Sandii & the Sunsetz

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Cover for Sandii & The Sunsetz album Viva Lava Liva.

Sandii & the Sunsetz were a Japanese technopop or J-pop band that collaborated from 1979 until the 1990s. The Sunsetz, led by Makoto Kubota, and Sandii started as separate artists, and each have a separate discography. However, their collaboration provided a particular body of work that is representative of the period, and which successfully blended Eastern, Western and pop influences.

1 Early days
2 The Sunsetz
3 Latter days
4 Discography
5 See also
6 External Links
7 References

[edit] Early days

Sandii (born Sandra O'Neale) was born in Japan of mixed Japanese, Spanish and American blood. Her father was in the U.S. Navy, and she spent her early life in Japan, but moved to Hawaii in her early teens and began to study hula and Pacific dance. After becoming accomplished as a singer and dancer, Sandii released her first record "Perusha Neko" under the name Sandi Ai. Returning to Japan in 1975 she was befriended by Kyu Sakamoto, who helped her to get a job as a DJ on NHK TV in Japan. Sandii performed during the interval of the "World Popular Song Festival" in late 1975, and secured a record deal with Toho. Sandii's debut album was titled "Sandi Ai" and mixes Japanese originals with covers of well known songs by John Lennon and Olivia Newton-John. The album was not a great success and Sandii left Toho for Discomate Records.

In 1976 Sandii had performed at the Yamaha World Popular Song Festival as a non-competitor interval act, but the next year she won the prestigious “Grand Prix Best Vocal Performance” award with the single Goodbye Morning, her best selling record to date.

Sandii met Makoto Kubota in 1976 when he was a guest on her NHK TV show and afterward joined his band Yuyaka Gakudan (Sunset Gang) as a backup singer. Makoto was an accomplished musician with broad influences, and the collaboration went on to be critically acclaimed, though never quite achieving the popular success expected. The music of The Sunset Gang was very influenced by Blues, Southern and West Coast rock, but later they became increasingly interested in Hawaiian and Okinawan music. At this time Sandii also became friends with the future members of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, frequent collaborators with the Sunset Gang; Haruomi Hosono naming her "Sandii" because of the connection with Hawaii. However, until 1980 Sandii used a variety of names for different session work e.g. "Sandra Hohn", "Sandi A Hohn", even "Sandy Ayako". This makes her 1970's material a challenge for collectors to find!

On the soundtrack of Lupin The Third Sandii performed the songs "I Miss You Babe" and "Love Squall"; the latter was a single release paired with the theme of the TV series by Yuji Ohno

In 1978 Sandii sang the end title theme for the Japanese release of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile, which became a top 20 hit in Japan. This gave Sandii and Makoto the opportunity to record a follow up album. With limited time and budget, the album "Mystery Nile" consists of disco and pop cover versions including "Dancing Queen" by ABBA. Sandii and Makoto used fake English names on the record - "Sandy O'Neil" and "Theo Layer".

Other guest appearances include the albums "Dead End" and "Monkey Magic" by Godiego plus "Melting Pot" by Yamamoto Sho, whose backing band became Ippu-Do (including future Japan member Masami Tsuchiya.

In 1979, again using the name "Sandy O'Neil", Sandii released the disco track "Hey! King Kong", which failed to become a hit. The same year saw Sandii's first guest appearance with the Yellow Magic Orchestra on their album Solid State Survivor. Right at the end of '79 the Y.M.O. and Sandii began to record her debut for Alfa Records, "Eating Pleasure", at which point Makoto wound up the Sunset Gang and Sandii & The Sunsetz were born. The two groups had the same members, but Sandii became lead vocalist. Sandii and Makoto are on record as saying they were influenced by the sound and success of Blondie and later became friends with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein.^[1]

[edit] The Sunsetz

Their first show as Sandii & The Sunsetz was opening for Yellow Magic Orchestra at Budokan in December 1980. In 1981 their next album Heat Scale was released in 17 countries - most international releases adding tunes from "Eating Pleasure". From the release of "Heat Scale" until the next album release "Immigrants" The Sunsetz spent a lot of time in the UK, recording with David Sylvian and Fun Boy Three producer Dave Jordan. Sounds, NME and Melody Maker gave The Sunsetz extensive coverage which gave the group a lot of credibility in Japan, leading to increased record sales. Their live act gained many fans in the international music industry following their support slot on the final Japan world tour. The Sunsetz went on to tour and play festivals with Eurythmics, Inxs, Blondie and David Bowie. Their extensive touring and TV appearances in Australia in 1983 allowed them to achieve the #11 charting hit single "Sticky Music"^[2]. Sadly, the group had problems with international distribution and promotion and were unable to replicate that success worldwide, but had a keen cult following.

Steve Cropper saw Sunsetz guitarist Keni Inoue play in his distinctive plucking style (as heard on "Open Sesame") and asked to be taught the technique.

In 1985 Sandii & The Sunsetz left Alfa Records for Toshiba-EMI, whose greater financial muscle gave the group a better budget to work with. Following a collaboration with Stephen Duffy ("Something Special") the group released the rock influenced "La La La La Love", released as "Banzai Baby" outside Japan. Although a strong album musically the group were disappointed that it was not promoted internationally, despite following the guidance of the record company, and opted to follow their own creative vision for subsequent releases. This led them to reggae, dancehall and other Jamaican styles which heavily influenced the final Sunsetz albums "Rhythm Chemistry" and "One Love".

[edit] Latter days

In 1990 the group had another re-invention, just using the name Sandii, although they would carry on using "& The Sunsetz" for live appearances well into the 90's. Sandii and Makoto decided to concentrate on the Asian market and subsequent releases sold in greater numbers, helped by Sandii recording key songs in up to four languages. In 1996 Sandii recorded the first of her "Hawaii" albums and became increasingly involved in Hula culture. It has been speculated that her decision to train as a Hula teacher and move away from the pop and rock industry may have contributed to her split with Makoto Kubota, which occurred around 1999. Sandii now runs two Hula schools, in Harajuku, Tokyo and Yokohama and has a TV series on NHK, contributing to the popularity of Hula dance in Japan and allowing Sandii to release roughly two albums a year of Hawaiian and other Pacific style music. In late 2005 Sandii achieved the rank of Kumu Hula and celebrated with an event at a shrine in Ise, with old friend Haruomi Hosono providing the music.

Makoto Kubota is still a major music producer in Japan, always exploring new directions in world music. ^[1]

[edit] Discography

Single "Perusha Neko" as Sandi Ai, Pineapple Records Hawaii, USA 1975
"Sandi Ai" as Sandi Ai, Toho Records 1975 (included the singles "Ai No Melody" and "Kuzitsuke no yurushite")
Single "Goodbye Morning" as Sandy, Discomate Records 1976
The Sunset Gang Dixie Fever 1977 - also several other albums by Sunset Gang during the 1970's with Makoto on lead vocals.
"Mystery Nile" as Sandy O'Neil, Toshiba-EMI 1978
Single "Love Squall" as Sandra Hohn, Vap Records 1978
Single "Hey! King Kong" as Sandy O'Neil, Toshiba-EMI 1979
Eating Pleasure Alfa Records 1980
Heat Scale Alfa Records 1981
Immigrants Alfa Records 1982
Single "Sticky Music" Alfa Records/WEA 1983 (Lyrics: Chris Mosdell)
Viva Lava Liva: "1980-1983" Alfa Records 1984 - a different version came out in Australia
Single Something Special Ten Records/Virgin 1985
Single Babes In The Wood Eastworld/Toshiba EMI 1985
La La La La Love~Banzai Baby Eastworld/Toshiba EMI 1986
Rhythm Chemistry Toshiba EMI 1987
One Love Toshiba EMI 1988
"East Meets West" A&M, US/Canada, 1989 (compilation of material from 1980 to 1988)
Orientation (Best Of 1985 - 1988) Toshiba EMI 1990
The Bomb the Bass Remix Alfa Records 1991
"Twins - Super Best of Sandii and Sunsetz Alfa Records 1996