Wow, never thought I'd ever see this record reissued. Huge props to NYC's Palto Flats imprint for bringing Mariah's 1983 masterpiece out of obscurity and back on wax. Utakata No Hibi is a cult classic among the digger elite and also the final release on the legendary Better Days label (who also released Ryuichi Sakamoto's 1st solo LP). The music itself is absolutely stunning, sitting at the crossroads of experimental synth music, traditional Japanese folk, new wave, and pop. Anyone who appreciates the deeper side of 80's Japanese synth music or the work of YMO, Haruomi Hosono, etc. owe it to themselves to check this out. Original copies are next to impossible to find stateside making this official reissue all the more crucial. Pressed in its original double LP format at 45 RPM with full artwork reproduction featuring original art by Ira Okudaira and English translations of the Japanese and Armenian lyrics on the printed inner sleeves.

• black double vinyl pressing
• 1st official reissue
• remastered sound
• plays at 45 RPM
• original release year: 1983
• music label: Palto Flats 2015

reviewed by Konbini 10/2015