HAMADA, MARI rainbow dream VIH-28204

Chasing the Rainbow: Mari Hamada’s ‘Rainbow Dream’ (Promo VIH-28204)

Let’s explore the fourth studio album from Japanese rock vocalist Mari Hamada, titled “Rainbow Dream.” This entry focuses on the 12-inch vinyl LP released on the Invitation label (Victor) with the catalog number VIH-28204. Notably, this specific copy is a promotional sample pressing.

Issued on January 21, 1985, this 9-track album marked a continuation of Hamada’s powerful presence in the Japanese heavy metal scene following her initial trilogy of albums. Significantly, “Rainbow Dream” saw Hamada taking the producer’s chair herself, showcasing her growing artistic control. The album delivers her formidable vocal talents against a backdrop of high-quality heavy metal and hard rock instrumentation, arranged by the H.M. Project.

The record features exceptional musicianship, including guitar contributions from Takahiro Matsumoto, who would later achieve immense fame with B’z. The 9 tracks blend original compositions penned largely by Hamada herself with skillful guitar work from Matsumoto, keyboard textures from Yogo Kohno, and a powerful rhythm section.

Adding an interesting dimension, “Rainbow Dream” also includes two cover songs: Survivor’s iconic “The Moment Of Truth” (from The Karate Kid soundtrack) and Gary Moore’s “Love, Love, Love,” allowing Hamada to put her powerful stamp on well-known rock anthems. The album came packaged with an insert sheet that doubled as a fold-out poster.

VIH-28204 captures Mari Hamada solidifying her status as Japan’s premier female heavy metal vocalist while taking on production duties. “Rainbow Dream,” especially as a promotional sample, remains a desirable item for collectors, showcasing another strong collection of powerful, melodic metal tracks from her classic era.