Seychelles

Takanaka's first solo album arrives with the assurance of a guitarist who could already be heard on Sadistic Mika Band's Kurofune. Here the destination changes. Surrounded by strong players, he sets out a bright run of tropical, funky pop instrumentals, with TANTAN's light vocal and Yosui Inoue's chorus adding just enough human warmth.

The vocal moments on “Tokyo Leggy” and “Sayonara… Fuji-san” have a relaxed character of their own. For a more immediate jolt, start with “Oh! Tengo Suerte,” where the horns and Takanaka's guitar make the album's exuberance impossible to miss.