# Hi-Fi Set

Hi-Fi Set was a Japanese recording group formed in 1974, and later disbanded in 1994. The group's line-up consisted of Junko Yamamoto, Toshihiko Yamamoto and Shigeru Okawa.

## History
### Early Years: Debut

In September 1974, the folk group known Red Bird was disbanded due to creative differences. Later, former members of the group Junko Yamamoto (vocal guitar), Toshihiko Yamamoto (guitar), and Shigeru Okawa (bass) decided to form their own group: Hi-Fi Set.

#### Breakthrough

Recording a new set of tracks, the group returned in 1975 with a Yumi Arai written song "Graduation Photo" which was released simultaneously with the group debut album of the same name – same year. Throughout the year, the group re-recorded a series of Arai's song's who wrote for their album, songs such as "Cold Rain" and "Smile in the Morning Sun" which was later covered by Arai herself, these songs helped the group gain some momentum.
In 1977, Brazilian singer-songwriter Morris Albert's "Feelings" was covered by the group and it became an instant hit, the same year the group also made an appearance at the New Year annual TV special NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Since then, with outstanding vocal work by Junko Yamamoto's soprano, Toshihiko Yamamoto's tenor, and Shigeru Okawa's bass voice, and an urban and sophisticated arrangement sound, the group became a very popular folk group during the heyday of new music in Japan.
During the early years in their careers, the quartet performed as opening acts for established artists of the time as the likes of Miwako Hiromatsu. The group also gained fame with hits such "My Beautiful Music" and "Sky Restaurant" which was sampled by American recording rapper J. Cole, these hit songs helped spur the group career and helped introduce them to a wider audience. In 1980, the group went into a hiatus but resumed a year later with their music, breaking a record by being the first act in Japanese music history to sing 4-beat jazz with Japanese composition.
In 1984, "I want to be honest" was released and the song became the group's most commercially successful song. With 26 single songs and 19 albums released throughout their years active as a group, In 1994 the group officially announced their disbandment and was disbanded.

#### Disbandment: Aftermath

Throughout the years, Junko Yamamoto was active as a singer/songwriter.
After disbanding, Toshihiko Yamamoto continued his career as a music producer until his death in March 27, 2014.
In 1995, Shigeru Okawa was arrested for an attempted theft at a supermarket in Aoba-ku, Yokohama. However, he was not charged. Ever since the group's disbandment, he has not returned to music.

## Members

* Junko Yamamoto (December 30, 1949) (71 years old) was born in Tenkawa-mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara Prefecture.
* Toshihiko Yamamoto (February 23, 1947 – March 27, 2014) (67 years old) Yamamoto was born in Osaka City.
* Shigeru Okawa (b. September 6, 1945) (76 years old) was born in Mie Prefecture.

## Discography
### Albums

| Sheets | Release date | Title | Tracks |
| EMI Music Japan Toshiba EMI/ EXPRESS ||||
| 1st | 1975 February 5 | Graduation Photo | OVERTURE AGES OF ROCK AND ROLL Graduation Photo Warmth of the chest Between today and tomorrow Big town Museum #Tenmaru wooden horse Fish and Chips Afternoon watching the sea Ai no Hana Blooming Road |
| 2nd | 1976 June 5 | Fashionable Lover | Star Stranger Chaoyang Smile inside Juman Nui Farewell Party Cold Rain Fashionable Lover Desolate Midnight Remnants Moonlight Grand Canyon |
| 3rd | 1977 February 5 | Love Collection | On Any Sunday Rain Station Sleepy Morning Dazzling You Night Scratch Crystal Night Love Fee Ring Hi-Fi Set Version "Feeling" Country Boy Dreaming Jamaica Central Freeway |
| 4th | 1977 September 5 | THE DIARY | Love Diary Wind City Memo Random At the seaside summer resort Love is everything Marshmallow at the fireplace Someday to the star Personal message Little Baroque |
| 5th | 1978 June 5 | Swing | Swing Slightly detour Firebird Hang glider in the evening sky To the airport Dawn Lady Gray Dance Dance Dance Oh Lucky Lady Let me go |
| 6th | 1978 November 20 | Coming Up | Knockdown Shooting Star Midnight Angel Alone Christmas HAVANA CANDY Burbon Trip Monday Prologue Monochrome Night Sky South (WE ARE FLYING) Winter Sea |
| 7th | 1979 July 5 | Flash (Flash) | Two people along the line Last spring vacation School band girl 22 Hour 15 Rain Waltz and Rubbing You Slow Dance Kimagure Trump Night Long Distance Bus Spring Begins Singing |
| 8th | 1979 December 20 | QUARTER REST | Dinner on Broadway Fluffy Melody Flying Down in the Green Town TWO IN THE PARTY Waiting for the Snowfall DESTINY Smiley Smile When May Comes CONCERT LANE PARTY IS OVER PS |
| 9th | 1981 June 21 | 3 NOTES | Dangerous Friendship Life is Jam Session LAST BALLAD, LAST COIN Boots And Sake and Wedding Dress I Love You Again Bop's clubhouse Conceit Smile Flame-colored August Trio Koi SOUNDS starlight lullaby |
| 10th | 1982 April 1 | 1 & 2 | BIG BRASS Hello MR.TELEPHONE Distant call from the past Wow! Midnight Bye Bye-Show Long Good-bye |
| 11th | 1983 February 21 | I miss you | Downtown LOVE Renaissance Kokoro Hanareru Blue Dream Lose but win Season Off No Santaclaus Santa Claus Big Apple Sentimental Morning Catherine Indian Summer no Futari miss you |
| CBS Sony ||||
| 12th | 1984 February 25 | PASADENA PARK | Light blue wagon I want to be honest I can't see it in the rain July Christmas 1999 Catherine on air Magic Mountain Lady Viva! Off・ Loader Midnight TV Good-bye school days |
| 13th | 1985 February 25 | INDIGO | Rainbow signal Love madness Boy friend Champagne and Earth Movement Theory #Milky way Star Makeup Halley Bloomin'blue Love Double fault Demian Rainy Sentosa Star / Guidance / Night |
| 14th | 1986 April 10 | SWEET LOCOMOTION | Rosy White Sweet Locomotion Do You Remember Me? Graph |
| 15th | 1987 April 1 | Gibraltar | Ceramic Smile Time Table End of Affair Can Someone Dance? Summer Finale Secret Trip Via Arctic Paris Vision White Night Terminal Station |
| CBS / SONY RECORDS ||||
| 16th | 1988 March 21 | Eyebrow | Platonic Shimasho Shadow Love Egg Benedict Slow Number Too hot day NARITA Sabrina Cold Summer Pink Sand Dune Ferris |
| 17th | 1990 March 21 | White Moon | Moon Highway Angels Fly Eternal Sunny Days Shall We Dance Again? Lover only tonight Morning Flight Blue Lagoon Shoot the Moon Gloria Gift for Tomorrow |
| Sony Records ||||
| 18th | 1991 April 25 | Get A Move On | I will never forget Her lover GENESIS LOVE Love roulette Sincerely Shooting star island ABC again Long dream Promised Land Tear of mother, smile of father |
| 19th | 1992 April 22 | Tender Loving Care | Map All for You Decision Little May Sick Whereabouts |

#### Singles

| Sheets | Release date | Title | C / w |
| Toshiba EMI/ EXPRESS Alfa Records ||||
| 1st | 1975 February 5 | Graduation Photo Lyrics: Yumi Arai Composition: Yumi Arai Arrangement: Katsuhisa Hattori | Museum Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Hiroshi Okazaki, Katsuhisa Hattori |
| 2nd | 1975 May 5 | Age's of Rock and Roll Lyrics: Kazue Ohashi Composition: Kunihiko Murai Arrangement:Matsutoya Masataka | Warmth of the chest Lyrics:Michio Yamagami Composition: Kunihiko Murai Arrangement: Katsuhisa Hattori |
| 3rd | 1975 July 5 | I dream about it. Lyrics: Jack Fishman Japanese lyrics:Michio Yamagami Composition:Kunihiko Murai Arrangement:Anita Kerr | Turmental) Composition:Kunihiko Murai Arrangement:Anita Car |
| 4th | 1975 November 5 | Sky Restaurant Lyrics:Yumi Arai Composition:Kunihiko Murai Arrangement:Yumi Matsutoya | Come to Haneda on Saturday night Lyrics:Yumi Arai Composition: Kunihiko Murai Arrangement:Yumi Matsutoya |
| 5th | 1976 April 20 | Cold Rain Lyrics: Yumi Arai Composition: Yumi Arai Arrangement: Masataka Matsutoya | Fashionable Lover Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Masataka Matsutoya |
| 6th | 1976 March 6, 20 | To be happy Lyrics: Yumi Arai Composition: Kunihiko Murai Arrangement: Yumi Matsutoya | Starry Midnight Lyrics: Yumi Arai Composition : Kunihiko Murai Arrangement: Masataka Matsutoya |
| 7th | 1976 December 1 | Feelings :Rei Nakanishi Composer: Maurice Albert Arrangement: Shinichi Tanabe | Another Dance Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composer: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Keitaro Miho |
| 8th | 1977 April 20 | Wind Town : Shigeru Okawa ・ Takashi Matsumoto Composer: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Ichizo Seo | Crystal Night Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composer: Yamamoto Toshihiko Arrangement: Ichizo Seo |
| 9th | 1977 July 5 | Memorandum Lyrics: Rei Nakanishi Composer: Yoichi Takizawa Arrangement: Bob aleiver | Personal Message Lyrics: Yu Aku Composition: Ken Sato Arrangement : Bob aleiver |
| 10th | 1977 October 20 | Love Diary Arrangement: Howard Greenfield < br/> Japanese lyrics: Tokiko Iwatani Composer: Neil Sedaka Arrangement: Bob aleiver | Love is everything Lyrics: Rei Nakanishi Composer: Carole King Arrangement: Bob aleiver |
| 11th | 1978 April 20 | Just a little around the road Lyrics: Machiko Ryu ・ Rei Nakanishi Composer: Tadao Inoue Arrangement: Kentaro Haneda | Lady Gray Lyrics: Machiko Ryu Composer: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Kentaro Haneda |
| Toshiba EMI/ EXPRESS ||||
| 12th | 1978 August 20 | Amerika Monogatari Lyrics: Toyohisa Araki Composer: Yuji Ohno Arrangement: Yuji Ohno | Summer Separation Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Shun Yamamoto Hiko Arrangement:Hiroshi Shinkawa |
| 13th | 1978 November 5 | Tropical Night Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Hiroshi Shinkawa Arrangement by Strings: Shinichi Tanabe | Moeru Aki Lyrics: Hiroyuki Itsuki Composition: Toru Takemitsu Arrangement: Shinichi Tanabe |
| 14th | 1979 May 20 | Two people along the line Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Shinkawa Hiroshi Chorus Arrangement: Toshihiko Yamamoto | Monday's Prologue Lyrics: Machiko Ryu Composition: Ken Sato Arrangement: Shinichi Tanabe Chorus Arrangement: Junko Yamamoto |
| 15th | 1981 October 21 | NOVEMBER RAIN Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Mitsuhiko Sato | BYE-BYE BOY Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Mitsuhiko Sato |
| 16th | 1982 March 3, 21 | Hello MR.TELEPHONE Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Mitsuhiko Sato | AIR MAIL from home Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Mitsuhiko Sato |
| 17th | 1982 October 21 | miss you Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Mitsuhiko Sato | Downtown Love Renaissance Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement : Mitsuhiko Sato |
| 18th | 1983 February 1 | When i'm away from my heart Lyrics:Yoshitaka Minami< Arrangement: Mitsuhiko Sato | LAST BALLAD, LAST COIN When i'm away from my heart Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Mitsuhiko Sato |
| 19th | 1983 Year April 5 | Love story is about to come Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Yoshitaka Minami Arrangement: Ichizo Seo | Blue Dream Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Mitsuhiko Sato |
| CBS Sony ||||
| 20th | 1984 January 21 | I want to be honest DON'T YOU TELL HIM? Lyrics: Masamichi Sugi Composition: Masamichi Sugi Arrangement: Akira Inoue | Goodbye school days Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Akira Okamoto Arrangement: Akira Inoue |
| 21st | 1984 May 21 | Light Blue Wagon Lyrics: Shun Taguchi Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Hiroshi Shinkawa Chorus Arrangement: Toshihiko Yamamoto | Christmas in July Lyrics: Shun Taguchi Composition: Ginji Ito Arrangement: Ryoichi Kuniyoshi Chorus Arrangement: Toshihiko Yamamoto |
| 22nd | 1984 November 1 | Star Makeup HalleyLyrics: Shun Taguchi Composition: Masamichi Sugi Arrangement: Akira Inoue Chorus Arrangement: Toshihiko Yamamoto / Mari Sugi | Demian Lyrics: Shun Taguchi Composition: Yamamoto Toshihiko Arrangement: Akira Inoue Chorus Arrangement: Toshihiko Yamamoto |
| 23rd | 1985 February 5 | Rainbow signal Lyrics: Aundai Composition: Ginji Ito Arrangement: Akira Inoue | Boy friend Lyrics: Ryo Koizumi Composition: Masamichi Sugi Arrangement: Akira Inoue |
| 24th | 1985 February 5 ] | Hitokire no Koi Lyrics: Ryo Koizumi Composition: Masamichi Sugi Arrangement: Akira Inoue | Koi no Double fault Lyrics: Dai Aun Composer: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Akira Inoue |
| CBS / SONY RECORDS ||||
| 25th | 1988 May 21 | Platonic Shimasho Lyrics: Shun Taguchi Composition: Masamichi Sugi Arrangement: Hiroshi Shinkawa | For the time being NARITA ANYWAY TO NARITA Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composer: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: HEXAGON |
| 26th | 1989 December 1 | Lover only tonight Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composer: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Osamu Koike | Moon Highway Lyrics: Shun Taguchi Composer: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Hiroshi Shinkawa |
| 27th | 1990 March 1 | Angels Fly ~ Angel's Season ~ Lyrics: Megumi Sato Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Hiroshi Shinkawa | Morning Flight Lyrics: Megumi Sato Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Norimasa Yamazaki |
| Sony Records ||||
| 28th | 1991 April 25 | I will never forget Lyrics: Kazumasa Oda Composition: Kazumasa Oda Arrangement: Kazumasa Oda | ABC again Lyrics: Shigeru Okawa Composition: Toshihiko Yamamoto Arrangement: Hiroshi Shinkawa |

#### Live album

| Sheet | Release date | Title | Recorded songs |
| ーニー-ミュージックレコーズ/CBS/SONY RECORDS ||||
| 1st | 1989 3/21 | COLLECTION | Disc-1 Light blue wagon SWEET LOCOMOTION Graduation photos Sky Restaurant Come to Haneda on Saturday night Lady Grey NOVEMBER RAIN TWO IN THE PARTY 恋 恋の日記日記 (The Diary) OH! LUCKY LADY Fairwell party Good-bye School Days Disc-2 Feeling More than two people Museum Downtown Love Renaissance Bop's Clubhouse DUKE ELINGTON MEDLEY Fish and chips Fashion rubber I want to be honest DAY LIGHT Boy Friend |

### Videography

| Sheet | Release date | Title |
| Sony Music Records/CBS・Sony |||
| 1st | 1985 | "'Rainbow Signal'" |

### Other songs/ Projects

| Songs | Tie-up | Recorded works | Time of year |
| To be happy | Nippon TV series drama "Tanpopo (TV drama)#3 Series/Tanpopo" Theme song | Single "To be happy" | 1976 |
| Smiling in the Chaoyang | Theme song for the movie "Frozen River" | Album "Fashionable Lover" | 1976 |
| City of the Wind | Yamaha"Yamaha-Passol/Passol" CM image song | Single "City of the Wind" | 1977 |
| Firebird | Movie"/火の鳥"Theme song | Album "Coming Up" | 1978 |
| Amerika Monogatari | Japan Airlines"COME TO UNITED States/AMERICA '78" CM image song | Single "Amerika Monogatari" | 1978 |
| Burning autumn | Mitsukoshi・ -Toho collaboration work "Burning autumn" theme song | Single "Tropical Night" | 1978 |
| Night Sky to the SOUTH (WE ARE FLYING) | Morinaga Seika "High Crown" CM image song | Album "Swing" | 1978 |
| I Love You Again | Isetan CM song | Album "3 NOTES" | 1981 |
| Two of Indian Summer | Isetan Campaign Song | Album "I miss you" | 1983 |
| Love story from now on | Shiseido "Benefit" CM image song | Single "Love story is coming" | 1983 |
| Blue Dream | Employment Information Center CM Image Song | | 1983 |
| I want to be honest | Citizen watch / Citizen "19-year-old Riviere" CF image song | Single "I want to be honest" | 1984 |
| Star Makeup Halley | Kanebo cosmetics Image song | Single "Star Makeup Halley" | 1984 |
| Let's Platonic | en:BVD/BVD CM image song | Single "Let's Platonic" | 1988 |
| Tonight Only Lover | Xebio Holdings/Victoria '90 WINTER Image song | Single "Tonight only lover" | 1989 |
| Moon Highway | HUMAX/HUMAX GROUP Radio CM song | Single "Tonight only lover" | 1989 |
| Angels Fly -Season of Angels〜 | Hitachi Hitachi room air conditioner "White Kumakun" Image song | Single "Angels Fly 〜 Season of Angels" | 1990 |
| Eternal Sunny Days | Yamada Homes / Kobori Sumiten CM image song | Album "White Moon" | 1990 |
| A gift for tomorrow | Yomiuri TV Broadcast/Yomiuri TV-NTV Broadcasting Network/NTVsystem Morning drama series"Flower pearl" Theme song | Album "White Moon" | 1990 |
| I will not forget | TV Asahisystem "Tuesday Mystery Theater" Theme song | Single "I won't Forget" | 1991 |
| GENESIS LOVE | Shoko Chukin Bank/Shoko Chukin CM image song | Album "Get A Move On" | 1991 |

### Unreleased songs

* "Joy" – Toyota Motor Corporation- Toyota Carina/Carina CM song (lyric: Yu Akyu, composer: Yasuhiro Suzuki]].1988)

## NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen participation history

| Year/Broadcast | time | song | Order of appearances | Opponents |
| 1977(Show 52) | 28th | Feeling | First | Koichi Morita and Top Gallant |

### Notes

* The appearance order is expressed as "Appearance order / Number of contestants".