Hiroshi Sato "Awakening" Special Edition 2LP [Clear Blue]

Release date November 13, 2026

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• Reissue celebrating the 40th anniversary of its release
• Pressed on Clear Blue and Aqua Blue vinyl
• Newly cut lacquers by master cutting engineer Shigeru Takezawa
• Mellow, soulful, and borderless sound that continues to inspire generations of musicians

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of "Awakening," the 2022 double vinyl edition "Awakening Special Edition" is being reissued with a brand-new cutting.

Originally released in 1982 as Hiroshi Sato’s fourth studio album and his first release after moving to Alfa Records, "Awakening" was recorded following his time working in Los Angeles. Featuring Canadian vocalist Wendy Matthews, the album also introduced cutting-edge drum machine technology at the time, including the LinnDrum. It masterfully blends Hiroshi Sato’s refined production sensibility with the atmosphere of the American West Coast.

Far from sounding mechanical despite its programmed elements, the album delivers a mellow, soulful, and borderless sound that continues to inspire generations of musicians. Guitarists Tatsuro Yamashita, Tsunehide Matsuki, and Yuji Toriyama also participated in the sessions.

Disc 1 contains the original 1982 version of the album. Disc 2 includes vocal off-track versions, off sound-effect tracks featuring ocean waves, the previously added 1986 CD bonus track "BLUE AND MOODY MUSIC (WENDY’S VERSION)," and a 2005 remix of "IT ISN’T EASY" by Hiroshi Sato himself.

For this reissue, both discs feature newly cut lacquers by master cutting engineer Shigeru Takezawa. Disc 1 is pressed on Clear Blue vinyl, while Disc 2 comes on Aqua Blue vinyl.