Days of Yesterday, Hiromi Kanda's Sophomore Album, Set for Release September 13

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiromi Kanda (www.hiromikanda.com), the acclaimed Japanese vocalist with a penchant for the Great American Songbook, will release her sophomore album, Days of Yesterday, on September 13, on the Music Gate label (distributed by Warner Music Group/ADA). The follow-up to Kanda's critically acclaimed 2010 debut Hiromi in Love features both more timeless classics and new, original material penned by Kanda and her husband Yusuke Hoguchi, a prominent composer and producer in his own right. Hoguchi also served as the album's producer.

Even before the album hits the streets, the buzz among top radio executives is accelerating. Chick Watkins of Dial Global Network, the largest independent, full-service broadcasting company in America, had this to say about Days of Yesterday: "Hiromi Kanda has a unique sound and a fresh approach. This sounds like a winner!" Don Kennedy, host of the nationally syndicated Big Band Jump show, calls Hiromi "a rare talent, unique," and adds that Days… is "perfectly produced." David Allan of Albany, N.Y.-based WABY radio, agrees and singles out the Kanda/Hoguchi-penned original song "Dreamer" for special recognition. "I would recommend 'Dreamer' to any programmer," he says. "It really swings!"

Arranged by Matt Catingub (Rosemary Clooney, Louie Bellson), who also conducted the 50-piece orchestra, and engineered by multiple Grammy-winner Al Schmitt (Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall, Ray Charles), Days of Yesterday was recorded at the legendary Capitol Studios in Hollywood in the summer of 2010.

Days of Yesterday extends Kanda's reach via lush orchestrations and sophisticated arrangements and showcases the expanded and sultry vocal palette of Hiromi, whose love for the giant songwriters of yesteryear such as Cole Porter and the Gershwins knows no bounds.

Says Chris Gibson of the influential theatre and entertainment site, www.broadwayworld.com, "Hiromi Kanda is a force to be reckoned with, and she's a knock out to boot. … brilliantly conceived and executed and highly recommended."

On Days of Yesterday Kanda offers her interpretations of such proven gems as "All of Me," "I Love Paris," "Smile," "Stella by Starlight" and "It Had to Be You." The set's three original compositions fit in cozily alongside the classics and one, titled "Goodnight Yesterday," spotlights the great Joe Sample—best known as one of the founding members of jazz legends the Crusaders—guesting on piano.

Fred Croshal of the Croshal Entertainment Group, LLC, an L.A.-based entertainment company which recently took Kanda on as a client states, "Working with Hiromi has been a true pleasure. Her exceptional talent and vocals added to timeless classics will surely satisfy every listener."

Days of Yesterday will undoubtedly further the reputation of this unique, stylish and poised artist. For Hiromi Kanda, this gorgeous new recording marks the point where she no longer simply pays tribute to, but becomes one of the great vocalists.

SOURCE Hiromi Kanda