About this Record
Comment Sa Va ? is an exquisitely charming and exceptionally rare 1985 Japanese indie EP by the female duo Luna, comprised of Mako Tamada (玉田 魔子 — piano, keyboards, vocals) and Kei Sato (佐藤 ケイ — vocals, toy piano, percussion). Released on the obscure Toypick imprint (catalog number TP-001) and distributed by Kyoto’s revered independent label Zero Records, this 4-track, 33⅓ RPM 7-inch EP is an irresistible blend of French yé-yé, playful toy-pop, chamber folk, and neo-acoustic minimalism.
Recorded at Studio 8 in Ashiya, Hyogo between July and August 1985, the release boasts guest contributions on upright bass, drums, violin, and mandolin. A standout highlight is their whimsical, bilingual interpretation of ‘Une histoire de plage’ (originally penned by Gérard Bourgeois and Jean-Max Rivière, famously sung by Brigitte Bardot). Long treasured by collectors of 1980s Kansai independent music, Japanese underground pop, and precursors to early Shibuya-kei, original copies in clean condition with their delicate picture sleeve are seldom seen outside specialized Japanese indie circles.
Tracklist & Notes
Face Pink (Side A):
- Comment sa va ? (Kei / Tama)
- Une histoire de plage (G. Bourgeois / J-M-Rivière)
Face Grey (Side B):
- Le blue de ciel (Tama / Tama)
- Jardin (Tama)
Credits:
Engineered and mixed by Masakazu Kinoshita (木下 真和). Manufactured in Japan (LM-0601 matrix series).
「デザインはすごく可愛いのに、パッケージがカビてる……（中のレコードは多分大丈夫）。」
(Wife’s thought: The sleeve design is so charming, but the packaging got moldy… (The vinyl itself seems totally fine, though).)
