Before They Were Y.M.O. - Part 1

With all the talk about Yellow Magic Orchestra in the previous post, we decided to create a series of postings devoted to exploring the musical output of the members of Y.M.O. before they formed one of the most influential groups in Japanese pop history. First up in our three-part series is drummer Yukihiro Takahashi's group Sadistic Mika Band.

Unlike many Japanese groups, Sadistic Mika Band acheived notable popularity overseas, particularly in the United Kingdom. Three of their first albums, including the group's eponymous 1973 debut, were additionally released in the U.K., and in 1975 Sadistic Mika Band supported Roxy Music during their tour of England.

The band was fronted by singer/songwriter/producer Kazuhiko Katō, whose former group The Folk Crusaders, and subsequent solo work helped popularize folk music in Japan during the 1960s and 70s. Katō was responsible for a majority of the songwriting duties for the Sadistics, while the role of lead vocalist was mainly held by his wife at the time, media personality Mika.

Yukihiro Takahashi was a studio drummer when he joined the band in 1972 for their first album and has remained a member to this day through each of the group's many reunions. One such reunion occurred in the summer of 1985, as the Sadistics briefly gained the monumental talent of Ryūichi Sakamoto and Yumi Matsutōya, reforming temporarily as Sadistic Yuming Band for the legendary music festival All Together Now. The current incarnation of the band, however, aptly titled Sadistic Mikaela Band, features pop star Kaela Kimura on lead vocals.

"Time Machine Ni Onegai" is taken from the 1974 album Kurofune, released in Japan, as well as the U.K. and the U.S.. The sound of the track embodies the group's arena rock leanings and serves as a high point for the brash and sexy attitude of which the band would later seem to forget.

Download:
Sadistic Mika Band - Time Machine Ni Onegai (1974)
サディスティック・ミカ・バンド - タイムマシンにおねがい