Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.15

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.

Enjoy a jazzy selection of entertaining variety, vocal and instrumental, some quiet, some pop or danceable tunes.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.15) aired at http://lafaceb.live on March 24, 2021 from 22:00 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: March 25, 2021 from 11:00 a.m.

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes.

1. dahlia "Eta Carinae" (2006)

To start the show is a song by dahlia, the first track from her 2006 album "Beautiful, but Noir" (Spotify, ) which was produced by Groove Unchant. I had written a report of the release party for this album which I've always loved ever since.

Be sure to check out dahlia's latest album "Mirror" (2017, ) on which she worked with the same producer.

2. the fascinations "Fascinated Groove (la paresse...)" (2004)

the fascinations is the unit of vibraphonist Masami Watanabe. This song appears on 2nd album "the fascinations" (Amazon, HMV), and it's sung by French singer (also lyricist and composer) Pierre Barouh who passed away 5 years ago. The first time I saw the group was actually at the release party for dahlia's "Beautiful, but Noir".

Since then the fascinations have released 4 albums, of which the latest is "Green In Blue" (CDJapan). Last year, Masami suddenly released a digital EP of old demos titled "fascinated lost tracks".

3. Yuri Kirihara with Tetsuro Yafune Trio "watashi no adana" (2021)
(Japanese title: 桐原ユリ with 矢舟テツロートリオ「私のあだ名」)

Yuri Kirihara (aka Manbō) is an artist with several faces, as a solo idol, pianist and trackmaker, and recently she had teamed up as a singer with singer-songwriter and pianist Tetsurō Yafune. Backed by his trio, together they released album "Sophisticated Baby" (Spotify, ) in early March. Check out the music video for "watashi no adana" below!

A recent show of Yuri can be watched online here for ¥2800 (+ service fee ¥100) until April 5 (JST).

Tetsurō Yafune was heard playing piano in Pizzicato One's live album "The Night Before: Pizzicato One In Person" (2020, Spotify, ). The same musicians back the song "Cinderella Honeymoon" produced by Konishi Yasuharu (aka Pizzicato One) on the "Kyohei Tsutsumi Song Book" tribute album out now (Spotify).

4. Le Grand Escroc "Monsieur Diaghilev" (2014)

Le Grand Escroc is a unit by DJ Makoto Miura, which released in 2014 the concept album "Portraits" ( (World), (Japan)) of ten songs about ten Monsieurs and Misters. Here's one of them, "Monsieur Diaghilev", which is sung by Emi Necozawa and Momus (who had collaborated several times before such as in unit Mashcat). The album also featured more vocalists such as Steve Piccolo (Lounge Lizards), akiko, Gak Sato and more.

Makoto Miura has supervised a CD & book set coming on March 26 part of the "Readymade mirai no ongaku" series (all details here). Related to that, he just posted last week a video titled "On The Table #0" in which he DJs while enjoying a selection of tasty-looking plates with a boisson.

5. Shunosuke Ishikawa "On Second Thought" (2016)
(Japanese title: 石川周之助「On Second Thought」)

Shūnosuke Ishikawa is a saxophonist and flutist, but also multi-instrumentalist, who has graduated from music schools in New Orleans and Rotterdam. In 2015 he did a tour of Europe and released the album "Mind Your Step" (2015, (World), (Japan)). He's also often seen playing in various combos, and in bands such as Takeshi Nakatsuka's.

In the recent years he also released several other songs and EPs, and the song "On Second Thought" is from one of them that's titled "Can't wait for spring" ( (World), (Japan)). It's just the right time of the year to listen to it! His latest release is a cover of "Mas Que Nada" of which you can watch the music video below!

A recent show of two tenor saxophones, with Kōsuke "JAW" Kadota, can be viewed for ¥1500 (+ service fee ¥100) on Twitcasting until March 27 (JST).

6. Manaka "Vermilion" (2021)

Manaka Tanabe (Twitter, Instagram) is a skillful drummer, often seen performing in various bands such as Emiri Kanou's, Picturesque Water (with an upcoming show that can be viewed online from April 17), and Yui's Quartet (video of a recent performance). Having also studied the piano, she is also a composer and recently released a first solo EP as Manaka titled "M world" (so far only available on CD in her web shop) from which "Vermilion" is taken.

Subscribe to her YouTube channel and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

7. fox capture plan "Yakeni Sunshine feat. Emi Okamoto" (2020)
(Japanese title: fox capture plan 「やけにSUNSHINE feat. おかもとえみ」)

fox capture plan is an instrumental jazz trio formed 10 years ago, featuring Ryo Kishimoto on piano, Hidehiro Kawai on double bass and Tsukasa Inoue on drums. Last November they released their 8th album titled "Discovery" (Spotify, ), which was followed by 7" single "Kōshu-kaidō wa mō natsu nanosa / Yakeni Sunshine" (available at CDJapan, Amazon, HMV), of which both songs featured singer Emi Okamoto. Both of these songs are also available digitally with added instrumental versions: "Koshukaido wa mo natsu nanosa" () and "Yakeni Sunshine" ().

In May, a 9th album by fox capture plan titled "Nebula" will be released. Stay tuned for details later on this site!

8. Izumi Ookawara "Usual Way" (2016)
(Japanese title: 大河原泉「いつも通りの道」 / "itsumo dōri no michi")

Izumi Ookawara (Facebook page), well known as the singer of band Qypthone, otherwise performs as a solo singer, often writing her own songs. "Usual Way" is one of those, taken from digital release "Friendly Ghost" ( (World), (Japan)).

Recent news include an appearance of Qypthone on NY producer Ursula 1000's latest album Esoterique (song "Campari and Soda") (, Spotify), and also a collaboration song with P.O.P. titled "How I met you" (, Spotify).

9. Sunaga t Experience "Alvo" (2019)

Sunaga t Experience is the jazz project of DJ Tatsuo Sunaga, and it has been ongoing for about exactly 20 years now (first album "Crouka" was released in March 2001). The song "Alvo" is from the 6th and latest album "Suomenlinna" (Spotify, ), and it's sung by Emily Styler.

Recent label compilation "Playwright Library of Sounds -solo works at home- vol.2" featured a previously unreleased demo of Sunaga t Experience, as well as songs by members of fox capture plan, and many other artists of label Playwright's great line-up.

10. Takeshi Nakatsuka "Cold Passion" (2013)
(Japanese title: 中塚武「冷たい情熱」 / "tsumetai jōnetsu")

This one by Nakatsuka Takeshi is from previous-to-latest album "Lyrics" ( (Japan), Spotify). There's a music video that you can watch below.

A bandmate of Izumi Ookawara in Shibuya-kei band Qypthone, Takeshi's latest release is a collaboration 7" single with horn section band videobrother, in which they covered "TOKIO" and "Hashire Shojikimono". Find details here. Both songs are also available digitally. He also participated in the recent Pac-Man 40th anniversary compilation, and in December he arranged a single for Hoshikuzu Scat titled "Christmas kanpa".

11. Aya Nakano y Central "Yawn" (2021)
(Japanese title: なかの綾とCENTRAL 「あくび」 / Nakano Aya to Central "akubi")

To close the show is a smoother number by singer Aya Nakano backed by latin sound big band Central. It's taken from brand new album "La Vida" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) released in January. Aya and Central had also collaborated on previous album "Reverse" (2019, Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Thank you for tuning in!

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

dahlia "Beautiful, but Noir"