Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Chocolat and husband Katayose Akito (Great 3) join forces for a duet full-length album.
The album will feature guests Shimizu Hirotaka (ex-Bridge), Araki Yūko (aka Migu), members of Little Creatures, Polaris, El-Malo, and also John McEntire (The Sea and Cake, Tortoise) and Jeff Parker (Tortoise).

Recently, the two have also collaborated on the just out Zamagi single "Suitune" , which also features Sugar Yoshinaga (Buffalo Daughter).

Chocolat & Akito "Chocolat & Akito"

1. Walking In The Park
2. Fall In Love
3. 100 noi gimonfu
4. Kiss Me Black
5. Nostalgia
6. I Will Forgive You
7. Blue Tuesday
8. Fly
9. niji to ame
10. Cry
11. hidari kiki no yume
12. Time

Victor VICL-61719
Out 9/7, ¥2900 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, Amazon U.S.

Various Artists "Readymade Digs Disney 3"
Track list (I'm glad I just had to copy-paste it!) and artwork added: Minnie Mouse!

10-member party brass band Wack Wack Rhythm Band has a new album coming this summer! A definite buy!

Wack Wack Rhythm Band "Sounds of Far East"

1. Bermuda Blowback
2. The dax
3. Spin Me Right on 45
4. Casa Bianca
5. Younger Girl (with Boo)
6. Midnight Roundabout
7. Onimotsu-Konimotsu
8. Let It Go (with Trilets from Dreamlets)
9. Split Image
10. Faraway
11. Sgt. Antonio
12. Expo '73 Avenue

File FRCD-146
Out 8/25, ¥2600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

About a year after the mini-album, "Balmacaan" , the 7" edition is finally out, and holds no less than 4 full songs! This includes the great cover of Yuming's "chūō Freeway".

Kofta "Balmacaan" (7")

A1. dime and dice
A2. chūō freeway
B1. no meaning to cry
B2. the crux

Orange Records ORGR-018
Out now (6/17), ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, DMR (Japan)

A first release by Seeland, a new unit formed of Tim Felton (ex-Broadcast) and Billy Bainbridge (ex-Plone), will soon be out on Stereolab's label Duophonic Super 45s! Having been a big fan of both bands, I'm definitely looking forward to this, and my copy is already ordered (along with Mary Hansen's postmortem (R.I.P.) "Hybrid" EP).
The 7" is limited to 750 copies only.

Seeland "Wander / Pherox" (7")

A. Wander
B. Pherox

Duophonic Super 45s DS45-36
Out 7/4, £2.99 at Duophonic
Order: Duophonic Shop (UK)

The sequel to popular Playstation 2 game "katamari damashii" will be out on July 7. Like the first game's acclaimed soundtrack, this one's looks like it will be a winner. It features vocals by Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five), Kahimi Karie, You (ex-Fairchild), Kirinji and more.

"minna dai suki katamari damashii" official site

Game Soundtrack "minna dai suki katamari damashii Original Soundtrack 'katamari wa tamashii'"
ゲーム・サウンドトラック 「みんな大好き 塊魂 オリジナル・サウンドトラック 『塊は魂』」

1. Introduction
2. katamari On The Rock / Dokaka
3. Overture II
4. katamari On The Swing / Matsuzaki Shigeru
5. kurukuru Rock / Illreme
6. Everlasting Love / Alisa
7. tsuyogari tamashii / Kirinji
8. Beautiful Star
9. tenshi no ame / You
10. Houston
11. Blue Orb / Kahimi Karie
12. katamari Holiday
13. Baby Universe / Nomiya Maki
14. DISCO★PRINCE / Numa Kenji
15. shakunetsu no Savanna
16. The Royal Academy of Katamari
17. King Of King no uta / Miyazaki Tomu

Columbia COCX-33273
Out 7/20, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Musician and narrator Mogi Junichi, or Mogy Junwich as he prefers, is best known to me as the announcer's voice in the hilarious "Ski Jumping Pairs" DVDs (3 stunts are also included on Halcali's first DVD ).
I'm not too sure what to expect from this, but he has a first album out soon, produced by Mizumoto Akira (of TMVG (Did you know it stands for "Team Viagra"? Sounds a bit dated now.)). The comedy concept album sums up a whole day at a TV station.

Mogy Junwich "Mogy-TV"
茂木淳一 「Mogy-TV」

1. 4:30 kaikyoku
2. 6:00 Italia-go kaiwa
3. 10:00 Wide Show
4. 11:45 takitate yosoru no Madam han (messhi-)
5. 12:15 hiru doki! gozōroppu
6. 12:45 renzoku TV shōsetsu "sanagi"
7. 13:00 News
8. 14:00 danshi kōkō sūgaku I
9. 15:00 My Favorite Holiday
10. 16:30 nihon Happy Gas kara no oshirase
11. 17:55 tenki yosō
12. 18:00 pai wa chikyū o sukū
13. 20:00 ookawa Drama "sushi shū"
14. 21:00 Quiz jijionea ~ CM: nomumaccho!
15. 22:00 mayonaka keisatsu 24ji
16. 23:00 hitori no bikkuri Show
17. CM Asian White Mouse hoken
18. 24:20 momichunchiki no Midnight Driver
19. 24:40 fudōsan hyōryūki Balcony
20. CM Pistachio wari ningyō
21. CM suppai Cabbage
22. 25:20 TV Shopping
23. CM kuwagatajiro-
24. 27:59 shinya mo pai wa chikyū o sukū
25. 28:00 heikyoku ~Test hōsō~

Quick Japan UXCQ-001
Out 8/10, ¥1715 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

I have been a huge Björk fan since "Debut", though I've been a bit out of the loop lately, not having been much into her voice-only album "Medlla". I'm however looking forward to her new film "Drawing Restraint 9" directed by Matthew Barney (Cremaster), which is set in Japan and dialogue is also said to be in Japanese.

The film's soundtrack will be out in Japan a few days early, with the same tracklist. It includes only two songs sung by herself.

Bjork "Music from 'kōsoku no Drawing 9'"

1. gratitude
2. pearl
3. ambergris march
4. bath
5. hunter vessel
6. shimenawa
7. vessel shimenawa
8. storm
9. holographic entrypoint
10. cetacea
11. antarctic return

Polydor UICP-1062
Out 7/21, ¥2427 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Recent updates...

Various Artists "Ciclismo 2"
Track list and artwork added

Harvard "Oracle"
Direct pre-orders together with "Ciclismo 2" ship early!

m-flo "Loop In My Heart / Hey!"
Track list added

Man, was I waiting for this one! Chromeo live in Tokyo!
If you have yet to check out this super cool unit from Montreal, do yourself a favor by doing so now!

Shake Hip Carnival
at Shibuya Womb
on July 8

Live: Chromeo

DJs:
Diplo
Emma (Nitelist Music/Malawi Rocks)
Yoshizawa dynamite.jp × Duck Rock
DJ Mieko

Dancers:
Hane
Noemi & Miho (Goldfinger)

Starts at 23:00
Price: 1500¥ (CHEAP!!)

All details at Vice.
(Can't believe they list Chromeo as from the U.S...)

Compilation to contain new songs by Hair (aka Les Hair, The Hair), The Collectors and The High Lows, and also previously released songs by The Scooters, Wack Wack Rhythm Band, Neil and Iraiza, Cymbals, The Freedom Suite, Scoobie Do, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and more.

Official site

Various Artists "Mods Mayday 25th Anniversary Compilation"

(Title / Artist)
1. Mod Track / The High-Lows
2. Never Mind / The Collectors
3. Just A Little Bit Of Your Soul (Alternate Version) / Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
4. Tokyo Disco Night / The Scooters
5. Higher Than The Sun / Cymbals
6. Two Five One Four Zero / Neil and Iraiza
7. Tokyo Mone / Blue Beat Players
8. The Mods Are Alright / The Shamrock
9. Maybe Tomorrow / Ron Ron Clou
10. Can You Hear Me / The Boss
11. The Thing / Scoobie Do
12. Turn Me On / The Marquee
13. Imitation / The Standards
14. My Everlasting Happiness / NG3
15. I Do / The I-Spy
16. They Call Me Alligator / Wack Wack Rhythm Band
17. Happy End / The Zoot Style
18. Sunshine Girl / Freedom Suite
19. Split Up / Soul Mission
20. God Is Standing By / The Fave Raves
21. Blue Bird / Lui
22. henyō suru Mod shugi no keikō/mod / Les Hair

Triad COCP-50864
Out 7/20, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

More Second Royal club beats this summer, not to be missed!
The just out Fredo "Smack!" () is great!

Handsomeboy Technique "Adleie Land"

1. A Walk Across The Rooftops
2. Interstellar Discodrive
3. Num Piscar De Olhos
4. Quiet Place
5. Adelie Coast Waltz
6. 8000 Laurels
7. Season Of Young Mouss
8. Miami Radio Flash
9. Affections
10. Your Blessings

Second Royal SRCD-009
Out 7/7, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

After safely returning from a busy U.S. schedule (and before going back in August!), it's been confirmed that PINE*am will be hitting Tokyo this summer!
A show not to be missed, no matter what!

MUTEQ
at Star Pine's Cafe (map)
on July 1st (Friday)

Live:
PINE*am
Vasallo Crab75
Hot fun in the funny face
Fantastic Explosion (Nagata Kazunao, Yoshida Tetsuto, Bubble-B)

DJ & mini-live: New Castle
VJ: warp&warp (Kodama Yūichi and Fukuta Takeshi)

Price: ¥2000 (includes 1 drink)
Starts at: 24:00, all night

Second cycling-themed compilation from Escalator, this time with a "mountain" theme. The compilation will feature all new songs by Cubismo Grafico, Harvard, Yukari Fresh, Clear, Miniflex, and more...

Various Artists "Ciclismo 2 - Sound for Climbers"

1. Miniflex "Helico"
2. A. P. I. "Stelvio - Mortirolo"
3. Cubismo Grafico feat. Caede "Song For Marco"
4. Wash Mickie Footie "Gran Premio Della Montagna"
5. Yukari Fresh "Interstellar Kiss And Ride"
6. Clear "Uberwichtig"
7. Kaleidos "Anti Doping"
8. Clear "z"
9. Isar 12 "Virenque"
10. S. P. L. "Stranger's Perfect Luck"
11. Kaleidos "SL01"
12. Fukushima Kōji "Ciao"
13. Cubismo Grafico "Live Strong"
14. Miniflex "Caroline Au Mont Ventoux"
15. Harvard "Fallin'"

Escalator ESCD-055
Out 7/2, ¥2625
Pre-order: Escalator
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

m-flo is to release a new album in August, once again featuring many guests! Aside from the two songs from the upcoming single with Emyli & Yoshika and Wada Akiko, are expected appearances by Kahimi Karie, Monday Michiru, Lisa (ex-m-flo) and more!

m-flo "Beat Space Nine"

1. Beat
2. Taste Your Stuff / loves Bennie K
3. Loop In My Heart / loves Emyli & Yoshika
4. SO EXCLUSIVE / loves Sowelu
5. I'M DA 1 / loves Whee Sung
6. ONE DAY / loves Katō Miriya
7. A.D.D.P. / loves Monday Michiru
8. tO yOUR bEAT / loves Yoshika
9. SPACE
10. DOPEMAN? / loves Emyli & Diggy-Mo'
11. COZMO-NAUGHTY / loves Kahimi Karie
12. The Other Side of Love / loves Emyli
13. Float'n Flow / loves Rie fu
14. HEY! / loves Wada Akiko
15. let go / loves Yoshika
16. TRIPOD BABY / loves Lisa
17. NINE

Rhythm Zone RZCD-45227
Out 8/24, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Seems like I had missed this one, including a remix by Konishi Yasuharu. I saw one of Asia Engineer's videos and it seemed to me like they're sort of similar to Rip Slyme. Fun beats for the summer from the mainstream side.

Asia Engineer "Oh! Deluxe Maxi"

1. Deluxe Encounter
2. Oh! Wonderful Life
3. kotoba no Highway DK
4. Grooving Loop (Konishi Yasuharu remix)
5. Deluxe Encounter (Deluxe Karaoke Version)
6. Oh! Wonderful Life (Wonderful Karaoke Version)
7. Grooving Loop (Konishi Yasuharu remix) (Grooving Instrumental)

Rhythm Zone RZCD-45198
Out now (5/11), ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Denki Groove × Scha Dara Parr "Saint☆ojisan"
Artwork added

Aprils will have a release party for their recently released album "Space Dream Bathroom". Plenty of live acts for a cheap price!

Aprils release party
on 7/9 (Saturday)
at Shibuya O-nest (map)

Live:
Aprils
Ram Rider
YMCK
Hazel Nuts Chocolate

DJ: Hayashibe Tomonori (Plus-tech Squeeze Box) and more
VJ: Iwakiri Naoto (Kodomo inc)
Guest: tetrapletrap-F

Starts at 18:30
Price: advance ¥2300 (reserve at Aprils' site), door ¥2500

Various Artists "Rhythm de asobō: Reaching Series No.2"
Artwork added

Crazy Ken Band "Soul Punch"
Track list and artwork added

Recent updates...

Various Artists "Readymade Digs Disney 3"
Delayed 2 weeks, now expected on 7/13

Denki Groove × Scha Dara Parr "Denki Groove toka Scha Dara Parr"
[Small] artwork added!

A compilation of clapping songs for kids will feature Cornelius, Cubismo Grafico, World Standard, Harada Ikuko (clammbon), Hanaregumi (Super Butter Dog) and many more.
Fun for all ages.

Various Artists "Rhythm de asobō: Reaching Series No.2"

(Track / Artist)
1. clap & whistle & walking / Cornelius
2. codomo no-te / Cubismo Grafico
3. KAZOE YOU 1987 version featuring KAZOEMASTER VICLY / Emerson Kitamura
4. osaru no Natacha / Takano Hiroshi
5. Lydia / Moose Hill & Harada Ikuko
6. contando ate 6 / Marcos Suzano
7. timing / itoken
8. PAN!DA!! / Hanaregumi
9. my name is clap jones / World Standard
10. Lalu Lala / Kurihara Tsutomu (Little Creatures) + Ishii Kaoru (butōka)
11. electrythm ballon / Takada Ren
12. Rhythm Rhythm Rhythm / Sakada Manabu

333DISCS 333D-17
Out 7/12, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax) (tax incl.)
Order: Amazon,

Hase Hajimu has a second album out soon, follow-up to the great "Radio" (2003).
There will also be a 7" cut for the cover of Meredith Willson's "Till There Was You" (also covered by the Beatles), featuring Petty Booka! Details when any.

This is a sure winner for this summer.

Hase Hajimu "Camp"

1. Tokyo Rag
2. Mccarran Swing
3. San Fernando Calypso
4. Till There Was You (In Havana)
5. Diablo Stomp
6. Helena Rumba
7. French Quarter Jag
8. Love Song In San Lorenzo
9. Texas Polka
10. 4 Minutes Of Gimmick In Japan
11. 4 Minutes Of Gimmick In San Juan
12. Ala Moana Breaks
13. R134
14. Nice
15. Acapulco Stepper
16. Santa Catarina Cantata
17. Calorine Good-Bye
18. Ajiro Dub
19. Welcome Home

High Contrast HCCD-9511
Out 7/6, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Following the release of the great compilation "Moodsville Presents Shōwa Dance Party @ Ikenoue Koan", a talk show will be held at Tower Cafe in Ebisu, sharing anecdotes and showcasing the rare jackets of the selected songs.

Shōwa Dance Party Record yose
昭和ダンスパーティー レコード寄席

Featuring:
Konishi Yasuharu (Readymade)
Hirabayashi Shinichi (Moodsville)
Uchikado Hiroshi (Ballroom Records)

MC: Watanabe Yū

on 6/4 (Saturday) from 19:00
at Ebisu Tower Cafe (Liquid Room 2F) (map)

Free entrance! + Free drink!
And, those who bought the CD at Tower Records get a bonus 3" CD!