VersionCrazy

1989

‘Life In Tokyo’ ‘Souvenir From Japan’ compilation version (4’02”)

‘Life In Tokyo’ ‘Souvenir From Japan’ compilation version (4’02”)

Another Hansa label compilation and yet another variation of ‘Life In Tokyo’ sees light of day, least when you might expect it. By 1989, Japan were a long time gone and this compilation appeared out of the blue, bang in the middle of all things Madchester, Acid House and the like. No ‘Assemblage’-like sales here, sadly, an all too easily missed release. Nevertheless, I first bought this on cassette (there was never a vinyl release) and later on CD.

^ The 1989 Japan compilation CD ‘Souvenir From Japan’

Immediately, it was obvious to my ears that we had yet another version of the track on the go. It resembles the 1982 version from the ‘Assemblage’ Special Edition Double Play cassette, but it is far from the same. At just over four minutes in duration, its not only a good bit shorter than that version but it is different mix altogether. It is not just that the intro has been shortened down so it gets to the main chorus and then first verse much more swiftly, or that it fades out earlier – no, there are all kinds of edits. Taking a listen from about the 3’15” mark, on this version there are only the female backing vocals chanting “Oh, oh, oh life can be cruel… life in Tokyo” – compare with the longer mix and Sylvian’s vocal is also present alongside those female vocals on that mix.

This is the only Japan release (so far) to include this mix, but it has also appeared on the Uncut magazine’s cover-mount compilation CD  ‘Dawn Of Electronica’ [2000, Uncut UNCUTCD 001].

Also worth noting, that K-Tel records compilation from 1982 (mentioned in part 2 of this series) looks to have been a shortened version of this mix.

It is likely that the forthcoming March 2021 ‘Life In Tokyo’ CD EP that accompanies the ‘Quiet Life’ deluxe edition re-issue includes this as what’s described on that as ‘Assemblage 7″ Remix 1981’ (even if it never appeared on ‘Assemblage’ nor was released in 1981!)

^ Uncut magazine’s cover-mount compilation CD ‘Dawn Of Electronica’

1982

‘Life In Tokyo’ (Remix) (6’15”)
‘Life In Tokyo’ (Special Remix) (4’02”)
‘Life In Tokyo’ (Extended Remix) (7’05”)
‘Life In Tokyo’ (Theme) (3’55”)
‘Life In Tokyo’ (‘Street Scene’ K-Tel compilation LP mix) (2’58”)

‘Life In Tokyo’ (Remix) (6’15”)

This wildly different version of ‘Life In Tokyo’ first saw light of day as the opening track of side two of the ‘Assemblage’ Special Edition Double Play cassette-only re-release in the UK. I think this was released October 1982, based on this advert from Record Mirror magazine, issue dated 30 October 1982. On the cassette’s card inlay it was listed as ‘Special Remix’ (and wrongly listed with a duration of 7’05”), whereas the cassette shell itself listed it just as ‘Remix’.

^ 1982 UK ‘Assemblage’ Special Edition Double Play cassette box – the first release for this mix.

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March 2021 will see the latest re-release for Japan’s third album, ‘Quiet Life’, this time in a super deluxe boxed set edition, amongst other remastered formats (single CD, vinyl LP on different weights/colours). That particular deluxe re-issue is set to include a CD of contemporary extras (‘A Quieter Life: Alternative Mixes and Rarities’) which will include the 7″ and 12″ remixes of ‘Life In Tokyo’ made by Steve Nye and released in September 1982 in the UK, as well as ‘Life In Tokyo (Theme Giorgio Moroder Version 1979)’, the exact nature of which is yet to become clear at time of writing.

^ Various 1979 and 1981 singe releases of ‘Life In Tokyo’

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