HAMADA, MARI magic(adventurous heart) VIHX-1713

A fantastic 7-inch single from Japanese rock vocalist Mari Hamada’s transitional period is the focus for this entry. We are looking at her 4th single, “Magic (Adventurous Heart),” released on June 21, 1987, via the Invitation label (Victor) with the catalog number VIHX-1713.

This 45 RPM vinyl captures Hamada during her evolution from a pure heavy metal queen to a more polished, melodic hard rock artist. Both tracks on this single were non-album originals at the time, making this release essential for fans.

The single features two tracks, both with lyrics by Mari Hamada:
A: Magic (Adventurous Heart)
B: Right To Go

The A-side, “Magic (Adventurous Heart),” was a notable commercial tie-in, serving as the ending theme for the TV Asahi program CNN Day Watch.

The B-side, “Right To Go,” is considered by many fans to be a “hidden masterpiece.” Composed by Hiroaki Matsuzawa (of the band Make-Up), the song perfectly balances hard-edged, melodic guitar work (featuring Matsuzawa’s signature “crying” harmony guitar phrases) with Hamada’s powerful vocals, capturing a sound reminiscent of classic Make-Up. This collaboration was a perfect fit, and Matsuzawa would later co-write her massive hit, “Blue Revolution.”

VIHX-1713 stands as a high-quality snapshot of Hamada’s 1987 sound, showcasing her powerful vocals and excellent songwriting collaborations.