"It's about yearning and imagination," says Cunimondo Takiguchi (real name … Read Full Bio ↴"It's about yearning and imagination," says Cunimondo Takiguchi (real name Toshiaki Takiguchi), 43, who has also used the moniker Ryusenkei since 2003. According to Takiguchi, City Pop's focus is on the theme of the city and the ocean. "There's a desire that's turned into sound that is what City Pop is all about," he explains. "It's about leisure."

Inspired by soul music, AOR and fusion, Takiguchi started his music career in middle school when he formed a band. He joined Tower Records after finishing school and throughout his 20s he continued to make music, taking influences from acid jazz and Shibuya-kei. Though a hobby at first, he eventually gave into pressure from his friends and in 2003 he released his debut album, "City Music" with vocalist Tomomi Sano. For his second album, "Tokyo Sniper" (2006), he was joined by vocalist Hitomitoi, and his third album, "Natural Woman," was recorded with vocalist Atsuko Hiyajo.

Summer in the city: City Pop artist Toshiaki Takiguchi, who records as Ryusenkei, says the genre is "all about leisure."
His most recent effort comes in the form of former bandmate and singer Hitomitoi's latest album, "City Dive." Takiguchi invited fellow City Pop enthusiasts Dorian and Kashif (aka Stringsburn) to join the project and they contributed to the album's songwriting and arrangements. The album, which came out on Billboard Records on June 20, contains what the label calls "new city music" and its textures and sounds recall the early '80s.

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