ROMAN

The second album by former Sugar Babe guitarist Kunio Muramatsu is full of the ease of a practiced pop craftsman. A3 perfectly blends A&M with neo-acoustic pop: an addictive mellow song. A5 conveys Minako Yoshida's imagery, intertwining the lingering scent of love with rain, in Ohtaki-style Philly soul. B2 is a naive pop tune with transparent appeal. There are enjoyable devices throughout this excellent album, including phrases recalling John Lennon and Duran Duran.