Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Matsudaira Ken "Matsuken no AWA odori" (CD+DVD)
Artwork added, track list corrected

Sounds like this will be a great party at ageHa next week, with Tei Towa, Tanaka Tomoyuki (Fantastic Plastic Machine) and Nomiya Maki! Those without plans for Golden Week now have one more reason to stick around.

SPICY ageHa presents TA 2006
on 5/2 (Tuesday, Golden Week)
at ageHa

Arena
DJs:
Tei Towa
Tanaka Tomoyuki (Fantastic Plastic Machine)
Live: Nomiya Maki feat Verbal (m-flo) and Romantica

Water Bar
DJs:
Morita Masanori (Studio Apartment)
Daishi Dance

Island Bar
DJs:
Inoue Kaoru
Kō Kimura
Performer: Tokyo Ca☆Bunny

Opens at 23:00
Price: advance ¥3500 (Pia 226-790, Lawson 38897, e+), door ¥4000

Nomoto Karia "hitomi no naka ni Mirror Ball" "Bubbly" (Download)
iTunes Music Store Japan links added!

You've heard it already at the iTunes Music Store, Nomoto Karia's cover of Pizzicato Five's "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (English title "The night is still young") is finally coming out on CD. The single will include the remixes by Karly herself and DJ Kagami (already available on iTMS), but also a not yet released Konishi Yasuharu remix.
The package will also include a DVD containing the video clip and a trailer.

Nomoto Karia "tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (CD+DVD)
野本かりあ 「東京は夜の七時」

CD
1. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (the first cut)
2. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (karly mix)
3. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (KAGAMI mix)
4. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji kara 7ji 11pun. (extended version; karly to 524)

DVD
1. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (the first cut) (PV)
2. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (the first cut) (Trailer)

columbia*readymade COZA-206
Out 6/28, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, YesAsia

Buy iTunes Japan Music Cards at Amazon

girl it's U, the unit of ex-Love Tambourines' Ellie and Saitō Keiichi, will have an album out in time for summer. It will include the title track from EP "Lonely Buffalo" released on New Year's Day.

girl it's U "girl it's U"

1. a lonely buffalo
2. itsy bitsy
3. stupid party
4. because of friend
5. music
6. one chance
7. unsent letter
8. Takeda no komoriuta
9. little wing
10. out of the line

Crue-L KYTHMAK105DA
Out 6/16, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

(Artwork to be added when available.)

Pizzicato Five "pizzicato five we dig you"
Artwork added!

Sunaga t̀ Experience "European Suite EP"
Track list added (all album tracks). Released pushed back to last week of April.

Vocoder house artist Ram Rider has a remix album of songs from its first album "Portable Disco" coming up. The theme is "8-bit", and of course when you say 8-bit music you think YMCK, and they indeed have remixed not one, not two, not thr.. a whole FIVE songs!

Ram Rider "Portable Disco 8bit edition"

1. yumedeaeruyo by YMCK
2. Wonderful Film by Tanikugu
3. Headroom Disco by YMCK
4. Mirrorball by Far East Recording
5. Sun Lights Stars by Covox
6. Feels Gonna Feel by Covox
7. Hello by YMCK
8. Sweet Dance by YMCK
9. Door by Covox
10. Space Walk by Tanikugu
11. Secret Dance by Tanikugu
12. Music by YMCK

rhythm zone RZCD-45357
Out 4/26, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon,

Six previously released versions of one of Wada Akiko's greatest hits, "ano kane o narasu no wa anata", are being released as an EP. Included are Konishi Yasuharu's version (from "Wada Akiko, Co., Ltd."), remixes by Jazztronik and Reggae Disco Rockers, and of course the original.

Wada Akiko "ano kane o narasu no wa anata"
和田アキ子 「あの金を鳴らすのはあなた」

1. ano kane o narasu no wa anata (Jazztronik Remix)
2. ano kane o narasu no wa anata (Reggae Disco Rockers Remix)
3. ano kane o narasu no wa anata (Konishi Yasuharu produced)
4. ano kane o narasu no wa anata (1991 New Version）
5. ano kane o narasu no wa anata (1972 Original)
6. ano kane o narasu no wa anata (Original karaoke)

Teichiku TECA-10053
Out 4/26, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Loki, graphic designer whose works you have seen on CD jackets of artists such as Cubismo Grafico Five, Harvard, Sunaga t̀ Experience, and Cymbals, is releasing a first DVD of visual works. The DVD will also feature music by Cubismo Grafico, TGMX, Harvard, Frog (Cymbals' Okii Reiji's solo project), and more.

The DVD will be sold only at Tower Records.

"Vanishingpoint" (DVD)

Loki VKLD-15001
Out 4/20, ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order:

coltemonikha "coltemonikha"
Track list, artwork, and link to samples added

Sunaga Tatsuo "A Letter from Allnighters"
Track list added

Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: EMI Edition"
Artwork added

As if there wasn't enough going on at the end of the month (for some surely inducing bar hopping or tough decisions), Japan's mambo ambassador Paradise Yamamoto (Tokyo Panorama Mambo Boys) is throwing a mambo party at Shinjuku Oto, where used to be held his successful regular event "Latin Panic!".
The event will feature a rare live show of Paradise Yamamoto and Tokyo Latin Mood Deluxe, featuring sexy mambo singer Sonoda Riruko!! Ahh----UGH!

(Photo from this 1997 article.)

Latin senka matsuri "haru da! Mambo da! Ruri-rin da"
「ラテン専科まつり」 "春だ！マンボだ！るりりんだ"
on 4/29 (Saturday)
at Shinjuku Oto

DJ: Paradise Yamamoto
Guest: Sonoda Riruko
Live: Paradise Yamamoto and Tokyo Latin Mood Deluxe

Price: ¥2000 (w/ 1 drink and a chance to win latin novelty treasures)

The end of the month will see Usagi-chang Records's 4th "mini" night, featuring the label's regular DJ roaster and a MissWonda mini live.

Let me use this occasion to remind PINE*am U.S. fans that the band will be playing in Los Angeles and Rochester (NY) within the next week. All details at their official Web site.

Usagi-chang "Mini" Night vol.0004

On 4/29 (Saturday) at Sangenjaya Chrome
From 23:00 until 5:00
Price: ¥2000 (2 drinks)

DJs: Aki (Sonic Coaster Pop/Usagi-chang), Inocchi☆ (frottage/Usagi-chang), Midori (YMCK), michi & yuki (macdonald duck eclair), Sano Tomohiro (Micro Mach Machine), Takashi Tsugumi (PINE*am), Imai Kentarō (Aprils), Yuppa (Hazel Nuts Chocolate), Furuya (shiryō), Pyokn
Mini live: MissWonda
VJs: panoramagic, high_land, Iwakiri Naoto (Codomo inc.)
Talk show: Inocchi☆, Ishikawa Kei (Young Tongue), ...

It's Doopee Time!

Yann Tomita is back!... and he's not alone but with the mysterious Caroline Novac of the Doopees! This new EP contains music by 4 different names all of which involve himself. Aside from the Doopees, there's a new unit called Naives together with Itō Seikō and Takagi Kan, and two other units that seem to be Yann's monikers.
This release is accompanied by a book ("Forever Yann Music Meme 1") sold separately.

More releases of this series are expected for the two months following this release, climaxing in July with —I hope you're well seated— a 2nd Doopees album (after over 10 years!)!

Yann Tomita "Forever Yann Music Meme 2"
ヤン富田 「フォーエバー・ヤン ミュージック・ミーム2」

1. Doopees "daijo-bu"
2. Naives "Forever Young"
3. Forever Yann "Forever Yann"
4. de yanns "sou de yanns"

Audio Science Laboratory/bounce/NMNL ASL-RS0001
Out 5/25, ¥1239 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Kinbara Chieko "Strings of Life"
Track list (including producers) added

Pizzicato Five "pizzicato five we dig you"
All songs can now be sampled at Columbia's Pizzicato Five page

Matsudaira Ken "Matsuken no AWA odori" (CD+DVD)
Track list added, includes Konishi Yasuharu remix

Various Artists "Crue-L Future"
Artwork added

Nomoto Karia "hitomi no naka no Mirror Ball" "Bubbly" (Download)
Link to samples added

Finally, Kiiiiiii's first DVD is ready for release! For those not in the know, Kiiiiiii is an indies performance unit of u.t and Lakin, two cute girls who sing and drum nursury rhyme-like songs in English in the privacy of their bedroom, or so they think. Their unique show being very visual, it's only natural, and better for humanity, that they release on DVD.
Aside from 13 songs, the disk is sure to hold a bunch of surprises!

Official release page on Kiiiiiii's site

Kiiiiiii "Gold & Silver" (DVD)

1. Kiiiiiii
2. 4little joeys
3. Aussie O's bomb
4. kk lala
5. kiiidding
6. tennis girl meets U2
7. headshoulder
8. Kiiiiiii for any occasion...or just for fun!
9. dancevader biber-hill pop
10. hello darkness
11. carp & sheep
12. words of wisdom ~ be honest
13. wishing the penguin star
... and more!

Best Pet BPDV-001
Out 4/21, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, Direct Japan order, Direct international order
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Kinbara Chieko will be giving a live show shortly after the release of her new album "Strings of Life". She says it will be her first "one man" live (meaning a long show with no front act).

Kinbara Chieko live
on 6/11
at Daikanyama Unit

Opens at 20:00, starts at 21:00
Price: tickets ¥3000 (Pia 222-914, Lawson 39045, e+) +drink

Violonist Kinbara Chieko, who has many ties within Japan's club and Shibuya-kei scenes, will have a 4th solo album released this May on Ide Yasushi's Grand Gallery label. She says that the whole album will be house!

The album will contain title tracks of the three 12" singles released this April, featuring artists Blaze and Kaskade, and will also feature many internationally reknown producers, along with Ide Yasushi who produced most of her first three albums.

Kinbara Chieko "Strings of Life"
金原千恵子 「Strings of Life」

1. If You Only (Produced by Kaskade)
2. For Your Love feat. Josh Milan (Blaze) (Produced by Ide Yasushi)
3. Time To Love (Produced by Blaze)
4. Summer Love (Produced by Louie Vega)
5. Heart On Fire (Produced by Ananda Project)
6. Stay With Me (Produced by Rusumus Faber)
7. Tudo Vai Mudar (Produced by Kaleidoscopio)
8. El Caravanero (Produced by Ide Yasushi)
9. Strings Of Life (Produced by Ide Yasushi)

Grand Gallery GRGA-0012
Out 5/24, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Romantica "La nuit de Romantica"
For those who haven't yet picked it up, Romantica's DVD is being re-re-released again at the end of the month with a new catalog number. The old entry has been updated.

capsule "FRUITS CLiPPER"
Track list and artwork added!

columbia*readymade idol Nomoto Karia will have two new songs released for download at the end of the month. Of course, both are produced by Konishi Yasuharu, and are at Karly's favorite BPM: 135. Konishi-san claims "hitomi no naka ni Mirror Ball" to be 2006-style disco kayō, and "Bubbly" is cute and colorful hip house that may remind of Betty Boo.

45-second samples at columbia*readymade's news page

Nomoto Karia "hitomi no naka ni Mirror Ball" (Download)
野本かりあ 「瞳の中にミラーボール」
Sample/buy: ¥200

Nomoto Karia "Bubbly" (Download)
野本かりあ 「バブリイ」
Sample/buy: ¥200

Also to be released is a remixed instrumental version of "hitomi no naka no Mirror Ball". As Konishi-san feels it wouldn't be right to release an instrumental under Karia's name, it will be under a new pseudonym that he expects to use at other occasions.

Readymade Boogie Tech "konya wa Boogie Tech" (Download)
Readymade Boogie Tech 「今夜はブギーテック」
Sample/buy: ¥200

columbia*readymade
All out on 4/26, ¥200 each (download)
Sample/buy whole single: ¥600

Matsudaira Ken is back with a new to-be-smash-hit. After going samba and even mambo, Matsuken is back to his roots with awa-odori (Japanese dance practiced on parades in summer festivals). The song will be used in the promotion for Matsuken's upcoming film "baruto no gakuen".
The CD will contain a remix by Konishi Yasuharu, and the package will also include a DVD including a video clip of the title track and also a trailer of "baruto no gakuen".
Out... on Konishi day.

Official release page with audio and video samples
Matsudaira Ken fan site in English and German

Matsudaira Ken "Matsuken no AWA odori" (CD+DVD)
松平健 「マツケンのAWA踊り」

1. Matsuken no AWA odori
2. Matsuken no AWA odori (Readymade abarenbō jump up 2006) (Remixed by Konishi Yasuharu)
3. Matsuken Samba II ondo
4. Matsuken no AWA odori (Karaoke)
5. Matsuken Samba II ondo (Karaoke)

Geneon GNCL-0016
Out 5/24, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, Amazon U.S.

U.S. indie electronic label Audio Dregs, that has more than a few ties with Japan, will be passing by Tokyo early May during a tour organized by magazine Afterhours.

In Tokyo, artists that will perform are fantastic dreamy casio band Lullatone from Nagoya, Yūichirō Fujimoto, label boss E*Rock, and also piana.

For more details of the tour, including Nagoya and Kyoto dates, check the flyer.

After Hours presents Closet Mix #18
Audio Dregs Japan Tour 2006
on 5/6 (Saturday)
at Shibuya O-Nest

Live:
Lullatone
Yūichirō Fujimoto
E*Rock
piana

Opens at 18:30, starts at 19:00
Price: tickets ¥2500 (Pia 222-507, Lawson 36035), door ¥3000, +drink

And, Lullatone will also be performing the day before with Kishino You-ichi's Watts Towers in Akihabara.

Watts Towers WanWan Concert
on 5/5 (Friday, holiday)
at Akihabara Club Goodman

Opens at 19:00, starts at 19:30
Open price (+drink)

Not enough contemode for your spring? Along with the new capsule and coltemonikha releases, there's also a new COPTER4016882 12-track album on its way! The unit's lead member Ukai Yasuhiro has also been active lately as part of the successful club pop unit Utrecht.

The CD will include a video clip for song "Light".

COPTER4016882 "2D2D"
コプター4016882 「2D2D」

contemode YCCC-10006
Out 5/10, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

(Track list to be added when available.)

Still on the Tei Towa side, he's produced the first single of 21-year old Ayuse Kozue, new singer-songwriter of Japan's club scene. This is the first since of a series of three, to be released one per month, though only this one is produced by Tei Towa. The next ones will be produced respectively by Giorgio Cancemi and Takahashi Taku (m-flo).

The single is also already available as 12", and it has stayed #1 on Cisco's 12" house chart for 3 weeks last month.

Ayuse Kozue "boyfriend"
鮎瀬梢 「boyfriend」

1. boyfriend
2. C.M.M
3. boyfriend (Rasmus Raber Remix)
4. boyfriend (Original Ver. Instrumental)

Toy's Factory TFCC-89162
Out 4/19, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, YesAsia,

Buy iTunes Japan Music Cards at Amazon

Tei Towa is back with a 3rd house compilation of his popular "Motivation" series. Artwork by Stephen "ESPO" Powers.
The limited edition will include a sticker of the jacket.

Various Artists "Motivation 3 compiled by Towa Tei"

1. M-Gee feat. Mica Paris / Bodyswerve (Grant Nelson Remix)
2. Joey Negro / Make A Move On Me (Joey Negro Club Mix)
3. Steve Mac Vs Mosquito Featuring Steve Smith / Lovin' You More (That Big Track)
4. Freemasons feat. Amanda Wilson / Watchin (Dub Mix)
5. Pryda / Aftermath
6. MJ Cole feat. Laura Vane / Watertight (Napt Broke Beat Mix)
7. Spirit Catcher / Dirty Circuit (Lifting Live Mix)
8. Sandy Rivera / I Can't Stop (Pound Boys Homage Remix)
9. Donnie / Do You Know? (Dfa Remix)
10. Harrison Crump / Ride (Club Mix)

cutting edge CTCR-14458
Out 4/19, ¥2427 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, Amazon U.S.

See also:
"Motivation - Songs for Make-up" (#1)
"Motivation - Driving Sweets" (#2)

Fashion designer Kate Sakai ("Kate" read in English, or Keito) of brand Colkinikha teams up with capsule's Nakata Yasutaka for this first mini-album of new unit coltemönikha (a mix of "contemode" and "colkinikha").

Samples at contemode's news page (click "詳細" at the right of the coltemonikha CD to get to the right page)

coltemonikha "coltemonikha"

1. fantastic fantasy
2. sora tobu hikari
3. communication
4. CLM
5. Party kyaroneido
6. Yum yum yummy
7. arikui Waltz

contemode YCCC-10007
Out 5/17, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Accompanying the release of "pizzicato five we dig you" (formerly entitled "5 minutes of pizzicato five") will be released two 12"'s containing 8 of the cut-ups.
Art direction is of course by Konishi-san. The cover of #1 says "Pizzicatomania no minasan, konban wa." ("To all Pizzicatomaniacs, good evening.", and #2 says "banji kaichou desu." ("everything's perfect!" (the japanese title of song "tout va bien"!)).
Both are limited to only 1000 copies, and will probably be go rare a few days after release.

Pizzicato Five "pizzicato five we dig you for vinyl 1" (12")

A1. Tokiwa Hibiki "Pizzicato Five no kangaeta koto wa nan desuka"
A2. Cubismo Grafico "PizziCUT Five UP Anthems"
B1. Kawanishi Suguru "A revolt of turntable & p5"
B2. Handsomeboy Technique "Yikes! Peach Cut 5'24"!!"

columbia*readymade 52401
Out 5/24, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

Pizzicato Five "pizzicato five we dig you for vinyl 2" (12")

A1. Boot Beat "exam from 524"
A2. Halfby "pizzichannelesson 5~ HALFBY no josei jōi jidai"
B1. Yoshida Tetsuto "The Ultimate Pizzicato Lesson 5-4-3-2-1"
B2. Sunaga t̀ Experience "radio P5"

columbia*readymade 52402
Out 5/24, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

(Thanks to Jon for the tip!)

Pizzicato Five "pizzicato five we dig you"
Title changed (from "5 minutes of pizzicato five")! Track list added!

Sunaga t̀ Experience, the solo unit of Sunaga Tatsuo, will play a first ever live concert! That's not just a DJ show, as he will be accompanied by a rhythm section plus 3 wind instruments. Performed will be songs from the forthcoming album "A Letter from Allnighters" and also songs from previous albums, and as a bonus jazz singer akiko will also make a guest appearance.
A show that's certainly not to be missed.

"World Standard" Sunaga t̀ Experience first live
on 4/28 (Friday)
at Daikanyama Air (map)

Live: Sunaga t̀ Experience
Guest vocal: akiko

Main DJs:
Sunaga Tatsuo
Little Big Bee a.k.a. Takamiya Eitetsu
Lounge DJ: DJ Nori's special long classic set

Opening: Nishiyama Takashi
VJ: Second Living Projects

Starts at 22:00
Price: ¥3000 (w/ 1 drink), or ¥2500 (w/ 1 drink) for Air members, Flower Records mailing list members and those with flyer
18+ only, ID required.
It seems there will be no pre-sold tickets, so it's recommended to get there early if you want to get in.

Various Artists "Tribute to yes, mama ok?"
To be released on 4/20! Artwork added.

After about a year since the first teasers, Crue-L Records' compilation of new music "Crue-L Future" is coming out this May!

Various Artists "Crue-L Future"
Compiled by Kenji Takimi

1. Crue-L Grand Orchestra / (You Are) More Than Paradise (Luger E-GO Re-Edit)
2. Port of Notes / Walk Through Happiness (Lindstrom Remix)
3. Spikewave / Inspiration Information (Kaoru Inoue Remix Beatless)
4. Crue-L Grand Orchestra / Spend The Day Without You (EYE Remix#2)
5. Takuji aka Geetek feat DJ Kentaro and DSK / Every Little Step
6. Fran-Key / Tetrapod Love
7. Luger E-Go / A Trader In Furs Living In Exile
8. No Ma / O.K.alright
9. Fujiwara Hiroshi / Away Dub (Heavy#1)
10. DSK / Gentle Slope
11. Break Even Point / Death of a Hills Dancer

Crue-L KYTHMAK100DA
Out 5/19, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

InK "C-46"
Artwork and limited edition details added!

Kinbara Chieko "Strings of Life" / "Time To Love" / "If You Only" (12")
Artwork added for "Strings of Life", release date of this one changed to 4/3 (out now!)

"komaneko - hajime no ippo" (DVD)
Artwork added

After all those compilations released recently, it has finally come: a new Sunaga t̀ Experience album! This will be Sunaga Tatsuo's 3rd solo album, and might be yet a bit more jazzy than the previous ones.
Out on Konishi day (5/24).

Sunaga t̀ Experience "A Letter from Allnighters"

1. Jazz All Nighthers narr. Tachiki Fumihiko
2. In Case of Emergency
3. Metropoli
4. Love is a Bird feat. Sheila Landis
5. Nostargic Eyes feat. Arisaka Mika
6. Versiliana Samba
7. Dig the Nu Breed
8. A Healing Blue feat. Sheila Landis
9. High at “NOON” (Dedicate to NOON Osaka) feat. Arvin Homa Aya
10. Sasuke
11. Cuba Libre
12. Edward Hopper
13. Versiliana Samba The Five Comers Quintet Version (Bonus track)

Flower Records FLRC-045
Out 5/24, ¥2580 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon