Tokyo's Coolest Sound

What's going on in 2023? Well, it's the 35th anniversary of the 8cm CD, also known as "Tanzaku CD" (or also 3" CD or "mini CD"), which was a very popular format for singles in Japan in the 90s. A special day was nominated to celebrate the format, appropriately named Tanzaku CD Day and being held on July 7, 2023 for the first time ever. This is accompanied by over 60 releases by all kinds of artists, and below you can find some which may especially interest Tokyo's Coolest Sound's readers. However be sure to look at the full list where there's a lot more to be found.

Beware that you may need a special adapter to play the smaller disc in regular CD players (except those designed to support them).

The Scooters "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (8cm CD)
The Scooters 「東京は夜の七時」

New recording of a cover of Pizzicato Five's hit song. Features Maki Nomiya on back vocals. It was decided to record the song after Yasuharu Konishi asked The Scooters to make their own version, though just months later their leader Mitsuo Shindō passed away (R.I.P.). Nevertheless, the recording was completed by the band, with the help of DJ Groove Unchant who made the song's demo. The single is also available on 7" (in a different shorter edit to fit the format). Each includes a download QR code.

1. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji
2. HEY GIRL
3. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (INST)
4. HEY GIRL (INST)

Vivid Sound/High Contrast HCCD-9616
Out 7/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records

Sally Kubota Group with Kōji Ryū "Romantic ga tomaranai" (8cm CD)
サリー久保田グループ with 笠浩二 「Romanticが止まらない」

CD release of the 7" released in 2021. This is said to be the last recording of Kōji Ryū (ex-C-C-B) who passed away in December 2022.

1.Romantic ga tomaranai
2.Romantic ga tomaranai nicelynice remix
3.Romantic ga tomaranai instrumental
4.Romantic ga tomaranai nicelynice remix instrumental

Sally Salsoul SKCD-001
Out 7/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Eiichi Ohtaki "shiawase na ketsumatsu" (8cm CD)
大滝詠一 「幸せな結末」

Special re-issue of the original 8cm CD release from 1997, with added instrumental versions. The original release was the only ever 8cm CD that sold over a million copies! This remastered single is also released digitally (, Spotify, OTOTOY).

1. shiawase na ketsumatsu
2. Happy End de hajimeyō
3. shiawase na ketsumatsu (Karaoke)
4. Happy End de hajimeyō (Karaoke)

niagara RECORDS SRDL-4747
Out 7/7, ¥1182 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Tetsuto Yoshida "Moonlight - Tokyo" (8cm CD)
吉田哲人 「ムーンライト・Tokyo」

Self-covers of "Moonlight - Tokyo", a song he contributed to Kai's debut EP, and WHY@DOLL's "Don't Ask Me Why".

1. Moonlight - Tokyo
2. Don't Ask Me Why
3. Moonlight - Tokyo (Backing Track)
4. Don't Ask Me Why (Backing Track)

Narisu Records NRSD-3115
Out 7/7, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Jun Parker "All Because of the Moon, and his singles" (8cm CD)

EP of 5 songs by the Australia-based singer-songwriter, including latest song "All Because of the Moon (feat. Carlinhos)" and also "Danciing in the Dark" (produced by Seiki Satō (nicely nice, Microstar)).

1. All Because of the Moon (feat. Carlinhos)
2. Dancing in the Dark
3. tsutsumarenagara (Embracement) - coastal harmony edit -
4. Say Goodbye - ballade version -
5. All Because of the Moon - instrumental -

Sello Casa Robot/Jun Parker Music ANCP-1988
Out 7/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Ikkubaru "The Man In The Mirror" (8cm CD)

Brand new songs by Indonesian city pop band Ikkubaru.

1. The Man In The Mirror
2. The Game of Love
3. The Man In The Mirror (Karaoke ver)
4. The Game of Love (Karaoke ver)

Ca Va? Records / Hayabusa Landings Inc. HYCA-8054
Out 7/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "BLUE TENTION #bt20230707" (8cm CD)

Compilation featuring Maki Nomiya (a live performance of a Kenji Ozawa cover), Swinging Popsicle, Kenichi Kurosawa (ex-L⇔R) and more.

(Title / Artist)
1. A Man of Great Promise / The Style Council
2. Tender Blues / Sugimoto Kiyotaka
3. Do you remember? / The Yearning
4. I just wanna kiss you [Mono Mix 2019] / Swinging Popsicle
5. bokura ga tabi ni deru riyū -Motion Blue Yokohama 2018 Live / Maki Nomiya
6. Rainin' In My Heart / Kenichi Kurosawa (ex.L⇔R)

miobell records PCMR-0024
Out 7/7, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

DISCOMPO with Izumi Mari "Strange Future / aimaimi-" (8cm CD)
DISCOMPO with 泉茉里 「ストレンジ・フューチャー/あいまいみー」

Two new songs by DISCOMPO, the unit led by Dr.Usui (Motocompo).

1. Strange Future
2. aimaimi-

POPLOT POPLOT-33
Out 7/7, ¥1364 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Way Wave feat. Zettai Wasureruna "Free My Soul" (8cm)
WAY WAVE feat. 絶対忘れるな 「FREE MY SOUL」

Collaboration single of soulful sisters Way Wave and rap group Zettai Wasureruna.

(Title / Artist)
1. FREE MY SOUL / WAY WAVE feat. Zettai Wasureruna
2. Summer Knit o nugasanai de / Zettai Wasureruna feat. WAY WAVE
3. FREE MY SOUL (inst)
4. Summer Knit o nugasanai de (inst)

Narisu Records NRSD-3118
Out 7/7, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Microstar "1999" (8cm CD)
マイクロスター 「1999」

Previously unreleased and newly re-recorded tracks.

1. Sweet Stupid (1999 Version)
2. Daisy Daisy (1999 Version)
3. Inner World
4. Good Luck

Vivid Sound/High Contrast HCCD-9619
Out 7/7, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Monari Wakita "Boy Friend" (8cm CD)
脇田もなり 「Boy Friend」

8cm CD edition of her 2nd solo single "Boy Friend", including a previously unreleased extended mix which was used in live shows.

1. Boy Friend
2. akai Skirt
3. Boy Friend Extended Mix
4. Boy Friend Extended Mix (INST)

Vivid Sound/High Contrast HCCD-9618
Out 7/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Michiru Hoshino "i-ji-wa-ru Darling" (8cm CD)
星野みちる 「い・じ・わ・る・ダーリン」

8cm CD edition of the early 7" single, now rare, including its bonus track and instrumentals.

1. i-ji-wa-ru Darling
2. mo, Rendez-vous (This Can Be Real)
3. i-ji-wa-ru Darling (INST)
4. mo, Rendez-vous (INST)

Vivid Sound/High Contrast HCCD-9617
Out 7/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Shiawase Hatone / Mia Nascimento "yadayada / rhythm" (8cm CD)
幸せはとね / ミアナシメント 「やだやだ / rhythm」

Split single of singer-songwriters Shiawase Hatone and Mia Nascimento (ex-Especia).

1. yadayada
2. rhythm
3. shimakaze
4. Don't stop the party

Chako Label CHKO-0301
Out 7/7, ¥1364 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Rukatama "sukisukisu-" (8cm CD)
ルカタマ 「スキスキスー」

New EP of which the title song is a cover of Fumie Hosokawa (music & lyrics written by Konishi Yasuharu). The two other songs are new originals. Sound produced by Yoshihiko Seki.

1. sukisukisu-
2. wakarazuya
3. seifuku
4. sukisukisu- (Original Karaoke)
5. wakarazuya (Original Karaoke)
6. seifuku (Original Karaoke)

Narisu Records/Sunday Girls NRSD-3112
Out 7/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

3776 Extended "ichi Fuji ni taka san nasubi" (8cm CD)
3776 Extended 「一富士二鷹三茄子」

New tracks produced by Akira Ishida.

1. ichi Fuji ni taka san nasubi
2. shichiten battō
3. ichi Fuji ni taka san nasubi [Off Vocal]

Narisu Records TNZK-3776
Out 7/7, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Akabō-san "shiawase" (8cm CD)
赤帽さん 「しあわせ」

New unit formed of Mayutan (Masakosan) and Shunsuke Uchida.

1. shiawase
2. shiawase (keiko ongen)
3. shiawase (Karaoke)

dapple DAP-011
Out 7/7, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Tokyo Kakehiki Club 「CHAU chau shichau Koigakubo」 (8cm CD)
Tokyoかけひき倶楽部 「CHAUチャウしちゃう恋ヶ窪」

Late-80s inspired unit also featuring Mayutan.

1. CHAU chau shichau Koigakubo
2. Lonely Chaplin (kimazui futari no... Ver.)
3. CHAU chau shichau Koigakubo (Karaoke Ver.)

dapple DAP-012
Out 7/7, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Tanqun "Tea Party Party!" (8cm CD)
たんきゅん 「ティーパーティーパーティー！」

Re-issue of Tanqun's 2nd single . Tanqun was a unit formed of Mayutan and Takurō Gō (detune). Mitsuo Shindō did the art direction of the jacket and music video.

1. Tea Party Party!
2. kuroneko no Tango
3. jikosho☆
4. Tea Party Party! (Karaoke Ver.)
5. jikosho☆ (Karaoke Ver.)

Sakuraume Seitokai SUS-002R
Out 7/7, ¥909 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

OCHA∞ME "ageless c/w sweet strawberry toast (esrevnoc cover)" (8cm CD)

New EP of band OCHA∞ME, including a new song, a new esrevnoc cover, a different mix of "Heart ga mapputatsu" (of which the original appeared on recent mini-album "Heart Express"), and a new remix.

1. ageless
2. sweet strawberry toast (Original Song by esrevnoc)
3. Heart ga mapputatsu ayU tokiO Detroit Mix (Original Song by Kasagi Shinobu)
4. omake Heart Express Remix by Sunaga Michiru a.k.a sunaga Michill

COMPLEX AICP-037
Out 7/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

FLASHLIGHTS "GHOST RIDER" (8cm CD)

7" version of "Ghost Rider" (song which appeared on latest album "Keep On Dancing"), and new mix of "Night with you" (song from album "On The Wild Side").

1. Ghost Rider
2. Night with you

Hello From The Gutter HFTG-106
Out 7/7, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

ayU tokiO "Family Contents" (8cm CD)
ayU tokiO 「ファミリイ・コンテンツ」

Two recent songs and two new versions.

1. Family Contents (8cm mix)
2. heiwa
3. heart (re:produced by hammerlabel)
4. kugatsu no ame (re:produced by Isobe Satoru)

COMPLEX AICP-035
Out 7/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Dekkachan "Melty Love" (8cm CD)
デッカチャン 「Melty Love」

Comedian Dekkachan covers Shazna's "Melty Love", and his own song "sho ga nai" with re-recorded vocals. "Melty Love" was arranged by Tron with bass played by Sogatch (both of Seijaku In Tokyo).

1. Melty Love
2. shō ga nai ~Melty Melty Cheese Mix~
3. Melty Love (Non Vocal Version)
4. shō ga nai ~Melty Melty Cheese Mix~ (Non Vocal Version)

Dodeka Records DEKKA-1976
Out 7/7, ¥909 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.