Mayumi Kojima

Mayumi Kojima (小島麻由美, Kojima Mayumi, born September 30, 1972) is a Japanese Shibuya-kei musician. As of 2015, she has released 10 studio albums, 3 extended plays and several singles. Her music has been featured in multiple movies and television commercials. In the west, she is best known for her songs "Hatsukoi" (はつ恋), which was featured in a Nintendo commercial for the video game Super Mario Advance 4,[1][2] and "Poltergeist" (ポルターガイスト, Porutāgaisuto), which was used as the opening theme song of the anime Ghost Hound.[3]

Mayumi Kojima
小島麻由美
Birth nameMayumi Kojima
Born (1972-09-30) September 30, 1972
Nakano, Tokyo, Japan
GenresShibuya-Kei, Jazz, Blues, Bossa nova
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, piano
Years active1995–present
Labels
Associated actsAsa-Chang, Boom Pam, Hideki Kaji
Websitekojimamayumi.com

Life and career

Mayumi Kojima was born in Tokyo. When she was in high school, she heard some music by Rosemary Clooney and suddenly became captivated by American 50s music. But English lyrics were troublesome, so she decided to make her own music.[4] In childhood, influenced by her brother, she enjoyed listening to classical music, but with the new influence of 50s and 60s pop, she wanted to cross jazzy rhythms with different musical genres like the old pop artists did.[5] At the age of 18, she wrote her first song, "Manatsu no Umi" (真夏の海), and the demo tape was noticed by a record company. From then on, her life as a musician started.[4] She made her debut release on July 21, 1995 with the single "Kekkonsōdanjo" (結婚相談所),[6] and in 1998, having released 3 albums and 6 singles since her debut, she went on her first national tour.[7]

Kojima's music was licensed by companies for use in commercials, the first of which were Calbee. This was followed by other commercials and use in other television media. In 1999, Kojima provided the song "Fūsen" (ふうせん) for the NHK TV program Minna no Uta. In addition, she was also in charge of animation for the song using her characteristic illustration style often seen on her album covers.[2] In 2001, Nintendo aired a commercial in the United States for the video game Super Mario Advance 4, in which Kojima's song, "Hatsukoi" (はつ恋), was featured. The commercial was on air from 2001 to 2002 and was one of the first times non-Japanese people were exposed to her music.[1][2] In 2005, Kojima's song "Poltergeist" (ポルターガイスト, Porutāgaisuto) was used as the opening theme song of Production I.G.'s 20th anniversary project, the anime Ghost Hound.[3]

In 2015, as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of her debut, she collaborated with Israeli surf rock band Boom Pam to create the album With Boom Pam, which consists of new interpretations of some of her earlier songs in a new style influenced by Mediterranean surf rock. The album was released on July 22, 2015.[8] On the same day, the limited edition commemorative album compilation La saison de Cécile 1995–1999 (セシルの季節, Seshiru no Kisetsu) was also released. It includes her three first albums, also called the Cécile trilogy, in new remastered UHQCD format with previously unreleased demos, instrumentals and alternate takes/mixes. Furthermore, the unfinished album Ai no Mirage (愛のミラージュ, Ai no Mirāju) is included.[9]

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
[10]
Blues de Cécile (セシルのブルース, Seshiru no Burūsu)
  • Released: August 19, 1995 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
Hatachi no Koi (二十歳の恋, Hatachi no Koi) (L'Amour à 20ans)
  • Released: September 20, 1996 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
90
Sayonara Cécile (さよならセシル, Sayonara Seshiru) (Adieu, la saison de Cécile)
  • Released: June 17, 1998 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
19
My Name Is Blue
  • Released: September 5, 2001 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
14
Ai no Poltergeist (愛のポルターガイスト, Ai no Porutāgaisuto) (Ai no Poltergeist: Sounds of Kojima Mayumi)
  • Released: January 16, 2003 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
17
Sweetheart of Pablo (パブロの恋人, Paburo no Koibito)
  • Released: September 15, 2004 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
47
Swingin' Caravan! (スウィンギン・キャラバン, Suwingin Kyaraban)
  • Released: March 15, 2006 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
77
Blue Rondo (ブルーロンド, Burū Rondo)
  • Released: February 3, 2010 (JPN)
  • Label: AWDR/LR2
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
42
On the Road (路上, Rojō)
  • Released: December 3, 2014 (JPN)
  • Label: AWDR/LR2
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
  • Note: Instrumental album was also released
86
With Boom Pam
  • Released: July 22, 2015 (JPN)
  • Label: AWDR/LR2
  • Formats: CD, digital download
138
Cover Songs
  • Released: December 2, 2015 (JPN)
  • Label: AWDR/LR2
  • Formats: CD, digital download
118
Alternative titles in parentheses

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
[10]
Omokage (面おもかげ影, Omo Omokage Kage)
  • Released: November 19, 2003 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
84
Kojima Mayumi's Paperback
  • Released: September 21, 2005 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: Book/CD
On the Beach (渚にて, Nagisa ni te)
  • Released: July 9, 2014 (JPN)
  • Label: AWDR/LR2
  • Formats: CD, digital download
71

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Single details Peak positions
JPN
[10]
"Kekkonsōdanjo" (結婚相談所)
  • Released: July 21, 1995 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
"Koi no Kokuraku Tokkyū" (恋の極楽特急)
  • Released: November 17, 1995 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
"Sensei no Okiniiri" (先生のお気に入り)
  • Released: February 12, 1996 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
"Manatsu no Umi" (真夏の海)
  • Released: June 5, 1996 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Hatsukoi/Oshaberi! Oshaberi! (はつ恋/おしゃべり!おしゃべり!)
  • Released: June 18, 1997 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
95
"Cécile Cat Blues" (セシルカットブルース, Seshiru Katto Burūsu)
  • Released: May 20, 1998 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
"Mayonaka no Party" (真夜中のパーティー, Mayonaka no Pātii)
  • Released: December 2, 1998 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
94
"Fūsen" (ふうせん) ("Ballon à Jouer")
  • Released: March 3, 1999 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
92
"Rokudenashi" (ろくでなし)
  • Released: September 1, 1999 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
"Waiwaiwai" (わいわいわい)
  • Released: April 18, 2001 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
48
"Amai Koi" (甘い恋)
  • Released: August 1, 2001 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
73
"Rocksteady Girl" (ロック ステディ ガール, Rakku Sutedi Gāru)
  • Released: April 17, 2002 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
40
"Itoshi no Kids" (愛しのキッズ, Itoshi no Kizzu)
  • Released: September 19, 2002 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
73
"Blue Melody" (ブルーメロディ, Burū Merodi)
  • Released: September 1, 2004 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
94
"Merry! Go! Round!" (メリーゴーランド, Merii Gō Rando)
  • Released: September 1, 2009 (JPN)
  • Label: AWDR/LR2
  • Formats: CD, digital download
71
"Arabesque" (アラベスク, Arabesuku)
  • Released: November 11, 2009 (JPN)
  • Label: AWDR/LR2
  • Formats: CD, digital download
83
Awa ni Natta Koi/Tsukikage no Napoli (泡になった恋/月影のナポリ(Tintarella di luna))
  • Released: July 9, 2014 (JPN)
  • Label: AWDR/LR2
  • Formats: LP
"Yūhi ga Naiteiru" (夕陽が泣いている)
  • Released: August 2, 2014 (JPN)
  • Label: HMV
  • Formats: LP
  • Note: HMV Exclusive, 200 Pressings Limited Edition[11]
Alternative titles in parentheses

Live albums

List of live albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
Songs for Gentlemen
  • Released: February 17, 2000 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
44

Compilations

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
[10]
Me and My Monkey on the Moon
  • Released: December 6, 2000 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
44
A Musical Biography 2001-2007
  • Released: September 5, 2007 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
87
La saison de Cécile 1995-1999 (セシルの季節, Seshiru no Kisetsu)
  • Released: July 22, 2015 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD
109

DVDs

Title Details
Blues de la Cécile (セシル座のブルース, Seshiru Za no Burūsu)
  • Released: March 19, 2003 (JPN)
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: VHS, DVD
  • Type: Music video
GALACTiKA 07
  • Released: November 3, 2004 (JPN)
  • Label: Albatros / Dub
  • Formats: DVD
  • Type: Live, interview
Blue Rondo Live!
  • Released: November 24, 2010 (JPN)
  • Label: Uplink
  • Formats: DVD, CD
  • Type: Live

References

  1. "Hatsukoi – The Best Licensed Songs Used in Video Game Commercials | Complex". complex.com. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  2. "小島麻由美(Mayumi Kojima) | SPACE SHOWER MUSIC". spaceshowermusic.com (in Japanese). Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  3. "神霊狩/GHOST HOUND|スタッフ&キャスト(ゴーストハウンド)". goo.ne.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 21, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  4. "小島麻由美オフィシャルサイト ~1994年". kojimamayumi.com (in Japanese). Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  5. "Interview : Mayumi Kojima –". kochipan.org (in French). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  6. "小島麻由美オフィシャルサイト 1995年". kojimamayumi.com (in Japanese). Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  7. "小島麻由美オフィシャルサイト 1998年". kojimamayumi.com (in Japanese). Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  8. "小島麻由美の代表曲の数々が地中海を経由してテルアビブ・サーフロック・サウンドとしてリボーン! | SPACE SHOWER MUSIC". spaceshowermusic.com (in Japanese). Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  9. "小島麻由美 セシルの季節ーLa saison de cecile 1995~1999|UHQCD|ポニーキャニオン". ponycanyon.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 16, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  10. "小島麻由美 | ORICON STYLE". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  11. "小島麻由美 / 夕陽が泣いている | HMV record shop". hmv.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
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