About this Record
This ultra-rare promotional test pressing (プロモート用テスト盤) marks the historic 1985 debut of Pizzicato Five, titled The Audrey Hepburn Complex (オードリィ・ヘプバーン・コンプレックス), released on Haruomi Hosono’s influential Non-Standard label (Teichiku Records, Catalog: 12NS-1003).
Produced by Haruomi Hosono (Yellow Magic Orchestra), this release captures the earliest incarnation of Pizzicato Five—featuring Yasuharu Konishi, Keitaro Takanami, Mamiko Sasaki, and Ryo Kamiya—years before they became global icons of the 1990s Shibuya-kei movement. The sound blends slick sophisti-pop, synth-funk, and cinematic elegance. As a white-label promo (“見本品”) distributed strictly to radio stations and press prior to its August 21, 1985 release date, this copy is a prized artifact for Japanese pop archivists and vinyl collectors.
Tracklist & Notes
Catalog Number: 12NS-1003
Label: Non-Standard / Teichiku Records
Format: 12″ Single, 45 RPM (Promo / Test Pressing)
- Side A: The Audrey Hepburn Complex (オードリィ・ヘプバーン・コンプレックス)
- Side B: Instrumental / B-Side Tracks
「ピチカート・ファイヴは私も大好き。1300円の値札が、、。」
(Wife’s thought: Love Pizzicato Five—not so sure about that lingering 1,300-yen price sticker.)
