Akina Nakamori unveiled her disco-tinged sound in '82. Conceived and recorded in the shimmering neon glow of L.A.'s dance scene, its sleek, bold production, allied to her rich vocals and edgy image (opposed to her peers' innocence), turned heads back in Japan. A string of hits followed—all superb slabs of synth-pop often featuring wild guitar solos—making her a chart-conquering sensation. Expanding to embrace romantic strings and jazzy horns, her J-pop sound continued to be irresistible as fashions shifted, with her ever-changing image grabbing as much attention as her provocative lyrics.