TULIP - TAKE OFF Ririku (2007) Hi-Res

TULIP (チューリップ) was a Japanese folk and pop-rock group active between 1972 and 1989. They are considered to be one of the pioneering acts of the New Music scene. Formed in 1970 in Fukuoka City, the band signed to Toshiba Music Company (presently EMI Music Japan) in 1972 and debuted with the single Mahou no Kiiroi Kutsu. Throughout their career, they have released 22 original studio albums, 40 singles, and numerous best of compilations and live albums. The band reformed four times between 1997 and 2007, with the fourth reunion being their final. In 2007, they released their last studio album, run, following it up with the farewell tour, held between June 2007 and February 2008, after which they officially dissolved. They are ranked at number 35 on HMV Japan's list of top 100 Japanese pop artists.

This masterpiece is the fruit of their strong energy as they push forward to make the music they envision. TULIP, known as the "flag bearers of new music" and popular like idols, were originally young people who started out in music because of their admiration for the Beatles, and their goal was to sublimate that influence into a new pop sound in Japanese. In this third album, they faced the basics and devoted themselves to creating a sound that was truly oriented towards the Beatles. In addition to the polished performance skills and arranging sense of each member, the roles of the members have also diversified. For example, Kazuo Zaitsu (Vo/G/Key) sings a song written by Tatsuya Himeno (Vo/G/Key), and Kazuo Zaitsu sings "Heart Setsunaku," written and composed by Toshiyuki Abe (G). Furthermore, Masatoshi Ueda (Dr) and Akira Yoshida (B) also joined the songwriting team, strengthening the band's unity. The album is free-spirited, with a short song at the beginning and the three songs after "Sadness is Always" being a medley style reminiscent of The Beatles' "Abbey Road". The acclaimed masterpiece "Shadow of Youth" was released as a re-cut single with a different arrangement two months after the release of this album in April 1974, and became a hit. This album, with its highly appealing pop songs, has become a work that continues to be deeply loved by music fans.