Miki Imai's career can be divided into two distinct eras. In the ‘80s and early ‘90s, the Japanese singer/actress made her name with light, breezy pop tunes. But in the mid-'90s, after she began working with guitarist and composer Tomoyasu Hotei (whom she later married), her music veered into a softer, slower direction, adding lavish orchestral arrangements to her trademark ballads and midtempo songs. What doesn't change throughout Imai's discography is her cool jazz and bossa nova-inspired style, and her relaxing, smooth voice.