Paradise Beach

Miki Matsubara - Paradise Beach on Clear Purple Vinyl

Paradise Beach collects ten essential recordings from Japanese city pop singer Miki Matsubara, including her internationally celebrated debut single, “Mayonaka no Door / Stay With Me.” Originally released in 1983 as Matsubara’s first best-of album, the compilation is presented here on striking clear purple vinyl.

The collection opens with “Paradise Beach (Sophie’s Theme),” an elegant, summery single created by lyricist Takashi Matsumoto and composer and arranger Haruomi Hosono. The song was originally used in a Japanese television commercial featuring French actress Sophie Marceau before becoming the title track of this compilation.

Paradise Beach draws from the productive opening years of Matsubara’s career, moving between polished city pop, jazz, funk, disco, Latin-influenced arrangements, and sophisticated Japanese pop. In addition to “Stay With Me,” the album includes fan favorites such as “Jazzy Night,” “Ai wa Energy,” “Aitsu no Brown Shoes,” and the Shiseido commercial song “Neat na Gogo 3-ji.”

Another highlight is “Halation,” a breezy, Latin-influenced composition written by Miki Matsubara herself. Together, the album’s ten songs provide an accessible introduction to Matsubara’s work while giving longtime listeners a focused selection of recordings from the beginning of her career.

Issued by Pony Canyon as part of CITY POP on VINYL 2022, this official Japanese pressing is an excellent choice for collectors looking for Miki Matsubara on vinyl beyond Pocket Park.

Vinyl Details

• Artist: Miki Matsubara
• Album: Paradise Beach
• Format: 1LP
• Vinyl Color: Clear purple
• Edition: Japanese color-vinyl reissue
• Original Album Release: 1983
• Vinyl Reissue Release Date: August 6, 2022
• Label: Pony Canyon
• Catalog Number: PCJA-104
• Series: CITY POP on VINYL 2022
• Country: Japan
• Genre: City Pop, Japanese Pop, Jazz-Pop, Funk, Disco

Paradise Beach Tracklist