Sandii

Sandii stands out as one of Japan's leading pop vocalists and has directed growing interest toward Hawaiian musical traditions. Worldwide notice came her way during the 1980s through her position as lead vocalist in the Japanese pop outfit Sandii and the Sunsetz, thanks to her expressive singing style, memorable lyrics, and lively fusion of champur-style dangdut dance music, reggae, and Japanese pop elements. Following a 1983 Australian tour, she embarked on an American outing the next year, serving as opener for Midnight Oil and Spy vs. Spy. Critical praise for her solo work has persisted ever since the group's final performance on Christmas Eve 1990 at Tokyo's Ink Stick Suzue Factory. Her path to prominence began with a 1974 stint as a disc jockey at NHK-Radio. Two years afterward, she achieved her initial songwriting triumph by capturing the Grand Prix at the World Popular Song Festival. In the closing months of 1980, after issuing the album Eating Pleasure alongside Hosono Haroumi, Sandii debuted on stage with Sandii and the Sunsetz by supporting the Yellow Magic Orchestra at Tokyo's Budokan Arena. Global broadcasts carried the band's set from the Japan Aid concert held at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo.