Maria Asahina - Maria
Maria Asahina - Maria
Japan Original Pressing.
A cult 1979 Japanese pop gem where disco, mellow soul and early City Pop collide — with Harvey Mason, YMO, Tatsuro Yamashita, Minako Yoshida, Hiroshi Sato and more behind the scenes.
Maria is the only album left by Maria Asahina, and its credits read like a snapshot of Japanese pop at the end of the ’70s. Harvey Mason drives the funky “Disco Gal,” with Tatsuro Yamashita and Minako Yoshida on vocal arrangements and chorus; Haruomi Hosono writes “Onna Tomodachi,” arranged by YMO, while Ryuichi Sakamoto, Hiroshi Sato and Masataka Matsutoya each shape different corners of the record.
The result moves effortlessly from glossy disco and sophisticated mellow soul to breezy AOR and futuristic electronic pop. “Ketsubetsu” is beautifully understated, “Kin’iro no Nagisa” carries an irresistible Hosono groove, and “Kokoro no Mama ni” captures the album’s perfectly polished late-’70s atmosphere.
Far more than a forgotten idol record — a remarkable one-off album sitting right at the crossroads of disco, soul and the emerging sound of Japanese City Pop.
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About the Condition
About the Condition
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| S (Sealed) | Still sealed in factory wrap. Never played. |
| M (Mint) | Perfect condition. Looks unplayed with no signs of use. Typically used for records that are brand new or opened but never played. |
| EX (Excellent) | Very clean. May have light scuffs or hairline marks, but plays perfectly. |
| VG+ (Very Good Plus) | Minor wear, light surface noise, no major flaws — a solid average used copy. |
| VG (Very Good) | Visible wear and surface noise. Plays through without skipping. |
| G+ (Good Plus) | Heavily used. Significant wear or scratches, but still playable. |
+ / − may be added to indicate slight variations (e.g. VG+, EX−).
We visually inspect every record, and we clean each one before shipping (play-testing when needed). Even new or great-looking vinyl—especially some Japanese pressings—can have light background noise. We grade carefully by eye and ear, but it’s still a human call, so please check the notes before buying.
Shipping & Packing
Shipping & Packing
Tokyo-based. Ships worldwide (DHL/Japan Post).
Professionally packed with care. Fast dispatch.
Strict grading. Actual photos of the item.
