Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Japan United with Music "All You Need Is Love" (CD+DVD)

2012-02-01T13:59:40Z

Led by Sakamoto Ryūichi, this charity single covers The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love" in an electronic arrangement, and featuring some 30 big names participating on vocals and production. Profits are said to be donated for children victims of the earthquake.

Those include the three of Yellow Magic Orchestra (Takahashi Yukihiro, Hosono Haruomi and Sakamoto himself), Bonnie Pink, Verbal (m-flo), 4 members of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Yashiki Gōta (Mute Beat, Melon), Salyu, Imai Miki, Koizumi Kyōko, Hotei Tomoyasu,... just to name a few.

This will also be released on CD on March 7, including a DVD of the music video, but the song is already available in advance on iTunes Japan. Preview it below.

Japan United with Music "All You Need Is Love" (CD+DVD)

1. All You Need Is Love

AYNIL Production Committee XNAP-00001
Out 3/7, ¥1575
Order: Amazon (18% off), HMV (10% off), Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan

"All You Need Is Love"

Moonriders "moonriders Live at Mielparque Tokyo Hall 2011.05.05 'hi no tama Boy Concert'"

2012-01-22T15:00:00Z

The Moonriders have officially retired indefinitely at the end of 2011. Here's a 2-CD live album of a special concert held in Tokyo on May 5 last year to celebrate the band's 35th anniversary.

Moonriders "moonriders Live at Mielparque Tokyo Hall 2011.05.05 'hi no tama Boy Concert'"
ムーンライダーズ「moonriders LIVE at MIELPARQUE TOKYO HALL 2011.05.05 "火の玉ボーイコンサート"」

1. daisan no shokutaku ~ machigawanasa ~ Poincaré yosō
2. miwaku no minato
3. ano ko no Love Letter
4. sukanpin
5. yoidore Dance Music
6. hi no tama Boy
7. gogo no kifujin
8. chichūkai chihō no tenki yohō
9. Ramutei no mama
10. Wedding Song
11. miwaku no minato
12. kami to kuchibeni to Balcony
13. Ramutei no Theme
14. hotaru no hikari
15. hamabe no uta

Moon Riders Records XPCA-1016
Out 1/25, ¥3800
Order: Amazon, Tower, HMV, CDJapan, YesAsia

Urbangarde "Propaganda Video 2012" (DVD)

2012-01-20T15:23:57Z

Trauma techno-pop unit Urbangarde has a first DVD coming, which contains all of their numerous video clips from their indies days to now, plus various previously unseen footage.

A one-man live show will be held at Shibuya AX on March 20.

Urbangarde "Propaganda Video 2012" (DVD)
アーバンギャルド「プロパガンダヴィデオ2012」

A.D.SIDE.
Skirt kakumei
datenshi Pop
kodomo no renai (2012 Edit)
tokimeki ni shisu (2012 Edit)
sono shōjo, ningyō ni tsuki

B.C.SIDE.
shūsei shugisha
Sailor fuku o nuganai de
mizutama byō
Commercial Song
4gatsu sensō
Concrete Girl
koi o shi ni iku
Lovecraft no sekai
kizudarake no Maria (OFF AIR ver.)
Print Club (OFF AIR ver.)
koi o shi ni iku (afternoon ver.)
momoiro Chronicle (ending roll)

Bonus tracks
datenshi Pop (BAND Performance ver.)
ouchi de dekiru! Urban Dance Lesson (mizutama byō, onna no ko sensō, Robot to watashi)
osoto de dekiru! Urban Dance Lesson (Skirt kakumei, tokimeki ni shisu, Vagabond, Virgin)

Universal UPBH-1301
Out 1/25, ¥3900
Order: Amazon (26% off), HMV (15% off), Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan

TV commercial

Various Artists "SUNAGA Tatsuo no yoru Jazz digs Venus Jazz Opus IV"

2012-01-20T12:54:49Z

For a 4th month in a row here's another compilation selected by Sunaga Tatsuo, of songs from the catalog of Japanese jazz label Venus Records which releases works by foreign artists.

Tracks of the previous installments can be sampled on the label's site by choosing a CD and clicking the track titles.

Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz digs Venus Jazz Opus IV"
オムニバス「須永辰緒の夜ジャズ digs Venus Jazz Opus Ⅳ」

(Title / Artist)
1. Sayonara Blues / David Hazeltine Trio
2. Afro Blue / Eric Alexander Quartet
3. Fly Me To The Moon / Nicki Parrott
4. Two Love Birds / Simone Kopmajer
5. Road Song / Dan Nimmer Trio
6. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To / Barney Wilen
7. I'm A Fool To Want You / Brian Lynch Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra
8. Blue For You / Adela Dalto
9. My Favorite Things / Harold Mabern Trio
10. Speak Low / Bill Crow Quartet
11. Ugetsu / One For All
12. NO.1 Gymnopedie No.1 / Steve Kuhn Trio

Venus Records VHCD-01066
Out 1/21, ¥1980
Order: Amazon, HMV , YesAsia, CDJapan, Tower (Japan only)

Various Artists "Ryuichi SAKAMOTO Tribute"

2012-01-14T16:13:12Z

Here's a tribute album to Sakamoto Ryūichi, produced by Tobeta Bajune and featuring plenty of great electronic artists such as Atom, MimiCof, DJ Yogurt and more. A cover of "dennōgiwa" also features Ōnuki Taeko.

The album is released on Sakamoto's 60th birthday, and comes from the electric sheep label that released "YMO Rewake" last year.

Various Artists "Ryuichi Sakamoto Tribute"
オムニバス「坂本龍一トリビュート -Ryuichi Sakamoto Tribute-」

(Title / Artist)
1. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence / Tobeta Bajune
2. War and Peace / yuanyuan
3. Riot in Lagos / Atom (Atom Heart)
4. Perticepation Mistique / Hanno Yoshihiro
5. bibō no aozora / Ngatari
6. Self Portrait / Fugenn & The White Elephants and Shintaro Aoki
7. Ballet Mecanique / MimiCof
8. 1919 / Sabi
9. saru to yuki to gomi no kodomo / antennasia
10. Thatness and Thereness / DJ Yogurt
11. Tibetan Dance / no.9
12. The Last Emperor / Sabi
13. The Other Side Of Love (feat. Cokiyu) / Tobeta Bajune
14. dennōgiwa (feat. Ōnuki Taeko) / Tobeta Bajune

electric sheep ELSP-0011
Out 1/17, ¥2800
Order: Amazon, HMV , Tower (Japan only)

Sampler clip

Gig report: Kyarypamyupamyu in-store live at Tower Records Shinjuku

2012-01-13T13:17:18Z

Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Tonight I dropped by Tower Records in Shinjuku for a free in-store live by Kyarypamyupamyu, in promotion for her first single "tsukematsukeru" out this week! It was my first time seeing her.

Tower Records' 7th floor was more packed than I've seen it at any event before, I believe. I estimate there must have been some 500 people in there! I saw some people waving from almost as far as the large information counter at the other end of the floor! Poor staff struggled to keep free a narrow corridor for people to be able to enter the store... and also to prevent people from taking photos.

Kyary was accompanied by two energetic male dancers wearing colorful short pants, tiny tops and wigs, making Kyary look almost normal in a pinkish red dress (photo she posted on Twitter). I stood about 10 meters from the stage and could barely see her face directly once in a while, but thanks to the large screen above the stage everyone could watch the cute choreography.

]]> The show opened with Kyary's march, the intro of first mini-album "moshimoshi Harajuku" and enchained with "Cherry Bonbon", still my favorite song so far. Kyary looked very cute and was all smiles for the vast audience of fans.

She then talked a little bit, about how the song "tsukematsukeru" was provoked by an email exchange with producer Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) in which she told him she had been into using fake eyelashes. Nakata liked the sequence of words she used, and the next day she was called into studio for recording the song! She also did a hint of promotion for orange taste i-lohas water, I wouldn't be surprised to see her on a commercial for it sometime soon..!

The show went on with "PONPONPON" to close with "tsukematsukeru", clocking in at about 20 minutes.Then followed a handshake session for everyone who had bought her CD, though I gave up since it was probably going to take an hour or more.

Set list: Kyary no March / Cherry Bonbon / PONPONPON / tsukematsukeru

The new single contains 3 good tracks produced by hit-maker Nakata Yasutaka, including an extended version of "Cherry Bonbon". The limited edition at first looks like a small magazine, but it's made of thick paper that unfolds revealing fun and surprising photos of the girl in crazy outfits.

If I could have shook her hand I'd have given her a word of encouragement for her singing career. I'm definitely looking forward to what's to follow this year!

Live information:
Kyarypamyupamyu will hold her first one-man live on February 25 at Club Quattro in Shibuya. Tickets go on sale on February 4 at 10:00 (Lawson 79174, Pia 154-955).

"tsukematsukeru"

"PONPONPON"

Gig report: Tokyo Outbound vol.02, with CTO LAB., Open Reel Ensemble, etc.

2012-01-11T14:36:45Z

Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Last Saturday was event "Tokyo Outbound vol.02" at Koenji High, presented by CTO LAB. and Otona no kagaku, a popular magazine that always comes with something that you can build yourself (even down to a theremin, small synthesizer SX-150, the Arudino computer, etc.). CTO LAB makes its music mainly using small instruments (therefore the name which stands for "Compact Techno Organization"), making this a perfect match.

This time featured aside from CTO LAB were Open Reel Ensemble, and many mini-live acts. Start time was a bit early and I got there late, unfortunately missing a mini-live by trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde.

The first I caught was Hitorimisaki who played two songs, the 2nd for which he was joined by singer Ruby. Next was band of three little moa, who played quiet electric tracks with female vocals. They gave away a 2-song demo CD-R. Next on stage was Tenorierie, who had also played at the previous event. She played a similar set of songs all sequenced on her Tenorion.

Hitorimisaki feat. Ruby, little moa, Tenorierie

]]> The event being presented by Otona no kagaku, there were a few corners with demonstrations of the ready-to-build instruments or toys that are included in the magazine. There was also a unit of two guys, named sharin no saihatsumei (means "Reinventing the wheel") who made electronic music including various small synthesizers, Japanino (Arduino) computers, using screwdrivers to tweak tiny knobs.

Otona no kagaku rep., sharin no saihatsumei

Then came Open Reel Ensemble, a performance unit that uses several large open reel tape recorders to make live music. They record on stage using various instruments, and then play and scratch the recorded sounds. As I often played with one of those tape recorders when I was little, their great show brings a lot of nostalgia to me. This time within the set they did a minimal session where they used only guitar and the tape recorders, playing along with the event's do-it-yourself theme. The show used live instruments such as guitar, bass, percussions, pianica, a vacuum cleaner, and the members' voices as sampling sources, soon being sequenced live into upbeat tracks.

Open Reel Ensemble

While the next band was setting up, Uda Michinobu did an intermission presenting his unique instrument, the Udar which produces a beautiful sound (hear it in a clip below). It's still a prototype, always getting more sophisticated. The latest version (4.4) stopped using MIDI and instead has its original sound that can change depending on velocity. He played the theme of game Mother, written by the Moonriders. There's a plan for Otona no kagaku to release a more compact version of the Udar with its magazine sometime this year. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

UDA Michinobu

Last up was CTO LAB.! As you probably know already it's the super-unit of polymoog (Elektel), Imai Kentarō (The Aprils) and Okada Tōru (The Moonriders). They played a fun set as usual, this time including a new song made for a game to be released later this year. Two dancers from unit Genius also appeared at the beginning and end of the show, and there was a collaboration with Udar for a cover of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile". Also Okada-san revealed during the show that he's really the one behind the nickname Thomas O'hara, responsible for the Hatsune Miku cover album of the Moonriders out recently.

CTO LAB.

Set list: C.DISCO (with dancers from Genius) / itoko dōshi (Moonriders cover) / One More Thing / Smile (Charlie Chaplin cover with Udar) / New song for game / Flashback
Encore: A Space Odyssey / Crash Bandicoot (with dancers from Genius)

Here's looking forward to more of the Tokyo Outbound series!

Larger sizes and more photos at Flickr

Live information:
Urbangarde - Jan. 14 at Kichijoji Planet K
Steam Blue Project (members of Open Reel Ensemble) - Jan. 17 at Daikanyama haretara sora ni mame maite
CTO LAB. - Jan. 19 at Shibuya Star Lounge, with spoon+, Cutie Pai, etc.

Open Reel Ensemble (live clip from 2009)

CTO LAB. "C.DISCO" (live clip from 2009 show)

Uda Michinobu "Down by the Salley Gardens"

sharin no saihatsumei (live at Tokyo Outbound #02)

tokyo pinsalocks "Hallelujah Girls"

2012-01-10T14:19:41Z

New wave/post-rock band tokyo pinsalocks has a new album out just now! This is produced by Miura Shunichi of Kera & The Synthesizers.

Two tracks can be sampled at MySpace. Also, recent non-album track "Salon de Tokyo (remixed by miurashun)" can be downloaded for free at Diesel:U:Music.

tokyo pinsalocks can be caught live in Tokyo on Valentine's day (Feb. 14) at Sangenjaya Heaven's Door, opening bands include (M)otocompo and Merpeoples.

tokyo pinsalocks "Hallelujah Girls"
tokyo pinsalocks 「ハレルヤガールズ」

1. [NUDE]
2. Swimming Girl
3. NO Camouflage
4. YOU->I
5. Unlucky doughnuts
6. Attention Please
7. Lula Hallelujah

Kimono DDCH-2329
Out now (1/11), ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV , Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan

HIRADO Yūsuke "Speak Own Words"

2012-01-07T16:18:13Z

Hirado Yūsuke is the pianist and leader of jazz band quasimode. Here's a first solo album that features appearances of bird, Hatakeyama Miyuki (Port of Notes) and more. Included are covers of Amy Winehouse, Burt Bacharach, Carole King among others, and also originals such as lead track "umaretate no Melody" that features singer bird (see video below).

Some songs can be sampled on the official release page (click the buttons next to song titled).

A show will be held at Blue Note Tokyo on January 29 (also at Billboard Live Osaka on Jan. 26, and Blue Note Nagoya on Jan. 27).

Hirado Yusuke "Speak Own Words"
平戸祐介「Speak Own Words」

1. Taxi Driver Theme
2. umaretate no Melody feat. bird
3. I'm In Love
4. Against The Invisible Wall feat. Tomoki Seto (Cradle Orchestra)
5. And Far Away
6. A House Is Not A Home feat. Motoharu (Soil & "Pimp" Sessions)
7. Down To The South
8. Love Will Bring Us Back Together Feat. mabanua
9. Spectrum
10. No More Sadness (Solo Piano Version)
11. Music feat. Hatakeyama Miyuki
12. Love Is A Losing Game

EMI TOCT-28029
Out 1/11, ¥2800
Order: Amazon, HMV , Tower (Japan only), CDJapan

"umaretate no Melody feat. bird"

Various Artists "01:11"

2012-01-07T04:22:34Z

Japanese electro label PROGRESSIVE FOrM has a first label greatest hits compilation coming that covers from the label start in 2001, hence the title of "01:11" (reads "one eleven"). Included are tracks by MimiCof, Aoki Takamasa (one song featuring Tujiko Noriko), and many more.

Several now-rare tracks are included, the whole at a nice price. Check out the sampler clip below.

Various Artists "01:11"

1. Ryoichi Kurokawa / Sea In You
2. Ametsub / Lichen with Piano
3. Aoki takamasa / Pipe Tale - Indigo Rose feat. Tujiko Noriko
4. RADIQ aka Yoshihiro Hanno / Till The Dawn feat. Damiana Terry
5. Shuta Hasunuma / Exchange Groove
6. MimiCof / Pulled Up (Serph Remix)
7. Nao Tokui / Pan Pacific
8. Caelum / Kyrie (Exclusive Mix)
9. Pleq / Good Night (Go-qualia Lucid Dreamin Non Rem Sleep Mix)
10. 30506 / VVV
11. Fugenn & The White Elephants / Narcissus
12. eater / Schoolyard
13. Aoki takamasa / Kes.
14. Ametsub / Sahsanoha

PROGRESSIVE FOrM PFCD-29
Out 1/11, ¥1575
Order: Amazon, HMV , Tower (Japan only)

Album trailer

Gig report: Sally Soul Stew and The Fave Raves

2012-01-06T14:30:30Z

Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound

The last show I went to in 2011, on December 28, was one organized by Sally Soul Stew, band of bassist Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift). I had been to their previous show last May, also held at Shinjuku Red Cloth.

The opening band was The Fave Raves, led by singer Aoyama Haruhiro. I realized only later that this band has been around for a long time, since around 1990, though they had a 9-year hiatus on the way. The band mostly covers U.S. soul classics, and the singer has a great voice and presence that's best experienced live. This time they the band was supported by soul chorus trio The Favelettes and also trumpet and saxophone, taking the audience right back to the 60's.

The Fave Raves

]]> The show opened with ~~"I Found A Love"~~ Al Green's "L-O-V-E (LOVE)", and I already felt like that they gave it all right from the beginning, wondering how they could keep this up for the rest of the show. But it continued with a full set of great songs one after another, until the show closed with a powerful 2-song homage to J. Blackfoot, who just passed away last November. The ending was perfect and left me with a tear in my eye.

Set list (partial): L-O-V-E (LOVE) (Al Green) / Let's Stay Together (Al Green) / If I Could Reach Out (Otis Clay) / Mustang Sally (Mack Rice) / Super Soul (J. Blackfoot) / Taxi (J. Blackfoot)

The stage's garage door curtain came down for the next band to set up while DJ Jimmy Mashiko spinned. Sally Soul Stew had the same members as last time: Nakayama Tsutomu (Hammond organ), Nakamori Yasuhiro (guitar, from Hicksville), Shirane Kenichi (drums, from GREAT3), and vocalists Mashiro Megumi (Hicksville) and Lemon (Wack Wack Rhythm Band, also part of The Favelettes above).

Their repertory also had many songs in common with last time. There were also several new covers that I couldn't pick up the names of, and maybe a new song. Again I had a great time hearing these songs played by these great musicians. Mashiro Megumi's talk is also always funny, sometimes asking Sally a question out of the blue.

Sally Soul Stew

Set list (partial): Golden Cup (original) / Boy and Girl (Wada Akiko) / I Can't Keep From Crying (The Blues Project) / Bye Bye Adam (Wada Akiko) / anata dake de ii (Sawada Kenji) / New song ? / hitori no kanashimi (Zoo Nee Voo) / anata ni maketa no (Koyama Rumi)
sekai wa boku no ryōte ni (The Tempters)

The band came back for an encore and called The Fave Raves' singer and The Favelettes on stage to perform Ray Charles' "What'd I Say".

A great show, and a nice way to end the year! Goodbye 2011.

Larger sizes and more photos at Flickr

The Fave Raves "I Found A Love"

A lot more of The Fave Raves' live shows can be found on YouTube.

NOMIYA Maki "30 ~Greatest Self Covers & More!!!~"

2012-01-02T04:00:56Z

Let's start 2012 with a bang! Finally here's a new album by Nomiya Maki! This time she celebrates 30 years of her singing career by doing self-covers in collaboration with various other artists. Featured are Cornelius, Kaji Hideki, Takahashi Yukihiro, DJ Fumiya (Rip Slyme), Kuchiroro, Suzuki Keiichi & Sokabe Keiichi, Your Song Is Good and more. Also included are a few new songs: one produced by Towa Tei, used recently in a TV commercial for drink Soysh, and a bonus track performed by Maki's 80's band Portable Rock! Intro and outro tracks are produced by Rekishi (ex-Super Butter Dog).

A special site has been opened for the release. Don't miss the video for "Superstar"!

A premium show will be held on March 19 at Shibuya O-East. That's almost exactly 11 years since Pizzicato Five's last show at the same place (I was there!). All details at Tokyo Gig Guide.

An LP edition of this album seems to also be planned for March. Details will be posted when available.

Nomiya Maki "30 ~Greatest Self Covers & More!!!~"
野宮真貴「30 ～Greatest Self Covers & More!!!～」

1. Maki no rekishi / Produced by Rekishi
2. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (The night is still young) / Produced by DJ Fumiya (Rip Slyme)
3. watashi no shiranai watashi / Produced by Towa Tei
4. Baby Portable Rock / Produced by Hyadain
5. Superstar / Produced by Miyavi
6. Sweet Soul Revue / Produced by Daishi Dance
7. Magic Carpet Ride / Produced by Cornelius
8. Twiggy Twiggy / Produced by Kuchiroro
9. minna waratta (They all laughed) / Produced by Takahashi Yukihiro
10. usagi to watashi / Produced by Suzuki Keiichi & Sokabe Keiichi
11. kanashii uta (Triste) / Produced by Ōhashi Trio
12. Message Song / Produced by Kaji Hideki
13. hi no ataru ōdōri (On the sunny side of the street) / Produced by Your Song Is Good
14. Maki no yabō / Produced by Rekishi
15. Sweet Renaissance / Performed by Portable Rock

Sony AICL-2343
Out 1/25, ¥3059
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, YesAsia, CDJapan

Soysh TV commercial "watashi no shiranai watashi"

Vanilla Beans "toki no kakera"

2011-12-30T13:17:13Z

Vanilla Beans will have a new single released in January! This adds a rare (first?) minor scale song to their repertory with title track "toki no kakera", which can be seen performed in the clip below from a recent morning TV show.

The single comes in two editions ("Rena" and "Lisa"), each with a different jacket, but also with a different cover of songs by Yamashita Kumiko. Rena sings "hoshi ni natta uso" (YouTube) and Lisa "Stop Stop Rock'n'Roll" (YouTube), and each sings chorus on the other's. Which will you choose?

Vanilla Beans "toki no kakera"
バニラビーンズ「トキノカケラ」

Rena ver.
1. toki no kakera
2. Yes? No?
3. hoshi ni natta uso
4. toki no kakera (Instrumental)
5. Yes? No? (Instrumental)

T-Palette Records TPRC-0007
Out 1/18, ¥1000
Order: Tower, Amazon, HMV, CDJapan

Lisa ver.
1. toki no kakera
2. Yes? No?
3. Stop Stop Rock'n'Roll
4. toki no kakera (Instrumental)
5. Yes? No? (Instrumental)

T-Palette Records TPRC-0008
Out 1/18, ¥1000
Order: Tower, Amazon, HMV, CDJapan

"toki no kakera" (from TV show Ulala78 (Tokyo MX), December 14, 2011)

Scott Goes For "Scott Goes For"

2011-12-30T12:19:11Z

Scott Goes For is a new band started in 2010, though you might already know its experienced members from their previous bands: Arai Hitoshi (from N.G.Three, Ron Ron Clou, The Automatics, Northern Bright) on vocals and guitar, Okii Reiji (from Frog, Cymbals) on bass, Sakaki Makoto (from Nudge'Em All) on guitar, and Hara "Gen" Hideki (from Northern Bright) on drums.

Beyond names, it's said that the band's melodies should be able to please Shibuya-kei fans, while being a bit punkish in sound. HMV has audio samples of several tracks.

Scott Goes For "Scott Goes For"

1. Seventeen
2. Take Enough Time
3. THE CLOWN
4. Red Balloon Song
5. Together
6. Days of America
7. Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) (Christpher Cross cover)
8. DRILLS
9. BIG TIME
10. Crazy Lazy Summer

Pacific Label LDCD-50084
Out 1/18, ¥2600
Order: HMV, Amazon, Tower, CDJapan, YesAsia

"Take Enough Time"

SHINOHARA Tomoe "-:Better:-"

2011-12-29T14:58:07Z

Shinohara Tomoe has not one but two new albums coming! Both are original, all written, programmed, produced and illustrated by herself. It has been 13 years since her previous original album, "Dream & Machine".

The 2nd new album, "-:*Oh Yes Say LaLa*:- ", is planned for release on February 22. Special site tomoeshinohara.jp has been opened.

Shinohara Tomoe "-:*Better*:-"
篠原ともえ「-:*Better*:-」

1. *Better*
2. ~Night & Day~
3. . Point .
4. CoN TeM pOrAry
5. - Another Story -
6. .:*Waterman*:.
7. ! BABY BABY BABY !
8. ++ KiMi Wa Moon ++

Voicing
Out 1/11, ¥1600
Order: Amazon

Sampler clip:

The Aprils "Magical Girls"

2011-12-26T13:35:22Z

Here's a brand new release from The Aprils coming early January! 2 years have went by since "Back To The Future Music", and this time the band adds a touch of magic to its future-pop post-Shibuya-kei sound.

With 4 new songs and 4 new remixes, this contains a great collaboration with The Lady Spade and several guest musicians: polymoog (Elektel, CTO LAB.), Okada Tohru (Moonriders, CTO LAB.), Plus-Tech Squeeze Box' Wakiya Takeshi, and Yume to Cosme's Hase Yasuhiro. The remixes are by Plus-Tech Squeeze Box, Sexy-Synthesizer, PandaBoY and Spain's La Casa Azul.

Check out our report of the recently held pre-release party.

The Aprils "Magical Girls"
エイプリルズ「Magical Girls」

1. New Electric
2. Magical Girls feat. sono na wa Spade
3. ki-ra-me-ki Moondiver (Remixed by Plus-Tech Squeeze Box)
4. Shine x Shine x Shine x Shine (Milkyway Flash me Remix) (Remixed by La Casa Azul)
5. koibitotachi no ABC
6. Back To The Future Music (Remixed by Sexy-Synthesizer)
7. PiPiPi Music ~Music Gungun Image Song~
8. Cosmo 80's (Remixed by PandaBoY)

BounDEE DQC-836
Out 2012/1/11, ¥1400
Order: Amazon, HMV , Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan

TAKANAMI Keitarō to Nangasaki Five "Do-Re-Mi no daikōkai Nagasaki yōgaku kotohajime"

2011-12-21T14:08:45Z

It took me this long to notice, but Takanami Keitarō (ex-Pizzicato Five) has a new album that was released last month! Continuing the series with his "Nangasaki Five", this album still focuses on his home roots of Nagasaki while taking us on a trip around the world. Some of the songs were recorded live at a fund-raising event held last May in Nagasaki. Part of the profits from this CD's sales are also to be given to charity.

Keitarō has also announced on his blog that he has started a new unit called Playtime Rock (also the name of his self-owned label), together with flutist/singer Ichiba Mina (seen in the TV commercial clip below). Let's be looking for more news in 2012!

Takanami Keitarō to Nangasaki Five "Do-Re-Mi no daikōkai Nagasaki yōgaku kotohajime"
高浪慶太郎となんがさきふぁいぶ「ドレミの大航海ナガサキ洋楽事始め」

1. nobara
2. Veni, Creator Spiritus
3. Wilhelmus (The Netherlands' national anthem)
4. gururiyoza
5. Sicut cervus desiderat
6. Loch Lomond
7. Eine Japanische Ouverture
8. Down By The Riverside
9. kimigayo (Original version)
10. utsukushiki tennen
11. Un bel di vedremo (Madame Butterfly)
12. orandabune
13. Nagasaki
14. Gloriosa 1st movement "Oratio"
15. Amazing Grace

Playtime Rock PTR-003
Out now (11/11), ¥2500
Order: Amazon, Tower (Japan only)

TV commercial

Prof. Sakamoto "Sakamoto kyōju no 8bit Juke Box"

2011-12-20T13:56:53Z

Prof. Sakamoto (aka Sakamoto kyōju, a nickname that usually refers to Sakamoto Ryūichi but not in this case) is an 8-bit artist also known for being able to play just about any Famicom game theme on a synthesizer off the top of his head. Here he brings us an album of covers of hit J-pop songs from the 80's and 90's, all rearranged 8-bit style.

The first pressing comes with a bonus DVD expected to contain the music video seen below. HMV also gives away a badge (while supplies last).

Prof. Sakamoto "Sakamoto kyōju no 8bit Juke Box"
サカモト教授「サカモト教授の8bitジュークボックス」

1. Roman hikō (Komekome Club)
2. donna toki mo. (Makihara Noriyuki)
3. Robinson (Spitz)
4. daimeiwaku (Unicorn)
5. Train-Train (The Blue Hearts)
6. Only You (Boowy)
7. Rosier (Luna Sea)
8. Etupirka (Hakase Tarō)
9. natsu no hi no 1993 (Class)
10. I'm Proud (Kahara Tomomi)
11. Asia no junshin (Puffy)
12. My Revolution (Watanabe Misato)
13. Romance no kamisama (Hirose Kohmi)

Lastrum LACD-0226A
Out now (12/21), ¥1800
Order: Amazon, HMV , Tower (Japan only), CDJapan

"Roman hikō ~ donna toki mo. ~ Robinson medley"

Thanks to Neaux for the heads-up!

groovin vox "the day i was born"

2011-12-19T11:44:00Z

Tokyo jazz band groovin vox has been around for 5 years already, and here's finally a long awaited first album. The band is fronted by multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Sasaki Tadashi, and supported by funky basslines, two saxophones and energetic drums.

Several songs can be sampled at the band's MySpace.

A release party was held on December 18, and some photos can be seen here.

groovin vox "the day I was born"

1. the day i was born
2. we will
3. again
4. shine
5. time
6. reason
7. since i've been lovin' u
8. kedamono

Cuenta Works CUE-006
Out now (12/20), ¥1500
Order: Amazon, HMV , Tower (Japan only),

Various Artists "SUNAGA Tatsuo no yoru Jazz digs Venus Jazz Opus III"

2011-12-19T10:53:31Z

This is a 3rd in the series of Sunaga Tatsuo's compilations selected from Japanese jazz label Venus Records, which releases works by foreign artists.

Sunaga Tatsuo's unit Sunaga t Experience has a new cover album that was released earlier this month, titled "Choice".

All tracks can be sampled on the official release page by clicking the track titles.

Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz digs Venus Jazz Opus III"
オムニバス「須永辰緒の夜ジャズ digs Venus Jazz Opus III」

(Title / Artist)
1. Winter Sonata / Romantic Jazz Trio
2. From Birdland To Broadway / Bill Crow Quartet
3. Stolen Moments / One For All
4. Solar / Richie Beirach Trio
5. Linear Motion / The Claude Williamson Trio
6. Papagaio Rei / Adela Dalto
7. Getting Some Fun Out Of Life / Nicki Parrott
8. Blue Bossa / Harold Maybern Quartet
9. No Problem / Barney Wilen Quartet
10. No More Blues / Simone
11. Don't Explain / Kenny Barron Trio
12. All Or Nothing At All / Tessa Souter

Venus Records VHCD-01063
Out 12/21, ¥1980
Order: Amazon, HMV , Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan