Rainbow signal: Hi-Fi Set

Rainbow Signal, released in 1977, stands as a hallmark album of the Japanese city pop movement. It was recorded by Hi-Fi Set, a vocal trio formed by former members of the folk group Akai Tori, who were known for their sophisticated vocal harmonies and penchant for jazz-inflected arrangements. The album emerged during a period of transition in the Japanese music industry, where artists began blending Western AOR, soft rock, and fusion styles into a polished, urban-focused sound that resonated with the burgeoning middle-class consumer culture of the late 1970s.

The production on this record is notable for its clean, meticulous studio craft, which defined the high-fidelity aesthetic Hi-Fi Set championed. By collaborating with top-tier arrangers and session musicians, the group aimed for a refined, cosmopolitan atmosphere that prioritized technical clarity. Upon its release, the album was well-received by critics who praised its lush production and the group's ability to seamlessly bridge the gap between easy listening and progressive jazz, solidifying their reputation as quintessential representatives of the sophisticated soundscape of the era.