Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Nomiya Maki "Party People"
Impressive list of guests revealed!

Various Artists "Little Miss Jazz And Jive"
Correct title for akiko's jazz 'n' jive compilation

Nomiya Maki will give one hell of a party this October, following the release of her new album "Party People". Taking place at one of Tokyo's newest and trendiest venues, ageHa, the all-night event will feature performances by most guests appearing on the album, and then some.

Official event page

Party People Party
at Shinkiba ageHa (check site for access)
on 10/28 (Fri.)

Main live
Nomiya Maki

Live guests
Akagi Tadaharu (ex-Films)
Oui Oui
Kikuchi Naruyoshi
p&art sasanoooha
Romantica
and more!

DJ
Aoba
Anita-san
GTS
Tani Heigo (Co-Fusion)
p&art sasanoooha
and more!

VJ
Ugawa Naohiro
Takashiro Tsuyoshi
and more!

Live
Futon

Starts at 22:00, ends at 29:00
Tickets: adv. ¥3500, door ¥4000, VIP ¥10000 (tickets available though Pia (P-code: 213-981), on sale 10/8)

In the mid-80's, Japan saw a phoenomena so-called "kyonshi boom", kyonshi referring to the Chinese zombies who jump with their hands forward. Now it's official, the kyonshi boom is back! There are boxed sets coming out, the popular Ten Ten is making TV appearances, and a brand new kyonshi film, "Shaolin Kyonshi" (2004, Hong Kong), will be playing this November.

"Shaolin Kyonshi" is said to be a mix of kung-fu action and mixing in some knug-fu action, and it features Chia Hui Liu (aka Gordon Liu) who played in Kill Bill.

Shaolin Kyonshi
少林キョンシー
Starts November 12 at Cine Saison Shibuya and elsewhere.

And, here's a summary of kyonshi DVDs out now or soon. The best resources for the latest info are the Kyonshee-dō fan site and also this fan page.

reigendōshi (Mr. Vampire) (5 DVDs)
霊幻道士
4 full-length films.
Region 2 NTSC, Chinese and Japanese audio, Japanese subtitles.
Official page

@entertainment ATVD-10852
Out 2004/4/2, ¥9400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

shin reigendōshi - fūsui sōsa hen
新・霊幻道士 風水捜査篇
Region 2 NTSC, Chinese and Japanese audio, Japanese subtitles.
Official page

Pony Canyon PCBE-51043
Out 2004/8/18, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

reigendōshi The Movie - sora tobu Dracula Returns
霊幻道士 ザ・ムービー 空飛ぶドラキュラ・リターンズ
Region 2 NTSC, Chinese and Japanese audio, Japanese subtitles.
Official page

Pony Canyon PCBE-51237
Out 1/7, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

reigendōshi (Mr. Vampire) Digital Remaster ban
霊幻道士 デジタル・リマスター版
Region 2 NTSC, Chinese audio, Japanese subtitles
Official page

Universal UASD-43499
Out 4/22, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

rairai! Kyonshees (3 DVDs)
来来！キョンシーズ
TV series including 10 episodes on 3 discs.
Region 2 NTSC, dubbed in Japanese only, no subtitles.
Official page

@entertainment ATVD-11302
Out 6/29, ¥11400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

yūgendōshi (5 DVDs)
幽玄道士
Series of 5 films.
Region 2 NTSC, dubbed in Japanese only, no subtitles.
Official page

@entertainment ATVD-11502
Out 11/11, ¥19000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (pre-orders 20% off)

Shinohara Tomoe "★asoFever 2005★ ~'kiniro no Gashbell' Ending theme"
Artwork added

m-flo has an upcoming remix and reproduction album of their recent "Beat Space Nine", featuring Japanese and overseas remixers.

m-flo "Dope Space Nine"

1. One Day / Loves Katō Miriya (Remixed By Kreva)
2. So Exclusive / Loves Sowelu (Remixed By Clazziquai Project)
3. Dopeman? / Loves Emyli & Diggy-Mo' (Remixed By Maboroshi)
4. Float'n Flow / Loves Rie Fu (Remixed By DJ Marky)
5. Tripod Baby / Loves Lisa (Remixed By Osawa Shinichi (Mondo Grosso))
6. The Other Side Of Love / Loves Emyli (Remixed By Cubismo Grafico)
7. Loop In My Heart / Loves Emyli & Yoshika (Remixed By Home Grown)
8. To Your Beat / Loves Yoshika (Remixed By DJ Mitsu The Beats (Gagle/Jazzy Sport))
9. Let Go / Loves Yoshika (Remixed By Reggae Disco Rockers)
10. Taste Your Stuff / Loves Bennie K (Remixed By Kevin Blechdom)
11. Cozmo-Naughty / Loves Kahimi Karie (Remixed By Sugiurumn)
12. I'm Da 1 <Tongari Nipopo no Kimchi joseyo Mix> / Loves Whee Sung (Remixed By Tongari Nipopo)
13. A.D.D.P. / Loves Monday Michiru (Remixed By Magdarise (Tokunaga Maar+Masaki))
14. Hey! / Loves Wada Akiko (Remixed By CKB-Annex)

Rhythm Zone RZCD-45278
Out 11/2, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Following his latest album "Flash", Tei Towa has a remix/compilation album coming out soon. The album is not expected to only contain remixes, but also apparently "Flash"-inspired original tracks by other artists. Featured artists will include Atom™, Grant Nelson, Joey Negro and many others.

Tei Towa "Flasher"

1. Heartbeat (Heartbeats 3.52) / The Knife
2. Sometime Samurai (Don Atom 2005 Remix)
3. Sometime Samurai (ATFC's Bushido Groove)
4. Melody (Grant Nelson's M25 Remix)
5. Take 5/ Giddy Aunt
6. Wildberry Tracks (Vocal Mix) / Future Funk
7. Let's Get It On (SharamJey Updated Mix) / Soundz Fresh
8. Risk Some Soul (Kneedeep Remix)
9. Different Nu Nu (Atom TM's Acid Evolution Remix)
10. Do It Good (Basement Mix) / Numarx

V2 V2CP-248
Out 11/23, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Finally, the promised vinyl edition of the great compilation of Shōwa-era rare groove, "Moodsville Presents Shōwa Dance Party @ Ikenoue Koan", is coming soon!
One 7" on Readymade, one 12" on Moodsville, and another on Ballroom Record (which wasn't a releasing label until now). The three releases will contain 18 songs taken from the 29-track CD compilation.

The great retro artwork, directed by Konishi Yasuharu, is itself a reason to definitely buy these songs once again!

Nakatsuka Mie "tsukiyo ni Bossa Nova" (7")
中塚ミエ 「月夜にボサノバ」

A. tsukiyo ni Bossa Nova (Fly Me To The Moon) / Nakatsuka Mie (2:08)
B. Hello Petite Fille ~konnichi wa Mademoiselle~ / Nakatsuka Mie (1:56)

Readymade RMEEP-003
Out 10/12, ¥934 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: (not yet)

A-1. Night and Day / Yokouchi Shōji Quintet Plus Latin Rhythm (2:31)
A-2. Mini Mini Date / Fuji Yuki (2:18)
A-3. koi no yorokobi / Yoshinaga Sayuri/School Mates (2:29)
A-4. Eight Days A Week / The Cupits(?) (2:47)
B-1. Cha Cha Cha wa ikaga / Yukimura Izumi (3:15)
B-2. Bossa Nova Baby / Kajiwara Machiko (1:46)
B-3. Ginza Jungle musume / Watanabe Mari (2:55)
B-4. wakaitte subarashii / Maki Michiru & Four Mates (2:32)

Ballroom BRR-001
Out 10/12, ¥1410 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: (not yet)

Shōwa Dance Party <dai2shū> @ Ikenoue Koan (12")
昭和ダンスパーティー ＜第二集＞ ＠ 池ノ上こあん

A-1. wakare no kyoku / Singers Three/Ikeno Shigeaki & Play 8 (1:59)
A-2. getsuei no Rendez-vous / Mari Keiko & Rio Aruma (2:59)
A-3. itoshi no Max / Matsumoto Hiroshi & Blue Nights (2:25)
A-4. Sunlite Twist / Itō Aiko (2:34)
B-1. Drum Boogie / Danny Iida & His Paradise King (3:08)
B-2. Love Samba / Nami Etsuko/Honey Nights (2:38)
B-3. Tunnel tengoku / Ishikawa Akira & Mid Night Sounds (2:34)
B-4. Perdido / Watanabe Shin & Six Joes (3:33)

Moodsville VILLE-003
Out 10/12, ¥1410 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: (not yet)

This release has been cancelled.

This low-priced single will be preceding the release of akiko's Konishi-san produced cover album.

akiko "I Want You To Be My Baby"

Verve UCCJ-5003
Out 11/9, ¥477 (excl. 10% tax)
Order:

(Track list and artwork to be added when available.)

Shinohara Tomoe Tomoe "★asoFever 2005★ ~'kiniro no Gashbell' Ending theme"
Track list added

macdonald duck eclair "The Genesis Songbook"
Track list added

Korean club pop unit Clazziquai Project's 2004 first album "Instant Pig" is being released in Japan this month, including two bonus English versions.
They will also appear on m-flo's upcoming remix album "Dope Space Nine" out in November.

Clazziquai Project can be caught live in Tokyo on October 7, as they will perform at FPM's regular event Grand Tourismo held at Nishi-Azabu Yellow. Details at FPM's official site.

Many thanks to reader Kate for introducing me to this great band a while ago!

Clazziquai Project "Instant Pig"

1. You Never Know
2. Come To Me
3. Futuristic
4. After Love
5. Novabossa
6. Sweety
7. Stepping Out
8. Tattoo
9. I Will Never Cry
10. Gentle Rain
11. After Love (Extra Remix)
12. Flower
13. Play Girl
14. My Life (Boom Remix)
15. Cat Bossa
16. Sweety (English Version)
17. Come To Me (English Version)

Avex Trax AVCD-17729
Out 9/28, ¥2427 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

The theme song of Puffy's U.S. animation series "Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi" is coming out as a single, including a Konishi Yasuharu remix!
The single will first be released as a limited edition including a sticker.

Puffy "Hi Hi"

1. Hihi
2. Hihi (The Readymade Toon Jingle 2005)
3. Hihi (TV Mix)

Ki/oon KSCL-896
Out 11/16, ¥972 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, Amazon U.S.

... and you thought Morning Musume were too many?
A new unit called bonnō Girls features no less than 108 girls! Their first single is a cover of the Shiseidō commercial song "i-ke-na-i Rouge Magic" written by by Imawano Kiyoshirō and Sakamoto Ryūichi.
Who the girls are exactly remains mostly a mystery, except for that most of them aren't singers but models.

As for the point of interest, the song is arranged by Fantastic Plastic Machine!

All editions come with a DVD containing the song's video, and the two limited editions each contain a set of 54 collectible cards (you guessed it, you need both to have all 108 girls!).

100+8 Sexy Girls From V.S.O.O.P./bonnō Girls "i·ke·na·i Rouge Magic" (CD+DVD)
100+8 Sexy Girls From V.S.O.O.P./煩悩ガールズ 「い・け・な・いルージュマジック」

CD
1. i·ke·na·i Rouge Magic
2. i·ke·na·i Rouge Magic (Instrumental)

DVD
1. i·ke·na·i Rouge Magic

Limited edition A (CD+DVD and 1st set of 54 cards)
Sweetstar/Victor VIZL-146
Out 10/8, ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (10% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

Limited edition B (CD+DVD and 2nd set of 54 cards)
Sweetstar/Victor VIZL-146
Out 10/8, ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (10% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD+DVD)
Sweetstar/Victor VIZL-146
Out 10/8, ¥1239 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (10% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

November will see the release of Halfby's first full-length album "Green Hours", and excellent Kyoto label Second Royal will be hosting a release party in Tokyo on October 1st! The album will be on sale at the event, a few days early from its announced release date!
This event also marks the beginning of the label's Japan tour "Triple Travel Tours 2005".

Anyone else up for a Wack Wack Rhythm Band/Cubismo Grafico Five -> Second Royal evening?

Second Royal presents Freaky!: Halfby "Green Hours" Release Party
on 10/1
at Shinjuku Oto

DJs:
Takahashi Takahiro (Halfby)
Matsuno Mitsunori (Fredo)
Morino Yoshitaka (Handsomeboy Technique)
Ono Satoru (Toss & Volley)
Sarudog (Mu-Stars)

Starts at 22:00
Price: (advance ¥2000?), door ¥2500 (2 drinks?), (with flyer before midnight ¥1500 (1 drink)?)
Free limited special CD to 50 first arrived

Shinohara Tomoe is back with a first music release since (I think) the ZuTTO single in January 2004. The single is an ending theme for the anime series kiniro no Gashbell, and is arranged by Kagami.
Thanks to Nick for the heads-up!

Shinohara Tomoe "★asoFever 2005★ ~'kiniro no Gashbell' Ending theme"
篠原ともえ 「★遊FEVER 2005★ ～『金色のガッシュベル！！』エンディングテーマ」

1. ★asoFever★
2. ♣oyatsu♣
3. Stereo Phonics

Pony Canyon PCCG-00690
Out 10/19, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Macdonald Duck Eclair are back this fall with a second album, successor to "short short" . According to Usagi-chang Records's description (and confirmed by what I heard recently), they now have a sound more electro-punk and rockish than before.

When bought from certain sources, the album will be accompanied by a 26-track bonus CD-R (while supplies last), see below for details.

Macdonald Duck Eclair "The Genesis Songbook"

1. Poodle
2. The Eyes Just Like A Fawn's
3. Paradise Song
4. Shepherd
5. Talk
6. sōseiki
7. La Flamme De L'amour
8. dare ga tame ni kane wa naru
9. Short Short Bad Taste
10. Le Diable
11. Ever Green

Usagi-chang USG-010
Out 11/16, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Macdonald Duck Eclair "The Genesis Songbook Bonus CD 'After The Genesis Songbook'" (CD-R)

1. Abel Welkes
2. Barbara Evangelias
3. Christine Hollis
4. Donald le Diable
5. Ellie Badowska
6. Felicia Welsh
7. Gideon Dagastine
8. Hope Laflambois
9. Isaac Hicks
10. Jephthah Southiwick
11. Katherine Robinson
12. Luke T Doraiswamy
13. Maria Payne
14. Nicole Schluphake
15. Onan Cook
16. Pharadiso Sung
17. Quentin Morgan
18. Richie Fawnard
19. Saint Lewis
20. Theodora Stewart
21. Ursula Podojak
22. Voodoo Mitchell
23. Winifred N Rivas
24. Xenos Myrl
25. Yolanda Beasley
26. Zirah Poohachoff

Usagi-chang USGB-005
Free when buying the album at selected Tower Records and HMV shops and when ordering online at Tower, HMV or directly from Usagi-chang (while supplies last).
Order: HMV, Tower, Usagi-chang (from 11/16, Japan only)
In Tokyo: Tower Shinjuku, Tower Shibuya, Tower Ikebukuro, HMV Shibuya, HMV Shinjuku South, HMV Shinjuku East, HMV Ikebukuro Metropolitan Plaza
Complete shops list at Usagi-chang

Released at the same time as her new cover album, akiko also selected favorite jive tracks for this compilation.
There will be a cardboard jacket limited edition. Buy early!

Various Artists "akiko presents: Rockin' Doo Wop Jump & Jive"

1. Oh Babe! / Wynonie Harris
2. Destination 2100 and 65
3. Lucy Brown
4. It's A Pitty To Say Goodnight / Ella Fitzgerald with the Delta Rhythm Boys
5. The Train Kept A Rollin'
6. Saturday Night Fish Fry / Louis Jordan
7. That Mellow Saxophone / Roy Montrell
8. Old Fashioned Love
9. Poppity Pop
10. Mister Lee
11. Yakkity Yak
12. Cherokee Dance / Bob Landers
13. Rocking Pneumonia and Boogie Woodie Flu / Larry Williams
14. Lover Please / Clyde McPhatter
15. The Girl Can't Help It / Little Richard
16. Twiddle Dee / LaVern Baker
17. Sh-Boom / The Chords
18. She's The Most / The Five Keys
19. Lucky Lips / Ruth Brown
20. Fools Fall In Love
21. Jumpin' Jive / Cab Calloway
22. Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat
23. Just A Gigolo ~ I Ain't Got Nobody

Universal UICO-4031
Out 11/23, ¥2427 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Jazz vocalist akiko's next release will be a cover album of jump'n'jive songs, produced by none other than Konishi Yasuharu.
Also check out her albums "Mood Swings" and "Mood Indigo" both beautifully produced by Sunaga Tatsuo.

There will be a cardboard jacket limited edition. Buy early!

akiko "Little Miss Jazz And Jive"

1. Swing shinakerya imi ga nai ne.
2. Around The World
3. Flat Foot Floogie (Slim Gaillard)
4. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My baby (Louis Jordan)
5. I Want You To Be My Baby
6. Mr.Sandman
7. I'm Beginning to See The Light (Duke Ellington)
8. The Music Goes Round And Around

Verve UCCJ-2041
Out 11/23, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, Amazon U.S.

Nomiya Maki "Party People"
Artwork added!!

Record banchō Sunaga Tatsuo is a busy selector, back next month already with a second installment of his "late night jazz for men" series. The first of the series made it to #1 in both Tower Records and HMV's weekly jazz charts.

Official release page at Universal

Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz Allnighters No.2"
オムニバス 「須永辰緒の夜ジャズ～Jazz Allnighters №2～」

1. My Favorite Things / Clarke-Boland Big Band
2. Revelation / Max Greger
3. Somebody Loves Me / Zoot Sims
4. zorutan no Theme / Nathan Davis
5. Nordeste / Meirelles Os Copa 5
6. Tamba / Tamba Trio
7. Skopje no yoru / Dusko Goykovich
8. Jazz et Jazz / Andre Hodeir
9. Modo Azure / Jean-Luc Ponty
10. Nude / Karel Velebny NoOnet
11. katsute... / Ego-Wrappin'
12. Presentation Piece #1 / Bill Wells Trio
13. Israel Nights / Tubby Hayes Orch.

Universal UCCU-1073
Out 10/26, ¥2427 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, Amazon U.S.

Also:
"Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz Allnighters No.1" (Sony)

I've added a RSS feed of the chronological calendar for those who want a quick outlook of the upcoming releases and events right in their feed reader.
Warning: Because RSS feeds usually contain only dates in the past, this special feed may not work well in some RSS readers.
Calendar RSS 1.0/RDF feed

The agenda blog's main RSS feed remains there of course, to keep you informed of latest additions and corrections to the agenda.
Agenda RSS 1.0/RDF feed

To those who don't know what RSS feeds are or what they can do for you, it's not too late to jump in. Here's an informational article about feeds.

Also, the calendar is now available to your mobile phone in full text through WINKsite. This is the best way to keep all those catalog numbers in your pocket (always useful with indies-challenged large record store staff).
Use this URL: http://winksite.com/chipple/agenda/ (Email it to yourself)

Ex-Cibo Matto vocalist Hatori Miho, who has kept herself busy over the past years doing some releases and shows with her bossa nova unit Smokey & Miho (together with Smokey, best known as Beck's studio and tour guitarist), has a first solo album coming out in Japan!
Miho will be coming over to Japan for promotion starting September 2.

Hatori Miho "Ecdysis"
羽鳥美保 「Ecdysis」

1. Ecdysis
2. A Song For Kids
3. In Your Arms
4. Barracuda
5. The Sprit Of Juliet
6. Walking City
7. Sweet Samsara Part I
8. Sweet Samsara Part II
9. Today Is Like That
10. The River Of 3 Crossings
11. Amazona

Speedstar/Victor VICP-63142
Out 10/21, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon