Nishoku no Koma

Nishoku no Koma (二色の独楽) is the fourth studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Yosui Inoue, released in October 1974.

All tracks which appeared on the album were recorded at the studios in Los Angeles, owing to a record producer Hidenori Taga's suggestion. Except an arranger Katz Hoshi and a guitarist Hiromi Yasuda, recording for the album were completed by the Western session musicians. In addition to Hoshi who had participated in Inoue's previous albums, Gene Page joined the arrangement for some songs. The title track was arranged by Jack Nitzsche, who appointed all personnel and controlled the recording of the song rigidly.

Highly recommended by the recording artist himself, the song "Yūdachi" was released as a single prior to the album. It features an arrangement reminiscent of "Sympathy for the Devil" by The Rolling Stones. Because of the contribution for the song, an arranger Katz Hoshi won the 16th Japan Record Awards for "Best Arrangement" category.

Like a predecessor, Nishoku no Koma also reached the top on the Japanese Oricon Weekly LP charts, and remained there for ten consecutive weeks.

Track listing
All songs written and composed by Yōsui Inoue

Side one
All songs arranged by Katz Hoshi (except "Gomen", "Tsuki ga Warau" arranged by Gene Page, "Nishoku no Koma" arranged by Jack Nitzsche)
 * 1) "Kasa ga Nai (傘がない) (Introduction)" - 1:09
 * 2) "Yūdachi (夕立)" - 2:35
 * 3) "Taiyou no Machi (太陽の町)" - 1:11
 * 4) "Happy Birthday" - 3:56
 * 5) "Zenmai Jikake no Kabutomushi (ゼンマイじかけのカブト虫)" - 3:05
 * 6) "Gomen (御免)" - 2:59
 * 7) "Tsuki ga Warau (月が笑う)" - 3:43
 * 8) "Nishoku no Koma (二色の独楽)" - 5:18

Side two
All songs arranged by Katz Hoshi (except "London Kyūkou" and "Taiyou no Machi" arranged by Gene Page)
 * 1) "Kimi to Boku no Blues (君と僕のブルース)" - 3:31
 * 2) "No-ichigo (野イチゴ)" - 2:54
 * 3) "London Kyūkou (ロンドン急行)" - 3:38
 * 4) "Tabi kara Tabi (旅から旅)" - 4:29
 * 5) "Nemuri ni Sasoware (眠りにさそわれ)" - 4:14
 * 6) "Taiyou no Machi (太陽の町)" - 3:03

Personnel

 * Yosui Inoue - Vocals, guitar
 * Ray Parker Jr. - Guitar
 * David T. Walker - Guitar
 * Louie Shelton - Guitar
 * Jesse Ed Davis - Guitar
 * Hiromi Yasuda - Guitar
 * Dennis Budimir - Guitar
 * Orville Red Rhodes - Steel guitar
 * Edward Green - Drums
 * Harvey Mason - Drums
 * Wilton Felder - Bass guitar
 * Max Bennett - Bass guitar
 * Scott Edwards - Bass guitar
 * Reine Press - Bass guitar
 * Larry Muhoberac - Keyboards
 * Joe Sample - Keyboards
 * Clarence McDonald - Keyboards
 * Peter Robinson - Keyboards
 * Jack Nitzsche - Keyboards
 * Joe Clayton - Percussion
 * Milt Holland - Percussion
 * Alan Estes - Percussion
 * Gary Coleman - Percussion

Production

 * Hidenori Taga - Produce
 * Yasuo Kawase - Assistant
 * Katsuya Amuro - Assistant
 * Yoshiyuki Okuda - Management
 * Henry Lewy - Engineer
 * Bruce Botnich - Engineer
 * Susumu Ohno - Engineer
 * Fuyuo Nakamura - Photography
 * Yosui Inoue - Photography
 * Fukuyo Inoue - Photography
 * Osamu Sakai - Layout design