T-Wave (album)

T-Wave
Studio album by Masayoshi Takanaka
Released	June 1, 1980
Recorded	1980
Studio	Kitty Izu Studio, Izu Polydor Studio, Tokyo KRS Studio
Genre	Jazz fusion funk pop
Length	37:37
Label	Kitty
Producer	Masayoshi Takanaka
Masayoshi Takanaka chronology
Jolly Jive (1979) T-Wave (1980) Finger Dancin' (1980)

T-Wave is the seventh studio album by Japanese musician, producer, and composer Masayoshi Takanaka, released by Kitty Records on June 1, 1980. Initially issued on blue vinyl and cassette, the album blends jazz fusion with elements of city pop, funk, Latin, and soul, highlighting Takanaka's signature melodic guitar work and vibrant arrangements. From the bright, upbeat opener “Early Bird” to the breezy funk of “My Secret Beach,” famously used in a Mazda Familia commercial, this release bursts with breezy, funky energy.

Background

Following the commercial success of Jolly Jive, T-Wave was recorded at Kitty Izu Studio, Polydor Studio, and KRS Studio. The album leans in a more upbeat direction than its predecessor, opening with the sound of an alarm clock on “Early Bird” and moving through a set of lively, energetic tracks. It also includes slower pieces such as “Crystal Memories,” which highlight Takanaka’s gentler, more melodic side. T-Wave is often seen as the start of his early-1980s run, an era many fans consider the height of his work. The album’s bright guitar tone and clean production made it accessible to both jazz-fusion listeners and fans of the emerging city pop style.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Masayoshi Takanaka.

T-Wave track listing

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"EARLY BIRD"		4:53
2.	"WILD MOW - MOW"		3:38
3.	"MAMBO NO. 6"		4:11
4.	"CRYSTAL MEMORIES"		6:02
5.	"MY SECRET BEACH"		3:57
6.	"空ド白ソ"		5:25
7.	"PALM STREET"	Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi	4:00
8.	"Le Premier Mars"		5:30
Total length:			37:37

Personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from liner notes ^[1]

*Masayoshi Takanaka — producer, music, arrangements, guitar Yuki Sugawara — percussion Susumu Ohno — engineer Teruaki Igarashi — engineer Tadao Tomita — cutting engineer Hidenori Taga — executive producer Mimi — music Satoshi Nakamura — horn arrangements, horn, tenor saxophone Shigeru Inoue — drums, percussion Yukari Uehara — drums Masahiro Miyazaki — drums Akihiro Tanaka — bass Getao Takahashi — bass Kiyosumi Ishikawa — keyboard, Hammond Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi — keyboard Emiko Arai — chorus Kazumi Takeda — horn Toshio Araki — horn Shigeharu Mukai — horn Genji Sawai — horn Shunzo Sunahara — horn (A1, A3) Kato Group — strings Choux Suzuki — lyrics

*Arranged by — Masayoshi Takanaka Arranged by [Horn] — Satoshi Nakamura (tracks: A1, A3) Composed by — Masayoshi Takanaka, Mimi (tracks: B3) Design — Koichi Chigi Directed by — Choux Suzuki Engineer — Susumu Ohno, Teruaki Igarashi Assistant Engineer — I. Marumo, M. Taira, S. Yamazaki Executive Producer — Hidenori Taga Lacquer Cut by — Tadao Tomita Lyrics by — Choux Suzuki (tracks: B1) Management — Choux Suzuki Photography by — Nov Kondow Producer — Masayoshi Takanaka

Release history

Release history for Jolly Jive

Region	Date	Formats	Label	Ref.
Japan	June 1, 1980	Vinyl cassette	Kitty Records
	1987	CD
	July 25, 1990	CD (reissue)	Universal Music Japan

References

1. Masayoshi Takanaka - T-Wave, 1980, retrieved November 18, 2025

External links

• T-Wave at Discogs (list of releases)