Towa Tei: Top 5 songs

Towa Tei

テイ・トウワ
DJ & artist
DJ and artist. He made his debut in 1990 on US label, Elektra, as a member of Deee-Lite, and released his first solo album, Future Listening! in 1994. These days he composes music for other singers and writes music for movies and TV commercials. His recent collaborative album, MOTIVATION H compiled by DJ TOWA TEI was a big hit.

Crazy Cats: Goman Bushi
クレイジーキャッツ『5万節』


'The lyrics say that they drank 50,000 bottles of beers. That's huge, by Japanese standards! I am interested in whether this kind of joke-based music would attract foreigners as well, and what they think of this Showa era salaryman look.'

Chisato Moritaka: Kibunsokai
森高千里『気分爽快』


'I wonder whether the lyrics of the hooky part, saying “Let’s drink and have fun,” the costume Chisato wears, and the promotional video clip would be of interest to non-Japanese. I think Chisato is a true Japan original. She is also a new-wave drummer, so good that Ringo Starr might fall out of his chair if he heard her!'

Bakubaku Dokin: Guppy
BAKUBAKU DOKIN『guppy』
'I think Bakubaku Dokin represents the eccentric and "kawaii" Japan of today.'

Ryuichi Sakamoto: Riot in Lagos
坂本龍一『RIOT IN LAGOS』


'It's a standard techno classic on the club scene of Japan and other countries, but I'd recommend this song if you haven't heard it. I think it's the best of the Japanese techno music made during the '80s.'

Yann Tomita: Memories Of Tape Recorder
ヤン富田『Memories Of Tape Recorder』
'I want to say it out loud that there is a musician like Yann Tomita in Japan!'

Time Out note: We were unable to locate a video of 'Memories of Tape Recorder', but an alternative Yann Tomita video can be found here]