Masaaki Hirao – 必殺仕事人Vol.I

Masaaki Hirao's 必殺仕事人Vol.I stands as a notable television soundtrack from 1984, capturing the essence of the beloved Japanese drama series about righteous assassins operating in the Edo period. Released on the Starchild label, this vinyl release represents Hirao's contribution to one of Japan's most enduring television franchises, which centered on morally complex antiheroes dispensing justice outside the law. The album showcases Hirao's skill at composing dramatic underscore that balances tension with traditional Japanese sensibilities, evident in tracks like "人殺し～行動のテーマ" and "激闘!!仕事人" that drive narrative momentum through action sequences. The opening and closing themes frame each side, providing cohesion to what is essentially incidental music compiled from multiple episodes. Standout pieces include "中村主水のテーマ," the character theme for the series' protagonist, and "沈みゆく太陽～対決仕事人," which builds dramatic intensity. This soundtrack captures the sophisticated musical approach television composers brought to crime dramas of the era, making it essential for both soundtrack enthusiasts and collectors of Japanese vinyl from the early 1980s.