanabe | Another Dance < br> Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa < br> Composer: Toshihiko Yamamoto < br> Arrangement: Keitaro Miho |
| 8th | April 20, 1977 | Wind Town < br> Lyricists: Shigeru Okawa and Takashi Matsumoto < br> Composer: Toshihiko Yamamoto < br> Arrangement by Ichizo Seo | Crystal Night < br> Words by Shigeru Okawa < br> Music composed by Toshihiko Yamamoto < br> Arranged by Ichizo Seo |
| 9th | July 5, 1977 | Memorandum < br> Lyricist: Rei Nakanishi < br> Composer:Yoichi Takizawa < br> Arrangement: Bob aleiver | Personal Message < br> Words written by Yu Aku < br> Music composed by Ken Sato < br> Arranged by Bob aleiver |
| 10th | October 20, 1977 | Love Diary < br> Japanese lyrics by Tokiko Iwatani< br> Composer:Neil Sedaka< br> Arranged by Bob aleiver and Howard Greenfield | Love is everything < br> Words: Rei Nakanishi < br> Composer:Carole King< br> Arrangement: Bob aleiver |
| 11th | April 20, 1978 | Just a little around the road Lyrics authored by Machiko Ryu and Rei Nakanishi Music composed by Tadao Inoue Arrangement handled by Kentaro Haneda |
Lady Gray < br> Lyrics written by Machiko Ryu < br> Composer Toshihiko Yamamoto < br> Arrangement Kentaro Haneda |
| Toshiba EMI/ EXPRESS | |||
| 12th | August 20, 1978 | Amerika Monogatari Words penned by Toyohisa Araki Composed and arranged by Yuji Ohno |
Summer Separation < br> Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa < br> Composition: Shun Yamamoto Hiko < br> Arrangement:Hiroshi Shinkawa |
| 13th | November 5, 1978 | Tropical Night Lyrics written by Shigeru Okawa Music composed and arranged by Toshihiko Yamamoto and Hiroshi Shinkawa respectively Strings arrangement: Shinichi Tanabe |
Moeru Aki Words authored by Hiroyuki Itsuki Composition credited to Toru Takemitsu Arrangement done by Shinichi Tanabe |
| 14th | May 20, 1979 | Two people along the line Lyrics penned by Shigeru Okawa Composed and arranged respectively by Toshihiko Yamamoto and Hiroshi Shinkawa Chorus arrangement also credited to Toshihiko Yamamoto |
Monday's Prologue Lyrics from Machiko Ryu Music composed by Ken Sato Arrangement executed by Shinichi Tanabe Chorus arranged with contribution from Junko Yamamoto |
| 15th | October 21, 1981 | NOVEMBER RAIN< br>Words authored by Shigeru Okawa Music composed and arranged respectively by Toshihiko Yamamoto and Mitsuhiko Sato |
BYE-BYE BOY Lyrics credited to Shigeru Okawa Composition and arrangement handled respectively by Toshihiko Yamamoto and Mitsuhiko Sato |
| 16th | March 21, 1982 | Hello MR.TELEPHONE< br>Lyrics written by Shigeru Okawa Composed and arranged respectively by Toshihiko Yamamoto and Mitsuhiko Sato |
AIR MAIL from home Lyrics from Shigeru Okawa Composition and arrangement credited to Toshihiko Yamamoto and Mitsuhiko Sato respectively |
| 17th | October 21, 1982 | miss you< br>Lyrics authored by Shigeru Okawa Muscic composed and arranged respectively by Toshihiko Yamamoto and Mitsuhiko Sato |
Downtown Love Renaissance Lyrics credited to Shigeru Okawa Muscic composition and arrangement handled respectively by Toshihiko Yamamoto and Mitsuhiko Sato |
| 18th | February 1, 1983 | When i'm away from my heart< br>Lyrics:Yoshitaka Minami< br>Arrangement:Mitsuhiko Sato | LAST BALLAD, LAST COIN When i'm away from my heart Lyrics : Shigeru Okawa Composition : Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement : Mitsuhiko Sato |
| 19th | April 5, 1983 | Love story is about to come< br>Lyrics : Shigeru Okawa Composition : Yoshitaka Minami Arrangement : Ichizo Seo |
Blue Dream Lyrics : Shigeru Okawa Composition : Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement : Mitsuhiko Sato |
| CBS Sony | |||
| 20th | January 21, 1984 | I want to be honest DON'T YOU TELL HIM? < br>Lyrics:Masamichi Sugi< br>Composition : Masamichi Sugi< br>Arrangement:Akira Inoue | Goodbye school days Lyrics : Shigeru Okawa< br>Composition:Akira Okamoto< br>Arrangement : Akira Inoue |
| 21st | May 21, 1984 | Light Blue Wagon< br>Lyrics:Shun Taguchi< br>Muscic composed Toshihiko Yamamoto< br>Aarrangement:Hiroshi Shinkawa< br>Chorus arrangement:Toshihiko Yamamoto | Christmas in July Lyrics:Shun Taguchi< br>Muscic composed:Ginji Ito< br>Aarrangement:Ryoichi Kuniyoshi< br>Chorus arrangement:Toshihiko Yamamoto |
| 22nd | November 1,1984 | Star Makeup Halley< br>Lyrics:Toshun Taguchi< br>Muscic composed Masamichi Sugi< br>Aarrangement Akira Inoue< br >Chorus arrangement:Toshihito yamamoto / Mari sugi | Demian< br >Lyrics:Toshun Taguchi< br >Muscic composition:Yamamoto Toshihito< br >Arrangment Akira Inoue< br >Chorus arrangement:Toshihito yamamoto |
| 23rd | February 5,1985 | Rainbow signal< br >Lyrics:Aundai < br >Muscic composition:Ginji Ito< br >Arrangment Akira Inoue | Boy friend< br >Lyrics:Ryo Koizumi < br >Muscic composition Masamichi sugi< br >Arrangment Akira Inoue |
| 24th | February 5,1985 | Hitokire no Koi< br >Lyric:Ryo Koizumi< br >Muscic composition Masamichi sugi< br >Arrangment Akira Inoue | Koi no Double fault< br >Lyric:Dai Aun< br >Composer:Toshihito yamamoto< br >Arrangment Akira Inoue |
| CBS / SONY RECORDS | |||
| 25th | May 21,1988 | Platonic Shimasho< Br >Lyric:Toshun Taguchi< Br >Composer Masamichi sugi< Br >Arrangment Hiroshi shinkawa | For the time being NARITA ANYWAY TO NARITA Lyric/Shigeru okawa Composer/Toshhito yamamoto Arrangment HEXAGON |
| 26th | December1,1989 | Lover only tonight< Br >Lyric/Shigeru okawa Composer/Toshhito yamamoto Arrangment/Osamu Koike | Moon Highway Lyric/Shun Taguchi Composer/Toshhito yamamoto Arrangment/Hiroshi shinkawa |
| 27th | March1,1990 | Angels Fly ~ Angel's Season ~< Br >Lyric/Megumi sato Composer/Toshhito yamamoto Arrangment/Hiroshi shinkawa | Morning Flight Lyric/Megumi sato Composer/Toshhito yamamoto Arrangment/Norimasa yamazaki |
| Sony Records | |||
| 28th | April25,1991 | I will never forget< Br >Lyric:Kazumasa Oda Composer/Kazumasa Oda Arrangment/Kazumasa Oda | ABC again Lyric/Shigeru okawa Composer/Toshhito yamamoto Arrangment/Hiroshi shinkawa |
Live album
| Edition | Release date | Album name | Tracks recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| ーニー-ミュージックレコーズ/CBS/SONY RECORDS | |||
| 1st | 1989 3/21 | COLLECTION |
|
Videography
| Edition | Release date | Title | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Music Records/CBS・Sony | |||
| 1st | 1985 | "'Rainbow Signal'" | |
Additional Songs / Collaborations
| Song title | Association | Release format | Year released |
|---|---|---|---|
| To Be Happy | Theme for Nippon TV drama "Tanpopo (TV drama)#3 Series/Tanpopo" | Single "To Be Happy" | 1976 |
| Smiling in the Chaoyang | Theme song for film "Frozen River" | Album "Fashionable Lover" | |
| City of the Wind | CM image song for Yamaha Corporation "Yamaha-Passol/Passol" | Single "City of the Wind" | 1977 |
| Firebird | Theme song for movie "/火の鳥" | Album "Coming Up" | 1978 |
| Amerika Monogatari | CM image song for Japan Airlines "COME TO UNITED States/AMERICA '78" | Single "Amerika Monogatari" | |
| Burning Autumn | Theme song for Mitsukoshi・Toho collaboration "Burning autumn" | Single "Tropical Night" | |
| Night Sky to the South (We Are Flying) | CM image song for Morinaga Seika "High Crown" | Album "Swing" | |
| I Love You Again | CM song for Isetan | Album "3 NOTES" | 1981 |
| Two of Indian Summer | Campaign song for Isetan | Album "I Miss You" | 1983 |
| Love Story From Now On | CM image song for Shiseido "Benefit" | Single "Love Story Is Coming" | |
| Blue Dream | Image song for Employment Information Center | ||
| I Want to Be Honest | CF image song for Citizen watch / Citizen "19-year-old Riviere" | Single "I Want to Be Honest" | 1984 |
| Star Makeup Halley | Image song for Kanebo cosmetics | Single "Star Makeup Halley" | |
| Let's Platonic | CM image song for en:BVD/BVD | Single "Let's Platonic" | 1988 |
| Tonight Only Lover | '90 WINTER Image song for Xebio Holdings/Victoria | Single "Tonight Only Lover" | 1989 |
| Moon Highway | Radio CM song for HUMAX/HUMAX GROUP | ||
| Angels Fly - Season of Angels〜 | Image song for Hitachi Hitachi room air conditioner "White Kumakun" | Single "Angels Fly 〜 Season of Angels" | 1990 |
| Eternal Sunny Days | CM image song for Yamada Homes / Kobori Sumiten | Album "White Moon" | |
| A Gift for Tomorrow | Theme song for morning drama series "Flower pearl" on Yomiuri TV Broadcast/Yomiuri TV-NTV Broadcasting Network/NTV | ||
| I Will Not Forget | Theme song for "Tuesday Mystery Theater" on TV Asahi | Single "I Won't Forget" | 1991 |
| Genesis Love | CM image song for Shoko Chukin Bank/Shoko Chukin | Album "Get A Move On" |
Unreleased tracks
- "Joy" – Featured in a Toyota Motor Corporation commercial for the Toyota Carina (lyrics by Yu Akyu, composed by Yasuhiro Suzuki, 1988)
NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen performance record
| Year/Broadcast | Edition | Song performed | Performance sequence | Competitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 (Show 52) | 28th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen | Feeling | Opening act | Koichi Morita and Top Gallant |
- Notes
- The order of appearance is indicated as "Sequence number / Total participants".