If one were to search for a voice in Japanese pop music history that remains perpetually trusted and relied upon, Chikuzen Sato is undoubtedly at the top of the list. Since his major debut in the early 1990s as the frontman of SING LIKE TALKING, his voice has been a constant companion to Japanese urban pop. Over a career spanning more than 35 years—traversing the tail end of the bubble economy, shifting eras, and changing media landscapes—his vocals have maintained a rare stability and profound conviction.

Chikuzen Sato belongs to a generation that prioritized "sonic perfection." Rhythm, harmony, tone, and spatial awareness are all indispensable pillars of his work. His singing is never exaggerated or intentionally sentimental; instead, he builds emotion through subtle detail. He doesn’t move people through high-tension performance, but rather through steady breath and precise phrasing, allowing melodies to settle in the listener’s heart as naturally as breathing.

Regarding his influences, Sato has frequently expressed deep admiration for the musical philosophy represented by Jeff Porcaro, the legendary drummer of TOTO. To Sato, it’s not just about technical mastery; it’s about a profound respect for performance preparation, the "Groove," and the integrity of the sound—a spirit that treats music as both a professional craft and a high aesthetic. This value system has shaped his understanding of sound and collaboration, allowing his voice to engage in fluid, effortless dialogues with musicians of all generations.

For this performance, Chikuzen Sato will take the stage at Billboard Live TAIPEI alongside the Osaka-based rising stars, Neighbors Complain. Deeply influenced by Soul, R&B, AOR, and City-Pop, this band excels at combining a solid rhythmic foundation with modern arrangements to re-interpret mature musical languages. For them, this is more than a cross-generational co-performance; it is a live exchange with a senior artist whose very "conviction is in his voice."

In an age where technology has made "clean sound" universal, returning to the sound represented by the 80s and 90s—the era Sato embodies—reveals something truly precious. In a time when tapes and studios relied on the manual precision of hands and ears, achieving such honesty and completeness in sound is a value in itself. When such a voice meets a new generation of musicians still exploring the frontiers of groove and live energy, music ceases to be a mere retrospective—it becomes a living, breathing conversation.

On January 21st, Chikuzen Sato and Neighbors Complain will stand together on the Billboard Live TAIPEI stage. In this intimate space, let the melody, rhythm, and time slowly unfold. This will be a night dedicated to those who truly sit down to "listen" to the music.