Original Love sounds like the intersection of a smoky jazz club and a high-budget 90s pop studio. It is music that wears a well-tailored suit but isn't afraid to loosen the tie. The sound is defined by Takao Tajima's incredible baritone, which carries a weight and soulfulness rarely heard in mainstream J-pop, backed by arrangements that pull from the best of 70s soul, acid jazz, and bossa nova.
What makes the project distinctive is its transition from a full band to Tajima's solo vehicle without losing its collaborative, expansive spirit. While his contemporaries in the Shibuya-kei scene often leaned into kitsch or irony, Original Love remained anchored in genuine musicianship and a deep reverence for the groove. The production is consistently lush, featuring live horns, crisp percussion, and warm basslines that feel timeless rather than dated.
Start with the album 'EYES' to hear the peak of their sophisticated 90s sound, or look for the single 'Seppun' (Kiss) to experience one of the most iconic romantic grooves in Japanese music history. It is the perfect entry point for anyone who loves the slickness of City Pop but wants more emotional grit and vocal power.
Original Love (オリジナル・ラブ) is a Japanese music band and project by Takao Tajima. The band was formed in 1986 with four members, but since 1995 they have been a solo project for Takao Tajima. They were nominated in the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards for the International Viewer's Choice Award for MTV Japan category. They released a song titled "Happy Birthday Song" (ハッピーバースデイソング) on April 24, 2018. They released their 18th album on February 12, 2019. Their song "Seppun" (接吻) was covered by Mika Nakashima in 2003.
Shares studio polished, orchestral arrangement, hi fi (production style); soulful, romantic, confident (moods)
Shares soulful, romantic, bittersweet (moods); studio polished, orchestral arrangement, analog warmth (production style)
Shares funk, jazz fusion, chamber pop (subgenres); golden hour, urban night, coffee shop (atmosphere)
Shares soulful, romantic, bittersweet (moods); studio polished, hi fi, analog warmth (production style)
Shares soulful, romantic, bittersweet (moods); studio polished, orchestral arrangement, hi fi (production style)
Shares studio polished, orchestral arrangement, hi fi (production style); soul, chamber pop (subgenres)
Shares studio polished, orchestral arrangement, hi fi (production style); soulful, bittersweet, confident (moods)
Shares studio polished, orchestral arrangement, hi fi (production style); soul, jazz fusion (subgenres)
Shares studio polished, orchestral arrangement, hi fi (production style); crooning, baritone (vocal style)
Shares studio polished, orchestral arrangement, hi fi (production style); urban night, golden hour, rooftop (atmosphere)
Shares soul, jazz fusion, funk, saxophone (signature)
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