Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.29

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. Tune in at the times below at https://lafaceb.live.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.29) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on July 14 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: July 15, 2022 from 9:30 a.m.

This episode was not archived as-is, but it will be replayed at the times below:

EDT (Montréal/New York) —: Fri. July 15 at 16h30, Mon. 18 at 12h30, Tue. 19 at 8h30, Wed. 20 at 4h30, Thurs. 21 at 0h30
Japan time —: Sat. July 16 at 5h30, Tue. 19 at 1h30, Tue. 19 at 21h30, Wed. 20 at 17h30, Thurs. 21 at 13h30

Listen to the Spotify playlist of the songs played (some replaced according to Spotify availability), or scroll down this page to find music videos and individual songs, and also listen to the narration.

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes, and narration parts that you can listen to.

1. CHiLi GiRL "Kiss & Talk" (2022)

CHiLi GiRL is the new project of singer-songwriter and shamisen player Shinobu Kawashima. As CHiLi GiRL, guided by the keywords "spicy" and "charming", she creates genreless music with a touch of city pop and a special presence of her shamisen (a traditional Japanese stringed instrument) which somehow blends gently with the guitar and other instruments.

The song "Kiss & Talk" is from her first album "Mebae" (2022), out now digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: CHiLi GiRL, Gecko

2. Gecko "Fluid Tripper" (2022)

Gecko is the solo project of pianist Wataru Satō (also of band Gecko & Tokage Parade). "Fluid Tripper" is a song that was released digitally just recently, in advance of his new album "Hydro" coming on July 27. Find "Fluid Tripper" on your favorite streaming/download platform: Spotify, , YouTube Music, OTOTOY.

Another song titled "Discolor" and featuring Marina Kodama has been released in advance digitally: Spotify, , YouTube Music, OTOTOY.

3. HALLCA "Fall Back Asleep" (2021)

"Fall Back Asleep" is a recent song by HALLCA, from her 2nd album "Paradise Gate" (2021) (Spotify, , YouTube Music) released last November. "Fall Back Asleep" has music co-written by HALLCA and Blackstone Village, lyrics by HALLCA, and its arrangement is also by Blackstone Village.

Especia, the idol group of which HALLCA was the leader, did a special reunion for the group's 10th anniversary last month. The show can still be watched archived on YouTube.

HALLCA does a weekly YouTube program every Sunday from 9pm (JST), in which she always sings a few songs and also interacts with chat visitors. Subscribe to her YouTube channel where previous episodes can also be viewed.

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: HALLCA, Emiri Kanou

The two following songs are ones that I played in a DJ set at regular 80s-themed DJ event "80steps" on July 1st at Shibuya OTO, along with DJ Fukutake (who invited me) and other great DJs, some of who really DJ since the 80s. A fun bi-monthly event that I definitely recommend!

4. Emiri Kanou "1988" (2019)
(Japanese title: 加納エミリ「1988」)

"1988" is a song by singer-songwriter and arranger Emiri Kanou, from her first album "GREENPOP" (2019) (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Having started her career as a self-produced idol, Emiri now also does a lot of production work, such as Beni Usakura's new single "Passion" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), and also the arrangements of 3 songs on Machi Akari's new album "Colorful! Exciting! Pop Music!".

In terms of singing, Emiri will be part of a collaboration cover EP with Sally Kubota Group to be released on July 29, titled "Video Killed The Radio Star". Also check out Emiri's latest single "Steppin'" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) which was produced by Indonesian city pop band ikkubaru (Facebook page).

5. Magic, Drums & Love "Eyes, Hands, Height & Hair" (2020)
(Japanese title: 「君は最上級の目と手と背と毛」 "kimi wa saijōkyū no me to te to se to ke")

One more song that I felt would fit nicely in an 80s DJ set is "Eyes, Hands, Height & Hair", by Tokyo rock'n'roll band Magic, Drums & Love. It's the B-side of 7" single "Amazon Night" (2020) (still available at Amazon), also available digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Check out their latest album "Hurricane Upsetter" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Magic, Drums & Love have since also released another 7" last year, titled "Dancehall! Supreme! Shooting!" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). All of their recent music is produced by Gakuji "Chabe" Matsuda (of Learners and Neil & Iraiza).

6. microstar "Chocolate Baby" (2016)

microstar is a duo of producer Seiki Satō and singer Yūko Iizumi (aka P-chan). "Chocolate Baby" appeared on their latest and 2nd album "She's Got the Blues" (2016) (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Tokyo's Coolest Sound interviewed last year Seiki Satō and The Courettes, read it here (in English & Japanese). Seiki Satō also makes music under the name nicely nice. Check out his new album "The Adventures of Nicely Nice" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Magic, Drums & Love, microstar, Ryoma Maeda

7. Ryoma Maeda "Prelude" & "Neo Neco Dance" (2022)

To end this episode is a sequence of the two first tracks from the new mini-album of Ryoma Maeda, titled "Live At Pudokan" (2022). It's a concept album of an imaginary show by an imaginary progressive rock band. Despite being rather short, the show goes into various musical directions and has a climax of drum and guitar solos. Check it out at Bandcamp or on your favorite download/streaming platforms: Spotify, , YouTube Music.

More of Ryoma Maeda's music can be found at Bandcamp, including imaginary idol Ema Grace and his solo-project milky-chu.