Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Our man Digiki is in town, and he knows the good spots! He'll be performing at Enban in Kōenji next Tuesday. Also on the bill are Hot Troche and others.

Kawasome Yoshihiro presents
on 9/6 (Tuesday)
at Kōenji Enban (map)

Live:
Hot Troche
Digiki
Saitone
Kawasome Yoshihiro
Tsupoornu (oto ga band mei)

Opens at 18:50, starts at 19:00
Price: door ¥500 + drink

Wack Wack Rhythm Band, in my book by far Japan's (if not the World's) coolest club-brass band, is giving a rare evening concert (they usually play mostly all-night events) at Shibuya Quattro to celebrate their recent album release.

Quattro Meeting Autumn '05
on 10/1
at Shibuya Quattro (map)

Live:
Wack Wack Rhythm Band
Cubismo Grafico Five
Your Song Is Good

Opens at 18:00, starts at 19:00
Price: advance ¥2800 (on sale now at Pia P-code 206-649, Lawson L-code 34694), door ¥3300

Fine indies soft rock band solange et delphine will be doing a first live show in over a year! The show will be held at Shimokitazawa's mona records. Don't expect an in-store type of event though, as Mona Records apparently has a very nice café area.
Reserve quickly.

solange et delphine's music can be sampled at their official site

classico: solange et delphine live
on 9/10 (Saturday)
at Shimokitazawa mona records (map)

Also:
mocha classic
Frenesi

Starts at 18:30, ends at 22:00
Price: advance ¥2000 (reserve at s&d official site), door ¥2300

You may not have noticed, but there's a search box at the bottom of the agenda's index page. Well I just realized that until today, it probably wasn't working.
Now it's fixed, so feel free to use it to search for names or previous releases that were covered here.

To search across the whole site (my personal blog, moblog and the agenda), use the form at the bottom of the site's top page.

Nomiya Maki loves m-flo "Big Bang Romance"
Artwork added

Cubi+TGMX+Miniflex "Garage Land"
Artwork added

Various Artists "Readymade Digs Classics"
Artwork added, full track list added, title corrected

Second Royal's Halfby has a first full album (as long as you consider "Half Works" as a mini album) coming soon! It includes 3 songs from the 12" "Rodeo Machine" released in April.
Also check out the just out soundtrack for "Summer Timemachine Blues".

Halfby "Green Hours"

1. Double Traveling
2. Mary Mary
3. Bring It Back
4. Man & Air
5. Bathrobe
6. Flicker Song
7. Rodeo Machine
8. Girls at bass school
9. West Jungle March
10. Coro Coro Sound System
11. Daddy Is High
12. Soulful Lover Puppy

Second Royal SRCDS-010
Out 10/5, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

While we're impatiently waiting for FPM's next album, a new single is to be released on 12" only. The new song, "Tell Me", can also be heard part of FPM's "Sound Concierge #502" (out 8/31).
Out on l'Appareil-Photo bis (not dead!).

Fantastic Plastic Machine "Tell Me" (12")

A1. Tell Me (12inch Extended Mix)
B1. Euphoria (Mondo Grosso Remix) (Remixed by Ōsawa Shinichi)
B2. Tell Me (Dub)

L'Appareil-Photo bis BIS-32
Out 9/10, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order:

A new compilation in the HMV/Franc Franc series "space program", this time compiled and mixed by Ikeda Masanori (Mansfield).

Various Artists "space program [NONSTOP WAVE]"

1. Here Comes The Summer / Bikeride ~ Love x 10 / Kim Fox
2. Runaway Heart / Pennebaker
3. How Much I Really Loved You / June & the Exit Wounds
4. Ladybug / Kim Fox
5. Come On Now / Kevin Tihista's Red Terror
6. My Music Loves You / Mike Randle
7. I'm Into Making Up (Not Breaking Up) / Pennebaker
8. Lifetime (Bastian Mix) / Riviera
9. I Was A Landscape In Your Dream / Of Montreal
10. Interlude / Pennebaker
11. Some Days / Mike Levy
12. Bending The Rules / Pennebaker
13. Neons / Sandy Mouche
14. You Are Like A Mirror / Riviera
15. A Song / Linus of Hollywood
16. Away From My Head / Mike Levy
17. Meghan / Bikeride
18. Sandy Mouche / Sandy Mouche
19. Jaded / Kim Fox ~ Here Comes The Summer / Bikeride
20. Accordion Medley: As Time Goes By ~ 13 Jours en France ~ Un Homme et Une Femme ~ When You Wish Upon A Star ~ Moonlight Serenade

Philter PRPH-5025
Out 9/1, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: maybe)

Various Artists "Readymade Digs Classics"
Track list added (still missing artist names) (completed 8/26 10:32)

French wacky horror/comedy film "Atomik Circus: Le retour de James Bataille" seems to be very good, compared by many to Peter Jackson's classic "Bad Taste", and it's coming to Japan in November.

Watch out for the horrible Japanese title though: "Alien vs. Vanessa Paradis". The promotion even goes "After 'Alien vs. Predator' and 'Freddy vs. Jason', ...". Hmm.
Comparing the French and Japanese trailers (at each of the official sites) is also interesting, the French one focusing on the story and the Japanese one on ruthless alien attack.

Alien vs. Vanessa Paradis
「エイリアン vs. ヴァエッサ・パラディ」

Opens 10/8 at Ikebukuro Cinema Sunshine,
and 10/15 at Shibuya Cinema Society

capsule "L.D.K. Lounge Designers Killer"
Track list added

Recent updates...

Nomiya Maki loves m-flo "Big Bang Romance"
Track list added

m-flo "Beat Space Nine"
Track list added

Perfume "Linear Motor Girl"
Artwork added

Soundtrack "Summer Timemachine Blues"
Track list and artwork added

Chocolat & Akito "Chocolat & Akito"
Artwork added

This year again, Matsuken is back with a new single, you guessed it: "Matsuken Samba III"! No doubt very soon it will be heard everywhere you go.

The single comes in both limited and regular editions, and includes a remix by Konishi Yasuharu. Konishi-san mentioned that FPM has also prepared a remix, so it should be safe to assume there's a remix CD on its way!

Beware, this time the limited edition comes not with a DVD but with a sticker and keitai cleaner.

Release official page with sound sample

Matsudaira Ken "Matsuken Samba III"
松平健 「マツケンサンバⅢ」

1. Matsuken Samba III (Short version)
2. Matsuken Samba III (Remix version by Konishi Yasuharu)
3. Matsuken Samba III (Full version)
4. Matsuken Samba III (Original karaoke)

Geneon GNCL-0014 (Limited edition with Matsuken special goods)
Out 9/14, ¥1260
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, Amazon U.S.

Geneon GNCL-0013 (Regular edition)
Out 9/14, ¥840
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, Amazon U.S.

A pretty mix from Chromeo, as we wait for their next album... pourquoi pas?
Coming in September on Belgian label Eskimo.

Recent interview at Voir.ca (Français)

Various Artists "Chromeo presents Un joli mix pour toi"

1. Electrik Funk "On A Journey (I Sing The Funk Electric)"
2. Sharon Redd "Beat The Street"
3. Chemise "She Can't Love You (Vocal)"
4. Michael Jonzun "Burnin Up"
5. Jellybean "Who Found Who"
6. Modern Romance "Burn it"
7. David Grant "Stop and Go"
8. Love Club "Hot Summer Nights"
9. The Jets "Rocket 2 You"
10. Kleeer "You Got Me Rockin"
11. Herbie Hancock "Tell Everybody"
12. Daddy Dewdrop "Nanu Nanu"
13. Temper "No Favors"
14. Total Contrast "Takes a Little Time"
15. Robert Palmer "You are in my System"
16. Calloway "I Wanna be Rich"
17. Warp 9 "No Man is an Island"

Eskimo 541416 501402
Out 9/26
Order: Amazon (Japan), soulseduction.com (Austria)

And... a brand new track from Chromeo!

The Jets "Rocket 2 U" / Chromeo "When is it Gonna Stop" (12" picture disc)

A. The Jets "Rocket 2 U"
B. Chromeo "When is it Gonna Stop"

Eskimo 541416 501404
Out 9/26
Order: soulseduction.com (Austria)

Le Tigre has a remix album coming out, mostly putting together remixes out last month on two separate 12"'s.

Le Tigre "This Island Remixes Vol. 1 & 2"

1. Nanny Nanny Boo Boo (Junior Senior remix)
2. TKO (Peaches Knock Out remix)
3. After Dark (NDB Vocal Disco mix)
4. Nanny Nanny Boo Boo (Arthur Baker Vs. Coleman & Spencer Smashter remix)
5. After Dark (Morel's Pink Noise Vocal mix)
6. Nanny Nanny Boo Boo (Craig C's Turn It Up Vocal mix)
7. After Dark (Morel's Pink Noise Dub mix)
8. After Dark (Touch Of Class remix)

Hausmusik/Chicks On Speed COSR25CD
Out 8/29 9/5
Order (U.S.): Amazon
Order (Japan, cheapest first): Amazon, HMV, Tower

Nomiya Maki's next album "Party People" will be out in October. Seems like she's back on the major scene, on the Avex label Rhythm Zone, news that goes hand in hand with her September single with m-flo "Big Bang Romance". The major move can mean more singles, videos, DVDs..., so I think it's mostly good news. I sure am hopeful!

The album will feature Akagi Chūji (ex-Films), m-flo, Kikuchi Naruyoshi (Spank Happy), GTS, Takahashi Tooru, Teramoto Rieko (Transistor Glamour, T.V. Jesus, Oui Oui), Dimitri From Paris, p&art sasanoooha, Futon, Heigo Tani (Co-Fusion) and Yamo (formerly of Kraftwerk). (In alphabetical order)

The album is said to be an 80's revival and to feature many artists of Japan's club scene! There will be a limited edition tall size jacket designed by Ugawa Naohiro (who also designed the single "Big Bang Romance", of which the inside is a definite must-see!!), so don't wait too long.

Also: Nomiya Maki "Pink no kokoro"

Nomiya Maki "Party People"
野宮真貴 「Party People」

1. Party Girl
2. Big Bang Romance (with m-flo)
3. odoru "oshare techō"
4. I Was Made For Lovin' You (with Dimitri From Paris)
5. Yamate Line
6. Question Girl
7. Not Gonna Get Us (performed by Oui Oui)
8. Princess & Prince Of The Frog
9. High (with Kikuchi Naruyoshi)
10. Party People Mega-mix

Rhythm Zone RZCD-45258
Out 10/12, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Fantastic Plastic Machine "Sound Concierge #502"
Track list added! Contains new FPM song "Tell Me"!

Nomiya Maki loves m-flo "Big Bang Romance"
Details on remixes added!

Metalchicks "Metalchicks"
Track list added

MissWonda "Wonderful Tangent"
Bonus CD-R details added, new sound samples at Usagi-chang

A 12" single will be released 2 weeks before the release of capsule's next album, "L.D.K. Lounge Designers Killer"

capsule "Aeropolis" (12")

A1. soratobu toshi keikaku
A2. Lounge Designers Killer
B1. twinkle twinkle poppp!

contemode YCJC-10001
Out 9/7, ¥1300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order:

Sunaga Tatsuo has selected overseas jazz songs for this compilation of which the concept is "jazz for men". As goes with Sunaga-san's reputation, it's safe to expect a high quality selection.

Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz Allnighters No.1"
オムニバス 「須永辰緒の夜ジャズ～Jazz Allnighters №1～」

1. Spam-boo-limbo / E.S.T.
2. Half / urb
3. Butercup / Jukka Eskola
4. Big Eater / Bad Plus
5. Ebb Tide / The Peddlers
6. Hav-A-Havanna / Ib Glindemann And His Orchestra
7. Samba Ingles / The Jazz Defektaors
8. Milestones / Miles Davis
9. Brewer's Dream / Ronie Ross
10. Nica's Dream / Art Blakey
11. Pretty / The Millers
12. Seven Days Falling / E.S.T.

Sony SICP-868
Out 8/24, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

capsule "L.D.K. Lounge Designers Killer"
Artwork added

Hazel Nuts Chocolate "Cute"
Cute artwork added

Celebrating their 40th anniversary, a tribute album to the Thunderbirds is coming! The album will feature covers by Japanese artists including Konishi Yasuharu, the Surf Coasters, RyukyuDisko, Miura Jun and more!

Official release page at Vap

Various Artists "Tribute To Thunderbirds"

1. Thunderbirds Are Go! [nihongo shudaika version] / Miura Jun
2. Thunderbirds Are Go! / Konishi Yasuharu
3. Thunderbirds Are Go! / RyukyuDisko
4. Dangerous Game / Noa Noa
5. Thunderbirds Are Go! / Sigue Sigue Sputnik
6. Thunderbirds Are Go! / DJ Chucky
7. Thunderbirds Are Go! / Attack Haus
8. If IR Supported To Move The Empire State Building ~Terror In New York City -Unde Barry and the Danger Zones- / Ueno Kōji
9. Thunderbirds Are Go! / Bravo Komatsu
10. Thunderbirds Are Go! / The Cobra Twisters
11. The Tracy Lounge Piano! / DJ Taki-Shit
12. Thunderbirds Are Go! / Ide Kōji
13. Thunderbirds Are Go! / No Bottom!
14. The Man From M.I.5 ~Thunderbirds Are Go! / The Surf Coasters

Vap VPCC-84434
Out 8/24, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, Amazon U.S.

capsule Nakata Yasutaka-produced idol unit Perfume has a first major release coming up!

The limited edition will contain a random trading card of one of the three 16-year old girls: Nocchi, Yuka and A~chan.

Perfume "Linear Motor Girl"
Prefume 「リニアモーターガール」

1. Linear Motor Girl
2. Foundation
3. Computer Driving

Tokuma Japan TKCA-72902
Out 9/21, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Cubismo Grafico, TGMX and Miniflex have a new release coming up. The concept is a compilation of the three units featuring nothing but songs made using the Mac software GarageBand.

Cubi+TGMX+Miniflex "Garage Land"

1. Still Punk Steel Pan / Cubismo Grafico
2. Loops To Climb The Apple Tree By / Miniflex
3. B.J. / TGMX
4. Back Pack Studio / Cubismo Grafico Feat. KC
5. Ears To Bite The Apple / Miniflex
6. One Take Sax / TGMX
7. Garage Land / Cubismo Grafico Feat. Caede
8. Bise A La Vue / Miniflex
9. A Sudden Miracle / TGMX
10. Power Book Is My Sketch Book / Cubismo Grafico

Escalator ESCD-056
Out 9/28, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Apple Store Shibuya finally opened last weekend, making hundreds wait in line for T-shirts. In my case, the best thing about this new store is that it will bring more free music acts and such in a place more accessible than Ginza.

Next Friday the store will host Crue-L Records's Takimi Kenji for a free DJ session. The event should also feature new Crue-L artist Fran-Key whose first mini-album "Ecstasy Romance" . Some Apple love can be felt in the tracklist by the presence of a "Takimi's Lost iPod Remix".

Takimi Kenji free DJ set

Place: Apple Store Shibuya
Date: 8/12 (Friday)
Time: 19:00 - 20:00

Konishi Yasuharu wrote music, arranged and produced the song "Lemonade" on the upcoming YeLLOW Generation album. The song is sung solo by member Hitomi who also wrote the lyrics.

YeLLOW Generation "life-sized portrait"

1. Yellow
2. tobira no mukō e
3. utakata
4. Listen!
5. toritoma
6. Lemonade
7. anone...
8. Chocolate ~senretsu na ajiwai miwaku no sekai~
9. yozora ni saku hana ~eternal place~
10. shunrai
11. owari no nai michi
12. tobira no mukou e ~Fullmetal mix~

DefSTAR DFCL-1210
Out 8/10, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon