Enka is a term that became used in the early 70s to describe a slow to medium kayokyoku (pop tune) heavily influenced by native Japanese elements. Enka is often called the heart of the Japanese. In the 50s, the dark pre-war songs were revived, merged with blues to form 'mood' kayo. This fascinating CD delves into the roots of modern day enka. Distinctly Japanese melodies merged with western string orchestras and some Japanese instruments such as shamisen.

1.Isao Hayashi / Dance Party no Yoru 2.Atsuro Okamoto / Shiroi Hana no Sakukoro 3.Hachiro Kasuga / Akai Ramp no Shu-ressha 4.Shigeko Orii / Kuroyuri no Uta 5.Tsuzuko Sugawara / Tsuki ga tottemo aoi kara 6.Yoshiko Ohtsu / Tokyo Annna 7.Hachiro Kasuga / Wakare no Ippon-sugi 8.Michiya Mihashi / Ringo-mura kara 9.Michiya Mihashi / Aishu Ressha 10.Hiroshi Mifune / Otoko no Blues 11.Yujiro Ishihara / Ore wa matteruze 12.Chiyoko Shimakura / Tokyo dayo Okka-san 13.Hibari Misora / Minatomachi Ju-san-banchi 14.Haruo Minami / Chamchiki Okesa 15.Kouichi Aoki / Kakinoki-zaka no Ie 16.Hideo Murata / Muhonmatsu no Issho 17.Peggy Hayama / Nangoku Tosa o Atonishite 18.Hiroshi Mizuhara / Kuroi Hanabira 19.Keiko Matsuyama / Owakare Koushu-denwa 20.Yukio Hashi / Itakogasa

The 60s are considered to be one of the golden ages of enka. Some songs still used the Japanese pentatonic scale, combining Japanese elements with the plaintive 'mood' kayo. This CD features the most important singers.

1.Sachiko Nishida / Akasia no Ame ga yamutoki 2.Frank Nagai / Kimi koishi 3.Hideo Murata / Ousho 4.Kazuo Funaki / Koukou San-nen-sei 5.Yoko Kishi / Yoaki no Uta 6.Akira Kobayashi / Jidousha Shouka 7.Kiyoko Suizenji / Namida o daita Wataridori 8.Harumi Miyako / Ankotsubaki wa Koi no Hana 9.Ai Jorge, Chinami Shima / Akai Glass 10.Saburo Kitajima / Hakodate no Onnna 11.Yoichi Sugawara / Shiritakunaino 12.Masao Sen / Hoshikage no Waltz 13.Akira Kurosawa & Los Primos / Love You Tokyo 14.Kenichi Mikawa / Yanagase Blues 15.Hibari Misora / Kanashii Sake 16.Yujiro Ishihara / Yogiri yo Kyo mo Arigatou 17. Hiroshi Mizuhara / Kimi koso waga Inochi 18.Mina Aoe / Isezaki-cho Blues 19.Hiroshi Uchiyamada & Cool Five / Nagasaki wa Kyo mo Ame data 20.Shinichi Mori / Minatomachi Blues

Price:   £21.99

Another wonderful CD of classic enka, during the other golden age of the music. Tenor sax replaced soprano sax and the sound became lighter. The term enka became widely used as a result of advertising for Keiko Fuji (mother of pop mega star Utada Hikaru) featured on this CD.

1.Keiko Fuji / Keiko no Yume wa Yoru Hiraku 2.Rumiko Koyanagi / Watashi no Jokamachi 3.Shiro Miya & Pinkara Trio / Onna no Michi 4.Yujiro Ishihara / Koi no Machi Sapporo 5.Yuriko Futaba / Ganpeki no Haha 6.Aki Yashiro / Namida-goi 7.Tatsue Kaneda / Hanamachi no Haha 8.Tatsuya Watari / Kuchinashi no Hana 9.Tonosama Kings / Namida no Misao 10.Kiyoshi Nakajo / Uso 11.Shinichi Mori / Erimo Misaki 12.Toshi Ito to Happy & Blue / Watashi Inottemasu 13.Akira Kobayashi / Mukashi no Namae de Deteimasu 14.Harumi Miyako / Kita no Yado kara 15.Sayuri Ishikawa / Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki 16.Masao Sen / Kitaguni no Haru 17.Jiro Atsumi / Yumeioi-zake 18.Mieko Makimura / Michizure 19.Sachiko Kobayashi / Omoide-zake 20.Aki Yashiro / Funauta

In the 80s, typical enka accompaniment had become saxophones, trumpets, electric guitar, electic bass, piano and strings, with occassional shakuhachi or shamisen. 19 heart-rending tracks.

1.Tetsuya Ryu / Okuhida Bojo 2.Eisaku Ohkawa / Sazanka no Yado 3.Harumi Miyako / Osaka Shigure 4.Takashi Hosokawa / Yagiri no Watashi 5.Kenkichi Muraki / Oyaji no Umi 6.Los Indios & Silvia / Wakarete mo Sukina Hito 7.Joji Yamamoto / Michinoku Hitoritabi 8.Gannosuke Ashiya / Musume yo 9.Akio Kayama / Hisame 10.Hiroshi Itsuki / Nagara-gawa Enka 11.Yujiro Ishihara / Brandy Glass 12.Aki Yashiro / Ame no Bojo 13. Ow Yang Fei Fei / Love Is Over 14.Tomio Umezawa / Yume Shibai 15. Teresa Teng / Tsugunai 16.Hibari Misora / Kawa no Nagare no Youni 17.Ikuzo Yoshi / Yukiguni 18.Chiyoko Shimakura / Jinsei Iroiro 19.Ichiro Toba / Kyodai-bune


Price:   £21.99

By the 90s, the lyrics became lighter and the tunes formulaic. Enka has become more popular with younger people.

1. Mitsuko Nakamura / Kawachi Otoko Bushi 2.Oyones / Mugibatake 3.Saori Haruyama / Ichiendama no Tabigarasu 4.Kaori Kozai / Haguresou 5.Miyako Otsuki / Shiroi Kaikyo 6.Takao Horiuchi / Koiuta Tsuzuri 7.Iwao Takayama / Kokoro Koorasete 8.Motomi Tagawa / Onna...Hitoritabi 9.Ayako Fuji / Murasaki Ujo 10.Natsuko Godai / Hitorizake 11.Yoko Nagayama / Suterarete 12.Yoshimi Tendo / Chindo Monogatari 13.Fuyumi Sakamoto / Yozakura Oshici 14.Yuki Kadokura / Nora 15.Yutaka Yamakawa / America-bashi 16.Teruko Aurora (Michiko Kawai) / Meotomichi 17.Itsuro Ohizumi / Mago 18.Miyuki Kawanaka / Nirinsou

Part of a series of albums, whereby top enka singers, sing different styles of music. On this one, big stars such as Harumi Miyako and Yoshimi Tendo tackle pop songs.

1. Itsuki Hiroshi / Chijo no Hoshi 2. Harumi Miyako / Kokoro Moyo 3. Yoshimi Tendo / Katte ni Shiyagare 4. Aki Yashiro / Toki no Sugiyuku Mamani 5. Sayuri Ishikawa / Tonde Istanbul 6. Naomi Chiaki / Keiken 7. Teng Teresa / Merry X'mas in Summer 8. Harumi Miyako / Yume no Tochu 9. Akio Kayama / Ruby no Yubiwa 10. Chiyoko Shimakura / Kekkon Shiyouyo 11. Kenji Niinuma / Nagoriyuki 12. Kim Yeon-ja / Abayo 13. Hibari Misora / Good Night Baby


Price:   £16.99

On this one, top enka singers sing pop style ballads.

1. Kiyoshi Maekawa / Manatsu no Kajitsu 2. Aki Yashiro / Kanpai 3. Sayuri Ishikawa / Eki 4. Kazuo Funaki / Love is Over 5. Marcia / Hagayui Kuchibiru 6. Sachiko Kobayashi / For You... 7. Miyako Otsuki / Koi ni Ochite - Fall in Love 8. Kanako Minami / Sekai ni Hitotsudake no Hana 9. Harumi Miyako / Tabi no Yado 10. Chiyoko Shimakura / Omoide Makura 11. Aki Yashiro / Koibito Yo 12. Yoshimi Tendo / Shikuramen no Kaori 13. Kazuo Funaki / Jonny no Komoriuta 14. Nobue Matsubara / Koi

The Queen of Japanese kayokyoku meets Japan's greatest actor and part-time singer. Morishige died in November 2009 aged 96. Live album recorded at Osaka Festival Hall in 1969. Dream colaboration of two talented entertainers.

CD1.

1.Kyouchikutou No Sakukoro 2. Kurumaya San 3. Senyuu Beppai No Uta 4. Akatsuki Ni Inoru 5. Watanji No Uta 6. Sake No Uta 7. Aa Fune Gakushi

CD2

1.Yawara 2. Yoake Made 3. Kuchibiru Ni Hanashappo Ni Ame 4. Sendou Kouta 5. Ginza No Suzume 6. Jougashima No Ame 7. Murasaki No Yoake 8. Aishuu Hatoba 9. Ringo Oiwake 10. Geidou Ichidai 11. Inori 12 Sukoshi No Aida Sayonara


Price:   £29.99

Hibari Misora (1937-89) is probably regarded as Japan's greatest ever singer- bar none. She was a living national treasure and was the first woman to receive the People's Prize of Honour, and has sold over 80 million records. She is best known for singing enka, but could also sing minyo, jazz and other popular styles. This 18 track album is a sort of beginners guide, with some of her greatest hits from different genres.

1. Stardust 2. A-ressha de Ikou 3. Ave Maria 4. Aloha Oe 5. Kanashiki Kuchibue 6. Tokyo Kid 7. Ringo Oiwake 8. Omatsuri Mambo 9. Yawara 10. Kanashii Sake 11. Tsuki no Yogisha 12. Makka na Taiyo 13. Akatombo 14. Sado Okesa 15. Subaru 16. Ai San San 17.Midaregami 18. Kawa no Nagare no Yoni

Volume 2 of a guide to the music of the legendary Hibari Misora.

1. Paper Moon 2. Miwaku no Waltz 3. Barairo no Jinsei 4. Bojo 5. Tsugaru no Furusato 6. Echigojishi no Uta 7. Minatomachi Jusan Banchi 8. Hanagasa Dochu 9. Rockabilly Kenpo 10. Kurumaya San 11. Kiso Bushi 12. Kono Michi 13. Ryoshu 14. Danny Boy 15. Love is Over


Price:   £20.99

Aside to being known for singing enka, Hibari Misora was also a wonderful singer of minyo or folk songs. This fantastic CD of 20 tracks features those minyo classics, some performed in quite a traditional style, others with a latin or orchestral backing. Tracks include Chakkiri Bushi, Itsuki no Komoriuta, Yakkotai, Kiso Bushi, Joban Tanko Bushi and Sado Okesa.

By the time she was nineteen, Hibari Misora already had a body of work that would have been a lasting legacy. This 2 CD set (CD 1- 24 tracks, CD 2- 19 tracks) contains some of her greatest tunes from the early post war period. Japanese elements are mixed with boogie woogie (Kappa Boogie Woogie) mambo (Omatsuri Mambo) in what was an early world music mixture on CD 1. This also contains big hits such as Tokyo Kid and Ringo Oiwake. CD 2 has a lot of jazz influences on songs such as Shanghai, The Soba Song, Take the A Train, and La Vie en Rose. A truly remarkable talent.


Price:   £29.99

All the jazz songs from the great Hibari you could ever wish for.

CD1. 1. Love 2. Lover Come Back to Me 3. Get Out and Get under the Moon 4. Toma a Surriento 5. Core 'ngrato 6. Jeux Interdits 7. I Love Paris 8. La Vie en Rose 9. C'est Magnifique 10. Hymne a L'amour 11. Ogonek 12. Love is a Many Splendoured Thing 13. Toraji 14. Bengawan Solo 15. Sampa Guita 16. Aloha Oe 17. I Can't Tell a Waltz from a Tango 18. Mack the Knife 19. Cielito Lindo 20. Cu Cu Ru Cu Cu Paloma

CD2 1. Take the 'A' Train 2. Stardust 3. Walkin' My Baby Back Home 4. Blueberry Hill 5. Just One of Those Things 6. Love me or Leave Me 7. Cry me a River 8. Love Letters 9. The Lonely One 10. La Novia 11. It's Only a Paper Moon 12. Dreaming of Home and Mother 13. Loch Lomond 14. Danny Boy 15. Over the Rainbow 16. Too Young 17. Red Sails in the Sunset 18. Pretend 19. Fascination 20. Ave Maria 21. On London Bridge

Collection of rhythm kayo, Japanese style pop mixed with various rhythms. This was a style Hibari was particularly good at. Some of the 'rhythms' and styles are boogie, mambo, Hawaiian, twist, rock and roll and Group Sounds. Also a pretty good document on the history of post war Japanese pop.

Disc 1: 1. Kappa Boogie Woogie 2. Hibari no Hanauri Musume 3. Piano to Violin 4. Omatsuri Mambo 5. Bye Bye Hawaii 6. Haru no Samba 7. Charumera Sobaya 8. Hiyori Geta 9. Furusato no Michi 10. Akarui Utagoe 11. Aishu no Samba 12. Eskemo no Musume 13. Suteki na Rendezvous 14. Penki Nuritate 15. Hibari no Cha Cha Cha 16. Wan Wan Monogatari 17. Wakare no Troika 18. Wakai Kisetsu 19. Kanzashi Koban 20. Renai wa Jiyu Desu 21. Kimagure Tokyo-kko 22. Rock a Billy Kenpo 23. Andes no Yamataka Boshi 24. Shiroi Lunch de Juyon Knott 25. Musume no Naka no Musume

Disc 2 : 1. Furisode Kozou 2. Koi o Matsunara Bus Stop 3. Rock a Billy Geisha 4. Nakiwarai no Mambo 5. Kamome to Soyokaze 6. Suteki na Konya 7. Sutakora Mambo 8. Koi wa Mizu no Uede 9. Kuruyama san 10. Hibari no Dodompa 11. Last Nkght 12. Tengaron Hat 13. Koi wa Fushigi na Mono 14. Ojosan to Koisan 15. Blue Twist 16. Hibari no Twist 17. Souma Bonuta 18. Hoshikage no Hamabe 19. Romantic na Cupid 20. Blue Mambo 21. Shinuhodo Suki 22. Futaridake no Nagisa 23. Makka na Taiyo 24. Sayonara no Mukouni 25. Otemoyan

Price:   £35.99

Released in 2007, to commemorate what would have been her 70th birthday. Hibari covers the greatest kayokyoku (popular songs) and shoka (famous songs originally devised for education).

Disc 1 : 1. Subaru 2. Koibito yo 3. Love is Over 4. Yogiri yo Konya mo Arigato 5. Koukotsu no Blues 6. Good Night Baby 7. Shikaranaide 8. Futari de Osake o 9. Kyo de Owakare 10. Shianbashi Blues 11. Kimi koso Waga Inochi 12. Yume wa Yoru Hiraku 13. Akasia no Ame ga Yamutoki 14. Kuroi Hanabira 15. Ue o Muite Arukou 16. Sekai wa Futari no Tameni 17. Koko ni Sachi ari 18. Aitsu 19. Tsume 20. Sotto Oyasumi

Disc 2 : 1. Kaze 2. Tabi no Yado 3. Shiretoko Ryojo 4. Toki niwa Haha no nai Ko no yoni 5. Kibo 6. Tohku e Ikitai 7. Kitakikou 8. Hoshi no Nagareni 9. Minato ga Mieru Oka 10. Hoshikage no Komichi 11. Soshu Yakyoku 12. Kirameku Seiza 13. Yamagoya no Akari 14. Tokyo no Hanauri Musume 15. Ginza Kan Kan Musume 16. Tokyo Boogie Woogie 17. Aoi Sanmyaku 18. Ringo no Uta 19. Gondora no Uta 20. Katyusha no Uta

Hibari sings some of the most popular enka songs, the style she is probably best known for.

Disc 1 : 1. Yagiri no Watashi 2. Pusan-kou e Kaere 3. Mawarimichi 4. Sazanka no Yado 5. Hosoyuki 6. Kyodaibune 7. Shinjuku Jowa 8. Fusetsu Nagaretabi 9. Meotobune 10. Futarizake 11. Funauta 12. Michinoku Hitoritabi 13. Osaka Shigure 14. Okuhida Bojo 15. Jinsei Kakurenbo 16. Michizure 17. Yumeoizake 18. Sukimakaze 19. Kitaguni no Haru

Disc 2 : 1. Muhonmatsu no Issho 2. Meoto Shunju 3. Namidagoi 4. Shinjuku no Onna 5. Nagasaki wa Kyo mo Ame datta 6. Shuchakueki 7. Kuchinashi no Hana 8. Showa Karesusuki 9. Onna no Asa 10. Ofukuro san 11. Ame 12. Kyodai Jingi 13. Hone made Aishite 14. Naniwa Komoriuta 15. Onna no Yado 16. Karajishi Botan 17. Ousho 18. Namidabune 19. Wakare no Ippon-sugi 20. Jinsei Gekijo


Price:   £32.99

Hibari sings popular natsumero, a style of kayokyoku or popular songs, combining the words 'natsu' natsukashi (melancholic) and 'mero' meaning melody.

Disc 1 : 1. Kage o Shitaite 2. Samurai Nippon 3. Akagi no Komoriuta 4. Kokkyo no Machi 5. Midori no Chiheisen 6. Ame ni Saku Hana 7. Meiji Ichidai Onna 8. Sumidagawa 9. Otoko no Junjo 10. Tsumagoi Dochu 11. Uramachi Jinsei 12. Ame no Blues 13. Kohan no Yado 14. Shina no Yoru 15. Minami no Hanayome san 16. Kudan no Haha 17. Akatsuki ni Inoru 18. Rabaul Kouta 19. Doki no Sakura

Disc 2 : 1. Dareka Kokyo o Omowazaru 2. Tabi no Yokaze 3. Tabisugata Sannin Otoko 4. Ohtone Tsukiyo 5. Fukeizu no Uta (Yushima no Shiraume) 6. Kantaro Tsukiyo Uta 7. Kaeribune 8. Nakuna Kobatoyo 9. Ikoku no Oka 10. Yunomachi Elegy 11. Akogare no Hawaii Kouro 12. Natsukashi no B lues 13. Shiroi Hana no Saku koro 14. Shanghai gaeri no Lil 15. Ochiba Shigure 16. Kimi no Na wa 17. Aitakatta ze 18. Kawa wa Nagareru 19. Tokyo Raphsody

2 CD, 26 track compilation of Michiya Mihashi, one of Japan's greatest post-war male singers. He started off singing minyo before becoming one of the top enka singers in the 1950s. This CD features his greatest hits, mainly in the old style enka style, but with strong minyo elements. Fantastic. Tracks include Onna Sendo Uta, Ringo Mura Kara, Aishu Resha, Aikai Yuhi no Kokyo and Jogashima no Ame.


Price:   £28.99

Yoko Nagayama is one of Japan's top enka singers. She began her career as J-pop singer although had previously studied minyo and the shamisen. This put her in good stead when she did eventually become an enka singer as she incorporated a minyo style of singing and shamisen in her enka performance. She is today one of the most popular singers in Japan and this 2 CD set has been issued to celebrate 15 years since she became an enka singer. 24 tracks.

Another compilation released to mark Yoko Nagayama's 15 years anniversary since she became an enka singer. 16 of her greatest hits including Suterarete, Higurashi and Jonkara Onna Bushi.


Price:   £23.99

Jero is Japan's first black enka singer, leading him to be dubbed 'kurofune' or 'black ship', a reference to the fleet of warships that Commodore Perry used to open up Japan to the west in 1852. He's actually not a bad singer, if not outstanding, his success based partly on the novelty value. This is his first full album and includes his biggest hit Umiyuki.

1. Umiyuki 2. Kyoko to Takashi 3. Tokyo Hyoryu 4. Harebutai 5. Shiren 6. Nanohana-batake de Tsukamaete 7. Argentina Touhiko 8. Osaka Angel 9. Eisa 10. Ruro no Machi

Jero (Jerome White Jr.) is an African American from Pittsburgh. His grandmother is Japanese, and from her he learned to sing enka songs, and fell in love with them. So much so he moved to Japan in 2003, practiced in karaoke bars and was eventually spotted and offered a record contract. He dresses up in hip-hop fashion, in stark contrast to the genre he's singing, making enka seem suddenly hip. His first single, Umiyuki became a massive hit and this is his first album. On it he covers some of the most popular ever enka songs, with a jazzy accompaniment. Marty Friedman (ex-guitarist with Megadeth, now Japan resident) plays guitar on one track. Original artists of the songs are in brackets in the track list below.

1. Hisame (Akio Kayama) 2. Kimi Koishi (Frank Nagai) 3. Yozora (Hiroshi Itsuki) 4. Mizukagami (Ippei Suzuki) 5. Honmoku Merhen (Takashi Shikauchi) 6. Pusan-koh e Kaere (Cho Yong Pil) 7. Saraba Koibito (Masaaki Sakai)

Price:   £18.99

Back in 1975, Sarbjit Singh Chadha became the first non-Japanese singer of enka, his single Omokage no Hito becoming a massive hit. After releasing four singles and a couple of albums he returned to India where he became a successful businessman. Now however, he is back, perhaps in response to the success of African-American enka singer Jero who is currently experiencing the same kind of success as Chadha, thirty years ago. 16 tracks compiled from his previous albums, 9 original tracks plus 7 covers.

Yukio Hashi is a well known enka singer. He is also known for singing Bon Odori dance songs and a kind of 60s Japanese rock 'n' roll on this album with Swim! Swim! Swim! plus seven other hits.


Price:   £22.99

18 tracks of popular war time hits. Enka Kayokyoku classics from artists including Hachiro Konoe, Masaru Shio, Hiroshi Mifune, Isao Hayashi, Bonnie Jacks, Yoshiko Mari, Ichiro Fujiyama and Dark Ducks.

Japan's second city, Osaka in Western Japan, has featured in many enka songs down the years, and this album compiles 18 of them. Artists include Goro Kagami, Yuko Mikasa, Akari Nishi, Mika Jinno, Yutaka Shimazu, Yuri Harada, Mari Natsuki, Miho Aoki and Etsuko Shimazu.


Price:   £22.99

Enka songs that have been featured in ninkyo eiga, or chivalry films, the first genre of yakuza movies, that were particularly popular during the 60s. In these films, the poor gangster would be torn between obligation and loyalty to the gang and his own personal feeling and situation. Those feelings were transmitted through some great enka tunes such as those featured on this album. Singers include Kazuo Chiba, Rintaro Shoji, Michiya Mihashi, Shin Seigawa, Ichiro Mizuki, Yumiko Inoue, Mika Jinno, Yuko Nagai, Ken Takakura and Jiro Shinkawa.

Mood kayo emerged in the early sixties, songs composed by Tadashi Yoshida. They were slow to medium ballads about romance in the big city. This fantastic CD features the great singers of the genre, also known as 'blues enka'. 20 tracks that include Hiroshi Kadokawa, Toshio Mishima, Yutaka Shimazu, Toshi Ito and Happy and Blue, Hiroshi Wada, Hiroshi Mifune and Hiroshi Sawa.


Price:   £22.99

Kiyoshi Hikawa, the 'Prince of Enka' is now an established star, 2009 marking the 10th year since his first record. Latest in his series of enka masterpieces includes his latest hit single Rokyoku Ichidai.

1. Rokyoku Ichidai 2. Ryusui no Machi 3. Bokyo no Tsuki 4. Sunayama 5. Kageboushi 6. Ororon Minato 7. Yunomachi Elegy 8. Soshu Yakyoku 9. Kokkyo no Machi 10. Tokyo Boogie Woogie 11. Kitagami Yakyoku 12. Otaru no Hito yo

Ninth album in the series of great enka songs sung by Japan's most famous young (he was born in 1977) enka singer, Kiyoshi Hikawa. Six original new songs and six old enka hits from the 1950s and 60s. Celebrates his 10th year anniversary since his first release in 2009. Wonderful vocals as always.

Price:   £23.99

The young new king of 'enka'. The term 'enka' came into use from around the early 1970s. It was a slow type of kayokyoku or Japanese popular tune, but heavily influenced by Japanese elements. Enka is sometimes called 'the Heart of Japan', it's sentimental lyrics concentrate on themes such as the separation of lovers, memories, despair and hope. Singers still usually wear kimono, it's most characteristic vocal style being the warbling crescendo at the end of sentences. Enka is still an extremely popular form of music today, the only national music to rival Japanese pop in the sales charts. It is often sung at karaoke, and although it's listeners are mainly from the older generation, recently some young singers have attracted a younger audience too. The foremost of these is Kiyoshi Hikawa who had a massive hit single and album in 2002 with this album.

The wonderful young pop enka singer has made his most rootsy enka album so far. He really is a great singer and is given the chance to shine here. Includes covers of tunes made famous by the late and great Hibari Misora.

Price:   £23.99

The fourth album in his enka pop series is a double album of 18 tracks, 8 of them are originals and 10 are cover versions. Up to his usual excellent standard.

Young enka star releases a new, impressive album. Quintissential Japanese enka melodies, orchestration, plus ukulele, guitar and large doses of shamisen and shakuhachi. Includes a version of his big hit 'Kiyoshi no Zundoku Bushi', and plenty of heartrending ballads. Hikawa again proves what a great singer he is. Wonderful.


Price:   £23.99

There's a chain of soba (noodle) shops who only play enka over their soundsystem- the quintessential Japanese music inside a quintessential Japanese restaurant. That's the questionable loose theme that holds this album together, but the quality of the music is unquestionable. Not only that but it comes with artist and track names and even liner notes in English. Tracks include Shinichi Mori- Minato Machi Blues, Mina Aoe - Ikebukuro no Yoru, Frank Nagai- Omaeni, Ikuzo Yoshi- Yukiguni, Aki Yashiro- Ame no Bojo. 12 tracks.

Excellent enka compilation, featuring some of the genre's greatest singers and songs by including Shinichi Mori, Sayuri Ishikawa, Hiroshi Itsuki, Aki Yashiro, Takashi Hosokawa, Kazuko Matsumura and Yoko Nagayama. Some of Japan's best loved singers in a quintessentially Japanese style of music. What makes this really special though are the English, giving a real insight into the meaning and background of enka, as well as lyric translations and explanations into the lyrics of each song. 1. Johji Yamamoto, Michinoku Hitoritabi. 2. Sayuri Ishikawa, Amagigoe 3. Shinichi Mori, Erimomisaki 4. Aki Yashiro, Funa Uta 5. Hiroshi Itsuki, Yokohama Tasogare 6. Takashi Hosokawa, Kitasakaba 7. Kazuko Matsumura, Kaettekoiyo 8. Tomosawa Kings, Namida no Misao 9. Kaibara Senri, Mari, Osaka Rhapsody 10. Yoko Nagayama, Suterarete 11. Mina Aoe, Isezakicho Blues 12. Msao Sen, Kitaguni no Haru 13. Yukio Hashi, Itakogasa 14. Frank Nagai, Yurakucho de Aimasho


Price:   £22.99

This is a wonderful compilation of top enka tunes which feature the shamisen. Singers include Tomoko Kanazawa, Yukio Hashi, Yoko Nagayama and Kazuko Matsumura.12 brilliant tracks. Recommended.

1. Jonkara Onna Bushi / YOKO NAGAYAMA 2. Kaette koiyo / KAZUKO MATSUMURA 3. Naniwa Bushi dayo Jinsei wa / TOMOE KIMURA 4. Shimizu no Onnna / YUKI NAGAHO 5. Jongara Nagaredori / AKIKO KANAZAWA 6. Bokyo Shinsouma / SHINOBU KAKYOIN 7. Tsun Tusn Tsugaru / ASAMI HAYASHI 8. Ichiendama no Tabigarasu / SAORI HARUYAMA 9. Shimada no Bum Bum / KAYOKO MITA 10. Tsukiji Akashi-cho / YUKIKO ONO 11. Naniwa no Komoriuta / MASUMI YONEKURA 12. Hokkai Kisen / YUKIO HASHI

Harumi Miyako is one of enka's greatest singers, famed for her growling voice. These are her greatest hits. 1. Anko-tsubaki wa Koi no Hana 2. Namida no Renrakusen 3. Sukini natta hito 4. Onnna no Kaikyo 5. Kita no Yado kara 6. Osaka Shigure 7. Futari no Osaka 8. Naniwa Koi-shigure 9. Meotozaka 10. Sennen no Koto 11. Otaru Unga 12. Yuhi-zaka 13. Tasogare no Hashi 14. Banshu no Eki

Price:   £23.99

Hibari Misora is Japan's greatest ever enka singer, or you could just make that greatest singer ever. Her status is something like Edith Piaf in France, her voice, her songs, seemed to encapsulate the emotional pulse of the nation. She could sing folk style (yuri) koboshi (wavering) was perfect for enka, but she also sung many other styles such as Latin and jazz before she died in 1989 aged 52. 1. Kanashiki Kuchibue 2. Tokyo Kid 3. Echigo-jishi no Uta 4. Watashi wa Machi no Ko 5. Ano Oka Koete 6. Ringo Oiwake 7. Tsugaru no Furusato 8. Edo no Yamitaro 9. Hanagasa Dochu 10. Hibari no Sado Jowa 11. Yawara 12. Kanashii Sake 13. Hitoribocchi 14. Zasso no Uta 15. Sakura no Uta 16. Kawa no Nagare no Yoni 2000

Superb compilation of all the greatest hits from Japan's most loved male enka singer. 16 tracks.


Price:   £23.99

Another of the greatest women enka singers.

Male singer with a fanatical fan base.


Price:   £23.99

Itsuki is another extremely popular male singer.

Currently Japan's most popular female enka singer. The omnipresent Yoshimi has a great voice and a personality to match, that helps to explain that popularity. A collection of standard tunes, the usual mix of emotion and orchestration, melancholy and glitz. Music often described as the heart of the Japanese.


Price:   £24.99