Mieko Hirota - My Funny Valentine (1976)

This 1976 cover album features Western jazz, soul, and pop songs by Mieko Hirota, a female singer nicknamed "MICO" and hailed as the "Queen of Pop" at the time, making her a must-have for fans of Japanese music.

Featuring a stellar lineup of backing musicians, including Akira Ishikawa, Takeru Muraoka, Akira Okazawa, Takao Naoi, Tsunehide Matsuki, and Yasushi Ichihara, this groovy album is also a highlight. Other tracks include A3, a soulful cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," A1, a tight cover of the standard "My Funny Valentine" with vivid backing music, Alan O.Day's "Easy Evil," a high-speed samba fusion cover of the popular standard "There Will Never Be Another You," and a superb cover of Aretha Franklyn's "Day Dreaming."