Record Day 2018

Record Day is this Saturday November 3, always held on the same day as national holiday "Culture Day". Led by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, many labels and artists coordinate their releases in the favorite physical format of many to make Record Day an event to look forward to. Items are available in shops and online.

Here's a selection of releases that caught Tokyo's Coolest Sound's eye. There's much more to be found on the shelves though, including new Japanese pressings of artists such as France Gall, Brigitte Fontaine, Marc Bolan and more. Check out the lengthy full list here. Happy vinyl shopping!

Nomiya Maki & The Shaolin Brothers "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji c/w Happy Sad" (7")
野宮真貴と少林兄弟「東京は夜の七時 c/w ハッピー・サッド」

Self-covers of Pizzicato Five's "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (aka "the night is still young"), from Nomiya Maki's new album, and "Happy Sad". Brand new recordings produced by Konishi Yasuharu and performed by rockabilly band The Shaolin Brothers. "Happy Sad" is exclusive to this 7"! Color vinyl! Check out the video of "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" below.

A. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji
B. Happy Sad

Universal Music UPKY-9017
Out 11/3, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Miyata Rou "kanashimi wa sazanami no yō ni" (7")
宮田ロウ「悲しみはさざ波のように」

7" by singer-songwriter from Kobe. The B-side contains a cover of Pizzicato Five's "Message Song". Liner notes by Konishi Yasuharu. Audio samples here.

A. kanashimi wa sazanami no yō ni
B1. Message Song
B2. manmaru

Unchantable Records UCT-027
Out 11/3, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Yara Families "Go Go Chimborah / Bossa Nova Jintōyō Remix" (7")
屋良ファミリーズ「ゴーゴー・チンボーラー / ボサノバ・ジントーヨーリミックス」

Okinawa rare groove remixed by Comoesta Yaegashi and DJ SASA. Check below for an audio sampler.

A. Go Go Chimborah (Comoesta Yaegashi Remix)
B. Bossa Nova Jintōyō (DJ SASA Remix)

Unchantable Records UCT-026
Out 11/3, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Kikuchi Tomoka "Kitchen Rhapsody / Donuts no mukō gawa" (7")
菊池ともか「きっちん・らぷそでぃー / ドーナツの向こう側」

Two new songs, inspired by a restaurant and a record shop respectively. Audio samples here.

A. Kitchen Rhapsody
AA. Donuts no mukō gawa

Apricot Sounds ACDU-1
Out 11/3, ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Delisya Sweets "senyu e iko! no Theme Song" (7")
デリシャスウィートス「銭湯へ行こう！のテーマ・ソング」

First vinyl release. Audio samples here.

A. senyu e iko! no Theme Song
B. Sōran bushi

Sazanami Label SZDW-1060
Out 11/3, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "Ohtaki Eiichi Cover Book -Next Generation hen- 'GO! GO! ARAGAIN'"
オムニバス「大瀧詠一 Cover Book -ネクスト・ジェネレーション編- 『GO! GO! ARAGAIN』」

Cover album of Ohtaki Eiichi works. Clear vinyl.

A1. The Shaolin Brothers / kimi wa tenneniro
A2. Kiichi Beer & The Holy Tits / yubikiri
A3. ayU tokiO / shiawase na ketsumatsu
A4. bjons / ame no Wednesday
A5. Spoonful of Lovin' / sore wa boku janai yo
A6. KEEPON / Rock'n'Roll March
B1. Shibata Satoko / kaze tachinu
B2. Triple Fire / asa nebō
B3. Yanagisawa Machiko / ureshii yokan
B4. OLD DAYS TAILOR / Velvet Motel
B5. Siamese Cats / yume de aetara
B6. himitsu no Meanies (Secret Meanies) / haru ranman

Record Day/Toyokasei TYOLP8-1103
Out 11/3, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Ino Hidefumi "Song Album"
猪野秀史「SONG ALBUM」

Vinyl edition of the brand new album out last month.

A1. Skytree
A2. Miracle Of Rendez-vous
A3. Now I See It
A4. Man And Dog
A5. Witchcraft
B1. Can't Sleep -Album Version-
B2. The Sound Of Waves
B3. From 3000 Feet The Sky Of Tokyo
B4. You Are So Beautiful

Innocent Record IRLP-003
Out 11/3, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

HALFBY "Last Aloha" (12")

Halfby's excellent latest album. Check out the video for "Diamond Head" below.

A1. Last Aloha
A2. The Sun
A3. Pearl City
A4. Underwater
A5. All Supported by Aloha
A6. Diamond Head
B1. kurikaesu
B2. In & Out of Town
B3. Waikiki Rain
B4. Countryside
B5. Beach of Memories
B6. Honeymoon
B7. The Wonderful World of Aloha (Album Version)

Second Royal EMF-087
Out 11/3, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

The Pen Friend Club "The Garden of the Pen Friend Club" (12")

Latest album now on vinyl.

A1. Our Place
A2. hishō suru nichijō
A3. Don't Take Your Time
A4. Melt Away
A5. egao egao
B1. My Little Red Book
B2. mabataki
B3. suisaiga no machi
B4. Good Lovin'
B5. boku to kimi no Melody
B6. Our Place (Reprise)

Sazanami Label SZDW-1062
Out 11/3, ¥3300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Small Circle of Friends presents STUDIO75 "Over Your Shoulder" (12")

4th album by SCoF's instrumental project STUDIO75.

A1. O'Keeffe's cactus
A2. HELIX
A3. Chime's Ren
A4. Ride jet on the slope
A5. mackerel sky
A6. stroll along in a daydream
A7. Indigo bubbles
A8. dopey
A9. hello,translation
B1. parallelogram
B2. underground
B3. view of cathedral
B4. 9 times knock
B5. Inside chimney
B6. Over Your Shoulder

Musicaanossa Gryps MNGP18
Out 11/3, ¥3241 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Ackky & KH "Aurora" (7")

Cover of Chari Chari's "Aurora" by Ackky and Katsunori Hiraiwa.

A. Aurora (Love Is Gone) feat. Kashif
B. Noid

HMV record shop HR7S109
Out 11/3, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

DMX & Pianica Maeda / VIDEOTAPEMUSIC "Tokyo Luv Story" (10")
DMX & ピアニカ前田 / VIDEOTAPEMUSIC 「Tokyo Luv Story」

Lovers rock cover of "Tokyo Luv Story" by Dub Master X and Pianica Maeda feat. singer YOU (ex-Fairchild) and percussionist Asa-Chang. Split EP with cover of the same song by VIDEOTAPEMUSIC previously released on his 2015 album "sekai kakukoku no yoru".

A1. Tokyo Luv Story feat. YOU
A2. Tokyo Duv Story
B1. Tokyo Luv Story feat. Tsuruoka Ryū
B2. Tokyo Luv Story feat. Patricia Pombo

Pony Canyon/Kakubarhythm BRJA-00002
Out 11/3, ¥2000 (excl. tax)
Order:: Jet Set, Tower Records, HMV

DJ Kawasaki "Don't Put My Heart Down" (7")

First release from DJ Kawasaki's new label "Kawasaki Records". Features Canadian singer Maylee Todd.

A. Don't Put My Heart Down
B. Don't Put My Heart Down (Dr Packer Disco Remix)

Kawasaki Records/HMV record shop HR7S111
Out 11/3, ¥1300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

She Is Summer "Call Me In Your Summer / tobikiri no oshare shite wakatebanashi o - SIRUP & Mori Zentaro Remix -" (7")
She Is Summer 「Call Me In Your Summer / とびきりのおしゃれして別れ話を -SIRUP & Mori Zentaro Remix-」

A-side produced by Katayose Akito (Chocolat & Akito, GREAT3). Check out the video below.

A. Call Me In Your Summer
B. tobikiri no oshare shite wakatebanashi o - SIRUP & Mori Zentaro Remix -

HMV record shop HR7S114
Out 11/3, ¥1667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records

Kukangendai x Sakamoto Ryuichi "ZURERU" (12")
空間現代 × 坂本龍一 "ZURERU"
First collaboration of Kukangendai and Sakamoto Ryuichi. Includes a collaboration song, an original by Kukangendai and its remix by Sakamoto.

A. Kukangendai x Sakamoto Ryuichi / ZURERU
B1. Kukangendai / SUUJI
B2. Sakamoto Ryuichi / SUUJI REMODEL

Kukangendai LLC. KKG-1
Out 11/3, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA -tribute-" (12")

(Title / Artist)
A1． Penguin Cafe Single / Hasumi Shigeomi
A2． Air A Danser / The Other Four
A3． Telephone And Rubber Band / Minekawa Takako
A4． Pythagoras's Trousers / Takahashi Yukihiro
A5． Paul's Dance / Sakamoto Ryūichi + Takada Ren
A6． Simon's Dream / Anonymass
B1． Music For A Found Harmonium / Moose Hill
B2． Isle Of View (Music For Helicopter Pilots) / Steve Jansen
B3． Southern Jukebox Music / Haas (A.K.A. Takano Hiroshi)
B4． Sketch / Kama Aina
B5． Perpetuum Mobile / Takagi Masakatsu
B6． Vega / Mishina Teruoki

HMV record shop HRLP-131
Out 11/3, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

The Beatniks "Extentialist A Xie Xie" (12")

While released on vinyl at the same time as the CD last May, it sold out quickly. Here it is again with a different jacket and pressed on white vinyl.

Columbia COJA-9342
Out 11/3, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, Far Side Music (UK)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

The Beatniks "The Beatniks Live 2018 Night of the Beat Generation" (2x12")

Previously unreleased live album of a show held at EX Theater Roppongi following the release of "Existentialist A Go-Go".

Columbia COJA-9343
Out 11/3, ¥5500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Kotringo "Slow LIVE at HONMONJI ~hakoniwa de Pizzicato~" (12")
コトリンゴ「Slow LIVE at HONMONJI 〜箱庭でピチカート〜」

Live album. Also being released on the CD at the same time. Color vinyl

Slow LIVE LABEL HSLLP-0001
Out 11/3, ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

rei harakami "wasuremono" (2x12")
rei harakami 「わすれもの」

First time on vinyl. Gatefold jacket. Audio samples here.

A1. niji zō
A2. aru Theme
B1. itoguchi
B2. machibuse
B3. wasuremono
C1. kieta koi
C2. okashi
D1. omukae
D2. mebae
D3. sayōnara

rings RINR5
Out 11/3, ¥4167 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records

Itō Gorō "Getz/Gilberto+50 e.p."
伊藤ゴロー「ゲッツ/ジルベルト+50 e.p.」

7" cut from the 2013 tribute album of the same title produced by Itō Gorō.

A. The Girl From Ipanema feat. Toki Asako
B. Vivo Sonhando feat. Harada Tomoyo

Universal Music UCKJ-9003
Out 11/3, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "Christmas Songs"

Christmas album released in 2010 on commmons. Red vinyl!

A1. Harada Tomoyo / Frosty the Snowman
A2. Hosono Haruomi / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
A3. Takahashi Yukihiro / White Christmas
A4. Tokumaru Shūgo / Christmas Eve ~ We Wish You a Merry Christmas
A5. Sean O'Hagan (The High Llamas) / Kabon's Christmas
A6. kotringo / Sleigh Ride
B1. naomi & goro / God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
B2. Minekawa Takako / Listen, The Snow Is Falling
B3. Itō Gorō / Snow
B4. Arthur Jeffes (The Penguin Cafe) / Finland
B5. Sakamoto Ryūichi / Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence re-modeled by Gorō Itō

HMV record shop HRLP-130
Out 11/3, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Crazy Ken Band "Going To A Go-Go" (12"x2)
クレイジーケンバンド「GOING TO A GO-GO」

Latest album (Aug. 2018). Check out the video for "Going To A Go-Go" below.

A1. GOING TO A GO-GO
A2. eye catch * Departure
A3. Soul Train
A4. shuro
A5. ZZ
B1. GARDEN
B2. ８８３
B3. LOCOMOCO
B4. yamabato Waltz
B5. Setsuko
B6. eye catch * Transit
C1. SOUL tsū SOUL
C2. yoru no Dodonpa
C3. Parang tanga iyan
C4. ponkotsu
D1. MIDNIGHT BLACK CADILLAC
D2. Honmoku Garage
D3. ohayō gozaimasu
D4. eye catch * Arrival
D5. nopperabō

Universal Music UMJK-9099
Out 11/3, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Crazy Ken Band "Hong Kong Taxi" (12"x2)
クレイジーケンバンド「香港的士」

2016 album. Check out the video for "Hong Kong Taxi" below.

A1. Hong Kong Taxi
A2. Honmoku Soul Lady
A3. Time Tunnel
A4. taikutsu na nichiyōbi
B1. T-jirō (duet with Nomiya Maki)
B2. onna tomodachi
B3. Ouyang Feifei
B4. eye catch - Wan chai Bus Stop -
B5. Bus ga kuru
C1. oyako no March
C2. Argentine tōhikō
C3. daisan Keihin
C4. chabangeki
C5. eye catch - Honmoku Central Station -
D1. TOTSUZEN CAR CLUB
D2. Motomachi burabura
D3. BABY BABY BABY
D4. PLEASE
D5. Cinderella Liberty

Universal Music UMJK-9097
Out 11/3, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Crazy Ken Band "mō sukkari are nandayone" (12"x2)
クレイジーケンバンド「もうすっかりあれなんだよね」

2015 album.

A1. SOUL PAINT
A2. kaitakusha
A3. machigai darake no kuruma erabi
A4. ningen modoki
A5. mō sukkari are nandayone
B1. yubiwa
B2. Papa no komoriuta
B3. eye catch : sukkari 8 hyōe
B4. 6789
B5. ENGINE
C1. Café Racer
C2. MONEY HONEY
C3. Singapore Sling
C4. Race! Race! Race!
D1. tatsunootoshigo
D2. eye catch : sukkari 16 hyōe
D3. Japanese Night
D4. La Americana
D5. GTR

Universal Music UMJK-9095
Out 11/3, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra "chienowa feat. Mineta Kazunobu / oyoge! taiyaki-kun ~kugure! sakana-kun Ver.~" (7")
東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ「ちえのわ feat.峯田和伸 / およげ!たいやきくん～潜れ!さかなクン Ver.～」

Check out the videos for both songs below.

A. chienowa feat. Mineta Kazunobu
B. oyoge! taiyaki-kun ~kugure! sakana-kun Ver.~

Toyokasei TYO7S1005
Out 11/3, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Fishmans "Night Cruising 2018"

A. Night Cruising 2018
B. Night Cruising

Universal Music UPKY-9012
Out 11/3, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "Roger Nichols Works ~ Special 7inch Box" (7"x3)

A set of three 7"'s selected respectively by Nagato Yoshirō (Pied Piper House), Konishi Yasuharu and Hashimoto Tōru (Suburbia/Café Après-midi).

Selection by Yoshiro Nagato
A. The Sundowners / Always You
AA. Heidi Bruhl / The Drifter

Selection by Yasuharu Konishi
A. Al Martino / I Can See Only You
AA. Shirley Scott / Rainy Days And Mondays Always Get Me Down

Selection by Toru Hashimoto
A. The Four King Cousins / I Fell
AA. The Carnival / Love So Fine

Universal Music UIKY-75058
Out 11/3, ¥4500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "Suburbia Suite; Future Antiques EP"

A selection of songs from the "Ultimate Suburbia Suite Collection ~ Future Antiques" compilation (2015), selected by Hashimoto Tōru (Café Après-midi).

A1. Elis Regina / Corrida De Jangada
A2. Paige Claire / I'm Too Shy
B1. Jane Birkin / Ballade De Johnny Jane
B2. Beverly Kenney / It's A Most Unusual Day

Universal Music UIKY-75062
Out 11/3, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "Suburbia Suite; Evergreen Review EP"

A selection of songs from the "Ultimate Suburbia Suite Collection ~ Evergreen Review" compilation (2015), selected by Hashimoto Tōru (Café Après-midi).

A1. Michel Legrand / Chanson Des Jumelles
A2. Lill Lindfors / Teresa
B1. Monica Zetterlund / Speak Low
B2. Alain Romans / Quel Temps Fait-Il A Paris

Universal Music UIKY-75061
Out 11/3, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Pico "Adam to Eve mo / I Love You" (7")
Pico 「アダムとイブも / I Love You」

Single cut from Pico's album "ABC" (1972) including a different take of "I Love You". "I Love You" is also well known as having been covered by Nomoto Karia around 2001.

A. Adam to Eve mo
B. I Love You

Universal Music UPKY-9013
Out 11/3, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records

Nomiya Maki & The Shaolin Brothers "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji"