Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.9

This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these pages. If you couldn't tune in at the times below, or to listen once more, you can still listen anytime on Mixcloud.

This time is a selection of songs with either new wave sounds or influences, or otherwise with an arrangement that might surprise along the way. Happy listening! Read on below to learn about each song and artist.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.9) aired at http://lafaceb.live on September 23, 2020 from 22:00 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: September 24, 2020 from 11:00 (a.m.).

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes.

1. Masakosan "10cm no kujira" (1993)
(Japanese title: マサ子さん「10cmの鯨」 "jussenchi no kujira")

The show starts with Masakosan (Discogs), a unique band featuring sisters Mayutan and Sabrina (the "Ma" and "Sa" in the band's name) among others, and released from the famous indie label Nagomu Records in the early '90s. This song is from their album "Monkeys Wax". Masakosan's music isn't widely available, but luckily mini-album "Moo = Misa" (1990) can be found on iTunes worldwide.

Mayutan's latest works include unit ammakasie noka's "Little Ghost House" (2019, CDJapan, Amazon), and Mint-Lee noka's beautiful picture 7" "bokura wa zutto ikiteiru / haenuki yorinuki ongakutai (2019, Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon).

Also just recently Mayutan participated in a remote session with hi-posi's Miho Moribayashi in promotion of hi-posi's rarities album "hi-posi Cassette", and two songs can be seen on YouTube: "dangomushi no uta" and "boku de aritai".

2. Novko Hasebe "The ondo" (2000)
(Japanese title: ハセベノヴコ「The ondo」)

This song is by Novko Hasebe, who played keyboards and composed in mid-'90s band Modern Choki Chokies, one of my favorite bands ever. This song is from her solo mini-album "Pandaman" (Artist official shop "Kumazasa Shōkai", Tower Records). It also features Isoda Osamu, guitarist of Moda-choki and also Novko's husband. (Don't miss hearing one of Osamu's solo songs later in the show!)

Members of Modern Choki Chokies had planned a return on stage this September, under the name Kindai Hasami Dan (近代鋏団), but sadly the show had to be canceled. In compensation, the band will post a video on YouTube on September 25 at 19:15 (JST) when the show was supposed to be held. It will be viewable only until October 31, 2020 at 19:15 (JST). Find details and a countdown clock at Tokyo's Coolest Sound's Live streaming information.

3. (M)otocompo "Detective 2016" (2016)

(M)otocompo (read "otocompo"), the ska-electro unit led by Dr.Usui (ex-Motocompo), disbanded this spring making room for Dr.Usui's new project DISCOMPO. A favorite in their live shows, this song is a special version of "Detective" recorded with (M)otocompo as a band, and included on album "POPLOT TIMES 2016" (OTOTOY, CDJapan, Amazon), a split-album with new wave girl trio Kit Cat. "Detective" was originally performed by Motocompo and first heard on their album "Krackerjack Party" (2000).

DISCOMPO with Izumi Mari has just released a brand new song on YouTube, titled "rinkaku". It's the theme song of short film "DISCOMPO" directed by member Nakama Norihisa (also of The Aprils). There's two more songs by DISCOMPO up on YouTube: "Boys, Boys, Boys....." and "Another Century".

4. CTO LAB. "hitogomi no naka no obake dōshi" (2018)
(Japanese title: CTO LAB. 「人ごみの中のおばけ同士」)

This one is from CTO LAB.'s latest album "Beyond The Box" (Spotify, ). "hitogomi no naka no obake dōshi" is a self-cover of member Okada Tohru (also of moonriders), song which first appeared on his solo album "Portraiture of T" (2016, , OTOTOY).

CTO LAB. is a supergroup formed of Okada Tohru (moonriders), polymoog (Elektel) and Imai Kentarō (The Aprils). With a meaning of "Compact Techno Organization", their concept is to use nothing but small synths and gadget instruments.

5. Chiroline ver.2 "Post! Post! Post!" (2012)
(Japanese title: 新・チロリン Shin-Chirorin 「Post! Post! Post」)

Chiroline ver.2 (and later ver.3) was a renewed project of techno-pop unit Chiroline (active in 1986 and 1987) but featuring new young members. Produced by Okada Tohru (moonriders), the project also featured arrangements by members of CTO LAB. The song "Post! Post! Post" was written by Temma Matsunaga of Urbangarde.

Chiroline ver.2 released album "Chit Chat Chiroline" (2012, , OTOTOY), on which appears "Post! Post! Post!", and then mini-album "Forever Chiroline-zaka" (2013, OTOTOY), and following a member change Chiroline ver.3 released another mini-album titled "Last Pajama Party" (2015, , OTOTOY).

6. Bakubaku Dokin "Darara" (2018)
(Japanese title: バクバクドキン「ダララ」)

Bakubaku Dokin is a unit of two girls, Yui and Naoko, whose music is always fun and surprising. The song "Darara" was released only as a 7" single (Jet Set, HMV).

Be sure to check out their brand new song "Hotter Than Havana" (Spotify, ) of which you can watch the music video below.

7. Mira Parameter "Skirt no naka no shiro" (2017)
(Japanese title: ミラパラメーター「スカートの中の城」)

Mira Parameter is a singer-songwriter who is also a tarot fortuneteller. In her first album "Reborn" (OTOTOY, CDJapan, Amazon), in which "Skirt on naka no shiro" can be heard, she crafted the songs one note at a time on her computer, evolving them into complex yet beautiful pieces.

After releasing a digital single titled "Phantasmagoria" (Spotify, ) at the end of 2019, this year she surprised again with an album release as piano trio ○△□ (Marusankakushikaku) titled "Hoshi Ga Furu" (Spotify, ) in which she re-arranged some songs from "Reborn" as well as including several new songs.

8. Frenesi "Die-in" (2012)
(Japanese title: フレネシ「ダイ・イン」)

This song is from the latest full-length original album of Frenesi, titled "Gendai" (Spotify, ).

Since "Gendai", Frenesi released an album of early and rare works titled "Dolphino" (2013) (Spotify, ), after which she went on hiatus at the end of 2014. Last year she contributed a song to band SOLEIL ("Anachronic Girl" on album "Lollipop Sixteen"), and since April this year she has been participating in a project that has resulted in virtual singer idol Misazaki Honoha.

9. Emiri Kanou "Moonlight" (2019)
(Japanese title: 加納エミリ「Moonlight」)

Self-produced idol Emiri Kanou released last year a great first album titled "GREENPOP" (Spotify, ), on which "Moonlight" appeared.

Although Emiri announced going on hiatus last April, she is already back to pursue making music at her own pace. A brand new song titled "Asaninare" will be released digitally on September 25 (teaser clip), and then on October 6 she will perform a streaming live show backed by a full band (find details and tickets here).

10. Kai "Moonlight - Tokyo" (2019)
(Japanese title: カイ「ムーンライト・ Tokyo」)

Idol Kai has released since last year two wonderful mini-albums, "Moonlight Tokyo" (Spotify, ) and "Paper Diamond" (Spotify, ), featuring producers such as Yoshida Tetsuto and Suzuki Keiichi (moonriders). This is the title song of her first solo mini-album, an original techno-kayō track written and produced by Yoshida Tetsuto (a co-selector of the famous "Techno-Kayo" compilation series in the late '90s). The song was also released on 7" for Record Day 2016.

Although usually a bit camera-shy, there will be a rare and last opportunity to watch her perform live on September 27, when her last show will be held and streamed online. Find details and ticket information here.

11. FINAL SPANK HAPPY "NICE CUT" (2019)

Final Spank Happy is the latest (not to say "final") incarnation of what started with unit Spank Happy (first formed in 1992), a unit led by Kikuchi Naruyoshi who is well known also for his jazz projects such as DCPRG (aka Date Course Pentagon Royal Garden).

Final Spank Happy features himself as Boss the NK and also acolyte OD (aka Oda Tomomi of CRCK/LCKS, DCPRG). The song "Nice Cut" is the opening track of their album "mint exorcist" (Spotify, ) released in October last year.

12. nakayoshi group "Haru no Arashi" (2013)

nakayoshi group is a band characterized by deep and low vocals. This song comes from their first mini album "The Jesus vs Cheatman" (Spotify, ), which was released on 80kidz' PARK label. For those who can't get enough, an early EP can also be found on Bandcamp.

Their music videos are also mesmerizing art pieces in themselves. Watch the one for "Haru no Arashi" below, directed by VIDEOTAPEMUSIC. Find the one for "Psycho Drastic Kiss" on YouTube.

13. Isoda Osamu "midori no omoi" (2005)
(Japanese title: 磯田オサム「みどりの想い」)

Guitarist Isoda Osamu was also a member of Modern Choki Chokies (like his wife Novko Hasebe heard early in the show) in the '90s, since which he has made music for a large number of plays such as kids-oriented play "Ping Pong" produced by tupera tupera, which has been shown in many cities in Japan (and even abroad). He has also made several solo tracks and released two solo CD-Rs. The latest is "Avant Nurd Additional Volume" which includes "midori no omoi" (official shop "Kumazasa Shōten").

As mentioned above, members of Modern Choki Chokies have announced a special treat YouTube on September 25 at 19:15 (JST) (and viewable until October 31, 2020). Find details and a countdown clock at Tokyo's Coolest Sound's Live streaming information.

14. Francis avec HARUKO "Stardust" (2017)
(Japanese title: ハルコとフランシス「星屑」 Haruko to Francis "hoshikuzu")

Francis avec Haruko is the collaboration unit of Francis (aka bassist Ori Makoto) and new wave gyaru Haruko Tajima. The song "Stardust" is from their first mini-album "Jamón, jamón" (Bandcamp, Spotify, ). Since this they have released mini-album "Zero Gravity Love" (Bandcamp, Spotify, ), and also a cover of Virna Lindt's "Wild Strawberries" (Bandcamp).

Francis is currently working on a new album (he was recently shooting a music video!), while Haruko has been dropping regular singles (check out her YouTube channel).

Thanks for tuning in!

Find previous radio shows right here. You can also listen directly and follow on Mixcloud.

Below are videos of songs and artists featured in this radio show.

hi-posi Miho Moribayashi & Mayutan "boku de aritai"