Disk Union Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masahiko Hirohata), through its publishing imprint DU BOOKS, will release Light Mellow presents: Japanese Fusion & Crossover Disc Guide (supervised by Toshikazu Kanazawa) on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Japanese fusion and crossover music went through major growth from the 1970s into the 80s. This new guide focuses on that golden era, carefully selecting 619 landmark titles that showcase the refined sound distinctive to Japanese artists of the period.
The book also draws from vocal-centered genres such as city pop, new music, and kayo pop, selecting works that carry a fusion or crossover sensibility. Covering both instrumental and vocal recordings, it offers a wide-ranging look at the rich Japanese music scene of the 1970s and 80s.
Highlights
- The main guide is organized by instrument, with chapters dedicated to guitar, keyboard, saxophone, bass, and drums
- Key vocal-genre works from city pop, new music, and similar styles are also featured
- Every entry includes information on the musicians who performed on it
- Selections range from well-known classics to lesser-known titles, chosen through the Light Mellow series' distinctive perspective
About the supervisor
Toshikazu Kanazawa (born 1960) is a music writer who has spent decades introducing AOR and city pop through the Light Mellow series. He writes and supervises widely across AOR, fusion, soul, jazz, city pop, and other mellow music styles from the 1970s and 80s. Since launching the Light Mellow series in the late 1990s, he has continued to spotlight quality recordings through disc guides and CD reissue supervision, and he is regarded as one of the key figures behind the recent city pop revival. His books and supervised works include the Light Mellow 和モノ Special and AOR Light Mellow Premium series, among others.
Building on the perspective he developed with Light Mellow 和モノ Special, Kanazawa revisits the appeal of Japanese fusion and crossover music in this new guide.
Book details
- Title: Light Mellow presents: Japanese Fusion & Crossover Disc Guide
- Subtitle: 619 Landmark Japanese Fusion Titles
- Supervisor: Toshikazu Kanazawa
- Contributors: Toshikazu Kanazawa, Kunimondo Takiguchi, Yuji Shibasaki, Kazunori Harada, Masayoshi Kondo, ガモウユウイチ
- Format: A5, softcover, 320 pages
- Tentative price: ¥2,700 (plus tax)
- ISBN: 978-4-86647-272-0
- Scheduled release date: September 15, 2026 (Tue)
- Distributed by: Disk Union Co., Ltd.
- Published by: DU BOOKS
Product page: https://diskunion.net/dubooks/ct/detail/1009275937
The book will be available at Disk Union stores, as well as bookstores, record shops, and online retailers nationwide.
