Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Kahimi Karie's next release is to be her first video project. Shot in Morocco and featuring herself, the so-called road movie is said to be like a long music video or a moving photo book. Music will be performed by Ōtomo Yoshihide, and should include 5 songs sung (or maybe recited) by Kahimi.

A brand new album by Kahimi is expected in October. She also has a part in the dramatic film "ichiban kirei na mizu" that will start playing on October 7 at Shibuya Cine Quinto (and elsewhere).

Kahimi Karie "Kochab" (DVD)
(4:3 / 45 min. / Region 2)

1. Kochab
2. yobitsugi
3. sono hoka ni
4. All Is Splashing Now
5. Camelia
6. You Are Here For A Light
7. Lemon Juice no ame

Victor VIBL-344
Out 10/4, ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (25% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

̄Wada Akiko will sing famous Japanese songs from the 70s and 80s on this cover album. Sound producers will include Konishi Yasuharu, Shirai Ryōmei (Moonriders), Jazztronik, Asamoto Hirofumi (Ram Jam World), and Kubota Haruo (Pearl Brothers, Girl Girl Girl).

Samples at official release page

Wada Akiko "kyō made soshite ashita kara"
和田アキ子 「今日までそして明日から」

1. ano hi ni kaeritai (Arai Yumi)
2. kaze o atsumete (Happy End)
3. shunkashūtō (Izumiya Shigeru)
4. Time Machine ni onegai (Sadistic Mica Band)
5. kyō made soshite ashita kara (Yoshida Takurō)
6. ame agari no yozora ni (RC Succession)
7. jōnetsu shōbi (The Blue Hearts)
8. sukanpin (Moonriders)
9. bara to Wine (Red Warriors)
10. Let's Dance Baby (Yamashita Tatsurō)
11. nayami ooki mono yo (Saitō Tetsuo)

Teichiku TECE-28660
Out 9/27 10/25, ¥2800
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, Amazon U.S.

A new remix 12" from Crue-L Grand Orchestra, out now!

Crue-L Grand Orchestra "(You are) More Than Paradise (Luger E-Go Re-Edit)" (12")

A. (You are) More Than Paradise (Luger E-Go Re-Edit)
AA. Spend The Day Without You (EYE Remix#2)

Crue-L KYTHMAK100-1
Out 7/29, ¥1300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

After several years of activity as an electronic music artist in and out of Japan, Midori Hirano finally has a first album to soon be released by MIDI Creative's noble label. Her 2004 CD-R EP "poet at the piano", released on Luxembourg label soundzfromnowhere, is available for download at archive.org.
The album's artwork is by Audrey Fondecave of magazine OK Fred.

Midori Hirano "LushRush"

1. lush rush
2. ancient story in the room
3. calling
4. secret aria
5. night wish
6. inori
7. another root
8. dim
9. leaving

MIDI Creative / noble CXCA-1197
Out 9/25, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Multi-talent Shinohara Tomoe will take the band singer role in a new comedy play called "Jail Breakers" about prisoners who coordinate a rock concert in jail, in the middle of which they plan to escape. Sounds like a lot of fun! The lead role will be played by Tokio's Matsuoka Masahiro.

Jail Breakers (Play)
ジェイルブレイカーズ

Written and directed by G2

Strarring
Matsuoka Masahiro
Sudō Risa
Kawahara Masahiko
Shinohara Tomoe
Kuwata Kong
Mikami Ichirō
Kugasawa Tōru
Uemoto Jun
Kawahara Masatsugu
Maeda Satoru
Kubo Chukichi
Ōtaka Hirō

Jail Breakers official site

At Tokyo Globe-za (Ōkubo) from 10/6 until 10/23
Price: S seat ¥8800, A seat ¥7700, B seat ¥5500
Tickets on sale 7/29 10:00 (Pia 370-065, Lawson 31460)

Also in Osaka on 10/28 and 10/29

This one almost slipped through... Producer Tanaka Yusuke's new project Q.,indivi has a first release out now on Felicity's citys label. The producer is best known for Yuki's "Joy" and Halcali's "Tips Taps Tip". Included is a bonus remix CD with remixes by Halfby, Cubismo Grafico and Riddim Saunter.

Q.,indivi "ComeBAby"

CD 1
1. a prelude
2. ComeBAby
3. Just
4. stay Awake
5. shine

CD 2
6. ComeBAby (this is the Halfby Remix)
7. Just (Riddim Saunter Remix)
8. stay Awake (*cbsmgrfc Mixx Beauty Mixx)

citys MTCD-5016/17
Out 7/26, ¥1800
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Hase Hajimu has a new 7" out imminently, featuring two tracks from his latest album "Camp" plus a brand new one.

Audio samples at highcontrast

Hase Hajimu "4 Minutes of Gimmick in San Juan" (7")
はせはじむ 「4 Minutes of Gimmick in San Juan」

A1. 4 Minutes of Gimmick in San Juan
B1. McCarran Swing
B2. Tengallon

highcontrast recordings HCR-9629
Out 7/28, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Barely a year after "Soul Punch", Crazy Ken Band will release a full-length album again this year. This new album will include the just-out single "merimeri" and also feature collaborations with artists such as Fire Ball, Papa B, and Q (Rappa gariya).

Crazy Ken Band "Galaxy"

1. Intro: Galaxy
2. Hama no Ambassador (with Fire Ball & Papa-B)
3. Amanogawa
4. eye catch: ginga no ma
5. Merimeri
6. Shock Hawaiian Shock
7. konton ryōri
8. Growl: tamashii no unari
9. I Wanna gecchora (with Q from Rappagariya)
10. yukkuri haneru ongaku
11. oretachi umibōzu
12. Honolulu BBQ
13. eye catch: How zit
14. aki ni nacchatta
15. kuroi kizuato no Blues
16. dokuro machi Twist
17. Playboy Twist
18. minisuka hakosuka Yokohama Yokosuka
19. B.B.B.B.B.
20. eye catch: Galaxy 4 Fantasy
21. Button no kake chigai
22. 12gatsu 17nichi
23. eye catch: Oriental Souvenir
24. omake!: nikushokukei

Ridin' High BSCL-30041
Out 9/20, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, , Amazon U.S.

Readymade boss Hasebe Chisai is having her first book, "yūkan Mademoiselle", reissued in a new edition with corrections and additions, and a new design.

Hasebe Chisai's "secret" diary

Hasebe Chisai "yūkan Mademoiselle" (Book)
長谷部千彩 「有閑マドモアゼル」

Kōbunsha ISBN 4334784291
Out 9/5, ¥686 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

A second album by fine indies band Yucca is coming out on abcdefg*record.

Yucca "the orange sun in my room"

1. Seaside Music Labo
2. Y
3. Palette
4. Mere Theory
5. Underground Organization
6. Ninja Plays Mustang
7. Com
8. Yucca Sounds
9. Etude
10. Struck Down By A Lightning And The Storm

abcdefg*record a-g033
Out 8/9, ¥2520
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Tongarikids' vocalist Nipopo, who has previously remixed Nomiya Maki loves m-flo's "Big Bang Romance", has a first solo album coming up. Tongarikids are best known for a hip-hop track sampling Super Mario Brothers' theme.
The album comes in two flavors: regular edition (CD only) and limited edition (CD+DVD). Random limited edition packages are said to contain a Nameneko driver's license.

Nipopo "tongarikick.exe"
ニポポ 「tongarikick.exe」

1. Intro
2. D-Push
3. o New Face Summer
4. airport Ibaraki '96
5. electria
6. sonota no zasshu 48
7. Ha-Shi-Ya-Su-Mix
8. Techno no temariuta
9. Deutsch-sei no megane

DVD (limited edition only)
1. D-push! (video clip)
2. o New Face Summer (video clip)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Tokuma TKCA-73072
Out 7/26, ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (10% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
Tokuma TKCA-73073
Out 7/26, ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Various Artists "'otoko wa sore o gaman dekinai' Original Soundtrack" (CD+DVD)
Track list added

Perfume "Perfume ~Complete Best~" (CD+DVD)
Track list, DVD details and artwork added

Cornelius "Music"
Artwork added (small)

Sexy idol Mai has appointed Nomiya Maki in the role of "visual producer" for her nude bodypainting photo booklets that will accompany the upcoming first album "Maiself".
The music features arrangements by Coldfeet, Takahashi Yukihiro, and others. Worth a check!

The album will come in two editions: CD+DVD or CD-only. If you want it all beware, each edition contains a different photo booklet, and the CD-only edition has a bonus track. The DVD contains a video clip and also a look behind the scenes into the making of the intriguing photo booklets.

Mai "Maiself"
舞 「Maiself」

1. Reborn
2. It's a little luck
3. Precious moment
4. Rosy Rosa Lollipop
5. Princess Candy
6. Bye Bye Blues
7. Here we go again
8. Sincerely yours
9. Eyes
10. te o tsunagō
11. mōshiwake Single Mega Mix (Bonus track on CD-only edition)

DVD (CD+DVD edition only)
1. Reborn (Music video)
2. Eyes (Music video)
3. Princess Candy (Music video)
4. Body Painting ga kansei suru made nado Off-shot eizō

CD+DVD edition (with photo booklet A)
rhythm zone RZCD-45436
Out 9/6, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (10% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

CD-only edition (with bonus track and photo booklet B)
rhythm zone RZCD-45437
Out 9/6, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Kawakami Tsuyoshi and His Moodmakers' next album will be a collection of vocal covers, original songs and remixes featuring many collaborators such as Nomiya Maki ("Luna Cruise" first released on her album "Lady Miss Warp"), Wada Akiko, Matsudaira Ken, Takahashi Yukihiro, Bonnie Pink and more.

Kawakami Tsuyoshi and His Moodmakers "Singers Limited"
川上つよしと彼のムードメイカーズ 「Singers Limited」

(Title / artist)
1. Daydream Believer / Kawakami Tsuyoshi and His Moodmakers feat. Ryoji & Rankin' Taxi
2. Ice Ball
3. kitto ieru / Kawakami Tsuyoshi and His Moodmakers (vocals Furuuchi Toko)
4. I Fought The Law
5. Your Eyes / Bonnie Pink
6. Something / Kawakami Tsuyoshi and His Moodmakers (vocals Takahashi Yukihiro)
7. One Step Forward / Kawakami Tsuyoshi and His Moodmakers (vocals Takeda Kaori)
8. luna cruise / Nomiya Maki
9. One On One (Vocal)
10. You'll Never Get To Heaven / Kawakami Tsuyoshi and His Moodmakers (vocals Takeda Kaori)
11. Matsuken Samba II (tatake Bongo version) / Matsudaira Ken
12. inori (Moodmakers Remix) / Keyco
13. yoku aru koto janai (Kawakami Tsuyori to kare no Moodmakers Remix) / Wada Akiko
14. Cry Moon

Rhythm Zone RZCD-45442
Out 9/13, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, , Amazon U.S.

Buy iTunes Japan Music Cards at Amazon

I'm not buying this, not for its full price anyway, but boy idol group SMAP's upcoming album has a cover of Nat King Cole's "L-O-V-E" arranged by Konishi Yasuharu. Another notable collaboration is first track "Theme of 018" by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone) feat. Groovy Sauce Crew. Worth a stop at the listening station.

SMAP "Pop Up! SMAP"

CD 1
1. Theme of 018
2. TAKE OFF
3. Nai Yai Yai
4. Simple
5. paripia!
6. Triangle
7. moai
8. Call Your Number
9. hoshizora no shita de
10. daijōbu
11. STAY
12. Dear WOMAN

CD 2
1. onna no ko to LOVE SONG
2. kimi ga iru
3. L-O-V-E
4. TOKIO
5. Everybody

Limited edition box
Victor VICL-62111/2
Out 7/26, ¥3600
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, Amazon U.S.

Regular edition
Victor VICL-62113/4
Out 7/26, ¥3600
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

I hadn't even realized it was out already, but doing an occasional search on Amazon for his name, there it was! My friend Woodrow Phoenix' book about Japanese toy figures as art is finally out, and features artists Murakami Takashi, Nara Yoshitomo, Mizuno Junko, Michael Lau, Eric So and more.
I'll be running to the bookstore.

Official page at Kōdansha

Woodrow Phoenix "Plastic Culture - How Japanese Toys Conquered the World" (Book)
ウッドロー・フェニックス 「プラスティック・カルチャー」

112 pages, B5 format (19x25cm), hard cover

Kōdansha
ISBN: 4-7700-3017-7
Out now (6/14), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, Amazon U.S. (The U.S. edition will be out in September)

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, entertainment agency Watanabe Productions has enlisted Osaka DJ unit p&art sasanooooha to create a remixed non-stop mix of G.S., comedy and idol songs. Without a doubt, this is the unique craziness of Pansasa's live performances, for the first time all approved and on a CD. Also being released is a similar compilation by DJ Mitsy (rōmaji sp?) taking care of the kayōkyoku and J-Pop hits. Each CD has 50 tracks!

Various Artists "Watanabe Productions setsuritsu 50shūnen Mix CD ~G.S, Comic Song & Idol hen~ mixed by p&art sasanoooha mōshiwake West"
オムニバス 「渡辺プロダクション設立50周年MIX CD ～G・S、コミックソング＆アイドル編～ mixed by パンダとササノハ申し訳WEST」

1. Crazy Cats / musekinin kazoe uta
2. The Drifters / dorifu no zundoko fushi
3. Okumura Chiyo / koi no dorei
4. The Drifters / dareka san to dareka san
5. The Drifters / dorifu no hayakuchi kotoba
6. Itami Sachio / aoi mugi
7. Crazy Cats / atto odoroku Tamegorō
8. Crazy Cats / donto fushi
9. Candies / shochū omimai mōshiagemasu
10. Candies / Heart dorobō
11. Amachi Mari / koi suru natsu no hi
12. The Tigers / kimi dake ni ai o
13. The Tigers / Sea Sea Sea
14. Aizaki Shinya / koi no Pendant
15. The Tigers / Seaside Bound
16. The Drifters / bonmawari (dorifu butaikae no Theme)
17. The Drifters / Go West
18. The Drifters / 8ji dayo! zenin shūgō
19. Agnes Chan / koi no Seesaw Game
20. Nakao Emi / kataomoi
21. Shiro and Bread & Butter / yasei no uma
22. Mori Shinichi / erimomasaki
23. Agnes Chan / hinageshi no hana
24. Agnes Chan / sōgen no kagayaki
25. The Drifters / dorifu no tsu-rero fushi
26. Okumura Chiyo / uso de mo ii kara
27. Okumura Chiyo / koi dorobō
28. Okumura Chiyo / koigurui
29. Henmi Mari / Daniel Mon Amour
30. Miki Seiko / koi no Stadium
31. Komatsu Masao / Komatsu no oyabun-san
32. Komatsu Masao / Densenman no densen ondo
33. Ueki Hitoshi / su-tara fushi
34. The Drifters / chotto dake yo! zenin shūgō!!
35. The Wild Ones / hana no Young Town
36. Henmi Mari / keiken
37. Candies / anata ni muchū
38. Agnes Lum / sayonara wa iwanai
39. Jackey Yoshikawa and His Blue Comets / Bleu Chateau
40. Hana Hajime and Crazy Cats / unjarage
41. The Drifters / yagibushi
42. Ōta Hiromi / momen no Handkerchief
43. Ayukawa Yumi / watashitachi
44. Yamaguchi Izumi / midori no kisetsu
45. Koyanagi Rumiko / seto no hanayome
46. The Wild Ones / omoide no nagisa
47. The Launchers / mafuyu no kaerimichi
48. Sono Mari / anata no toriko
49. Toi et Moi / chikyū wa mawaru yo
50. The Drifters / rabauru kouta

Rhythm Zone RZCD-45414
Out 7/26, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Also released at the same time is a Kayō-kyoku and J-Pop mix CD by DJ Mitsy (romaji sp?).

Various Artists "Watanabe Productions setsuritsu 50shūnen Mix CD ~kayōkyoku & J-Pop hen~ mixed by DJ Mitsy mōshiwake"
オムニバス 「渡辺プロダクション設立50周年MIX CD ～歌謡曲＆J-POP編～ mixed by DJミッツィ申し訳」

1. nabepuro mōshiwake Mega-Mix
1-1. Yamashita Kumiko / ririsu VS Kuwae Tomoko / Crystal Honeymoon (mōshiwake Mash-Up)
1-2. Marcia / shakunetsu... Saudade ~Amor Saudade~
1-3. Kawai Sonoko / aoi Station
1-4. Ann Lewis / Roppongi shinchū
1-5. Kikkawa Kōji / La vie en rose
1-6. Yamashita Kumiko / sekidō komachi doki!
1-7. Ann Lewis / Woman (mōshiwake West Side Remix)
1-8. bless 4／Good Morning! Mr. Sunshine
1-9. Fuse Akira / kimi wa bara yori utsukushii
1-10. Kuwae Tomoko / watashi no Heart wa Stop Motion
1-11. Rag Fair / Magical koi no Power VS Ōsawa Yoshiyuki / soshite boku wa tohō ni kureru (mōshiwake Mash-Up)
1-12. Yamashita Kumiko / ririsu
1-13. honpen kaishi no Buzzer on
2. Sugiyama Kōichi / The Hit Parade
3. bless 4 / Good Morning! Mr. Sunshine
4. Kuwae Tomoko / watashi no Heart wa Stop Motion
5. Fuse Akira / kimi wa bara yori utsukushii
6. Rag Fair / sora ga kirei
7. INSPi / chippoke na boku ni dekiru koto
8. bless 4 / Friendship
9. Ann Lewis / Woman
10. Yamashita Kumiko / Wonderful cha-cha
11. Ishikawa Hitomi / machibuse
12. Ōta Hiromi / renai yūgi
13. Koyanagi Rumiko / senaka de chotto I Love You
14. Fumidō / manatsu no Ecstacy
15. Ann Lewis / bara no kiseki
16. yuuyu / 25 Cent no mangetsu
17. Agnes Lum / Moonlight Bay
18. Rag Fair / raburabu na Couple furifuri de chu-
19. Ann Lewis / koi no Boogie Woogie Train
20. Kikkawa Kōji / subete wa kono yoru ni
21. Kikkawa Kōji / nikumaresou na New Face
22. Kikkawa Kōji / Monica
23. Kikkawa Kōji / sayonara wa 8gatsu no Lullaby
24. Ann Lewis / Roppongi shinchū
25. Yamashita Kumiko / kocchi o omuki yo Sophia
26. Fumidō / modokashisa kanaderu Blues (Brazilian Mix)
27. Marcia / shakunetsu... Saudade ~Amor Saudade~
28. KIX·S / Lovin' You
29. Triceratops / Fever
30. Kawai Sonoko / aoi Station
31. Ōta Hiromi / saraba Syberia tetsudō
32. Abe Asami / Our Song
33. Triceratops / Fall Again
34. Kikkawa Kōji / La vie en rose
35. Yamashita Kumiko / sekido komachi doki!
36. Matsumoto Akiko / osu mesu Kiss
37. Ōtaki Yūko / A Boy
38. Sakaue Toshie / Kiss no ojikan
39. Ishikawa Hitomi / himitsu no mori
40. Fumidō / rakuen o mezashite
41. Kuwae Tomoko / Crystal Honeymoon
42. Ōsawa Yoshiyuki / kanojo ni wa wakaranai ~Why don't you know~
43. Yamashita Kumiko / Single
44. Rag Fair / Magical koi no Power
45. Abe Asami / riyū
46. Yamashita Kumiko / ririsu
47. Ōsawa Yoshiyuki / soshite boku wa tohō ni kureru (1992 "naive" version)
48. Triceratops / if
49. Ōtaki Yūko / koi no Warming Up
50. Watanabe Shin & Six Joes / Theme (September In The Rain)

Rhythm Zone RZCD-45415
Out 7/26, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

Watanabe Productions 50th Anniversary Site

By the way, these CDs are said to be protected with a new curse-type CCCD-like protection, plain old CDs without any DRM or such evil technologies, but if you do copy them for illegal purposes you may expect hair to grow from your fingertips, or worse... so be warned!

The rap group on the watch lately, Asia Engineer, has another interesting release involving Konishi Yasuharu. The six-track 12" will include collaborations with Sugiurumn and DJ Spinna, the song "Tokyo 7" which heavily samples Pizzicato Five's "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" ("the night is still young"), and also a party tropical samba remix by Konishi-san involving steel drum and whistle (previously available on "Oh! Deluxe Maxi").

Asia Engineer "House of AE" (12")
エイジアエンジニア 「House of AE」

A1. Project AE with sugiurumn
A2. Project FU (Promo Only Version)
A3. Project AE (Instrumental)
B1. Tokyo 7 (Asia Engineer Samples Pizzicato Five)
B2. Like Water with DJ Spinna
B3. Grooving Loop (Readymade Weedend Mix 05)

Rhythm Republic RR12-88484
Out 7/31, ¥1239 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

A boxed set containing all three Lupin the 3rd remix CDs first released in 1998-2000, and a new bonus disc of originals plus two new remixes by Kawanishi Suguru and Boot Beat.
Package art direction by Konishi Yasuharu.

Various Artists "Punch the Monkey! Box"

CD 1
1. Lupin the 3rd '80 (Latin & Calucatta Mix)
2. Lupin the 3rd '78 (Walther P99 Mix)
3. Lupin the 3rd '78 (Club Escape Mix)
4. Lupin the 3rd shudaika I (F.P.M's Reconstruction Mix)
5. Lupin the 3rd shudaika 3 (The Readymade Young Oh! Oh! Mix)
6. Funny Walk In Old Fashion (Mori No Blend Mix)
7. Afro Rock Theme (Rock Afro Mix)
8. hijōsentoppa (You & Explosion Mix)
9. Love Squall (Fujiko's Love Mix)
10. Lupin the 3rd '80 (Sunaga T Experience 9849 Mix)
11. Lupin the 3rd shudaika II (Bossa 98 Mix)

CD 2
1. Lupin the 3rd '78
2. Lupin the 3rd no Theme (Theme From Lupin ~e~)
3. Lupin the 3rd '78 ~ Afro Rock Theme
4. Lupin the 3rd shudaika I~II
5. Love Squall (Pansasa Love Anthem Mix)
6. Lupin the 3rd shudaika 3 (isshun no maguwai inu Mix)
7. Lupin the 3rd shudaika 3 (Akakage's Happy Set)
8. Lupin the 3rd '78 (Melting Version)
9. Lupin the 3rd '78
10. Love Squall (M & M Bossa Bass Space)

CD 3
1. Lupin the 3rd '97 Readymade 440 Mix
2. Super Hero 8-bits Wonder Mix
3. Lupin the 3rd shudaika 3 Readymade 524 Mix
4. Lupin the 3rd shudaika 3 We Love Lupin III Mix
5. hijōsentoppa Club Mix
6. Lupin the 3rd ai no Theme kūsō Live Mix
7. Samba Temperado Cinema Edit
8. Lupin the 3rd ai no Theme Muro's Love Bank Mix
9. Lupin the 3rd no Theme Ckb shiyō
10. Lupin the 3rd '80 A Fool's Paradise Mix

CD 4
1. Lupin the 3rd '80/'89 (Boot Beat no gottani Mix) (remixed by Boot Beat)
2. Lupin the 3rd '80 (Lupin Stole A Sound) (remixed by Kawanishi Suguru)
3. Lupin the 3rd '80
4. Lupin the 3rd '78
5. Lupin the 3rd shudaika I (Charlie Kosei)
6. Lupin the 3rd shudaika 3 (Yoshirō Hiroishi)
7. Funny Walk In Old Fashion
8. Afro Rock Theme
9. hijōsentoppa
10. Love Squall (Sandra Horn)
11. Lupin the 3rd shudaika II (Charlie Kosei)
12. Lupin the 3rd no Theme (Vocal Version) (Pete Mac Jr.)
13. Super Hero (Tommy Snyder)
14. Lupin the 3rd ai no Theme (Mizuki Ichirō)
15. Samba Temperado

columbia*readymade COCP-50940
Out 9/20, ¥6000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, Amazon U.S.

Coco d'Or "Coco d'Or 2"
Track list added!

Nomoto Karia "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (12")
Release postponed until early August, because of familiar-sounding overseas press delays. Go Simon!

Various Artists "Motivation 4 Dusty Dance Hall compiled by Towa Tei"
Artwork added

Nomoto Karia's next track will be titled "jiyūdo." (translates to "degree of freedom") and will feature rap group Asia Engineer. Of course, the song is produced by Konishi Yasuharu, who has recently produced Asia Engineer's single "jiyū ni aruite ai shite / Tokyo 7".

Like her previous songs "hitomi no naka ni Mirrorball" and "Bubbly", this one will first be available for download through iTunes Music Store Japan and others.

Nomoto Karia feat. Asia Engineer "jiyūdo."
野本かりあ feat. アジアエンジニア 「自由度。」

columbia*readymade
Out 7/26 on Listen Japan
Out 8/2 on iTunes and others
Sample/Buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Second Royal artist Rufus will perform a free in-store live at Tower Records Shinjuku, promoting his album "Long Distance" that sounds very promising from the samples on his MySpace.

Rufus in-store live
on 8/3 (Thursday)
at Tower Records Shinjuku

Starts at 19:00
Price: Free!

Guitar pop unit Spaghetti Vabune! have a second album out next week. Tower Records offers a bonus CD-R containing remixes by Aprils and Hazel Nuts Chocolate, and a video directed by Iwakiri Naoto, while supplies last.

And if you missed the first album (or not), it's being released with a bonus tracks including brand new song "blueberry, very blue". All details below.

Spaghetti Vabune! "Guitar Pop Grand Prix!"

1. this is guitar pop!!
2. tiger
3. prime plumstar
4. cp
5. race U.K.
6. explosion
7. lesson2 - intermission
8. wendy
9. TYO
10. view
11. Que
12. katie

Tower Records bonus CD-R (while supplies last)
1. race U.K. (futari wa nakayoshi mix) (remixed by Hazel Nuts Chocolate)
2. view (De-Ja-View mix) (remixed by Aprils)
PV. prime plumstar (directed by Iwakiri Naoto)

bluebadge BBCD-013
Out 7/12, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order:

Spaghetti Vabune! "summer vacation, sunset vehicle -plus-"

1. Chocolate song
2. Pastel popcorn spring day
3. My summer summary
4. Favorite song
5. Biscuit
6. Lesson1 -intermission-
7. Pineapple shirts!
8. cherokee
9. Grasshopper
10. Three
11. Jetset star
12. Drive
13. Chocolate song (groove unchant tumbling mix) (remixed by groove unchant)
14. Blueberry,very blue
15. Cherokke (chocochip mix) (remixed by choco)
16. Jetset star (acoustic ver.)

bluebadge BBCD-014
Out 7/12, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order:

After having seen Shimokitazawa comedy "otoko wa sore o gaman dekinai", the new film by art director Shindō Mitsuo, I definitely need to get this making-of DVD!

"minna wa kore o 'kōkai made' gaman dekinai ~The Making of 'otoko wa sore o gaman dekinai~" (DVD)
「みんなはコレを“公開まで”我慢できない ~The Making of 男はソレを我慢できない~ 」
(Approx. 179 minutes + 29 minutes of bonus features / Color / 4:3 / Stereo / Region 2 NTSC)

Rentrak REDV-00513
Out 7/28, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Chabe seems to be busier with his gang of five than with his solo project lately. This summer will see the release of Cubismo Grafico Five's 3rd album!

Cubismo Grafico Five "Pop Pollution"

1. Third Adventure
2. Percy Percy Me
3. She Brought The Sun
4. Sound Girls Winie
5. Sing Like A Horn
6. Our Kick
7. E10
8. Pooh Stick Bridge
9. FOG13245
10. Queen Crimson
11. Saravah...

Niw! NIW-018
Out 8/25, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Just one month after upcoming single "Music", Cornelius will be back again with "Breezin'". Also on the single will be a cover of YMO's "Cue"! A new album titled "Sensuous" is expected for release on October 25. Stay tuned!

Breezin' announcement page at cornelius-sound.com

Cornelius "Breezin'"

1. Breezin'
2. Cue
3. Fit Song (The Books Remix "eat white paint")
4. Kling Klang

Warner WPCL-10340
Out 9/27, ¥1143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, Amazon U.S.

His jazzy album just out recently, here comes a 5th jazz compilation of record banchō Sunaga Tatsuo's "Allnighters" series. After Sony, Universal, Victor and Toshiba EMI, this is Columbia.

Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz Allnighters No.5"
オムニバス 「須永辰夫の夜ジャズ～Jazz Allnighters №5～」

(Title / Artist)
1. Nica's dream / Art Farmer
2. Three for you / The Invisible Session
3. Bohemia after dark / Kenny Clarke
4. My favorite things / The Louis Hayes Group
5. Fairytale / Fly
6. Light House / The Five Corners Quintet
7. watarase / Itabashi Fumio
8. Love you spell is everywhere / Curtis Fuller
9. Midsummer Sun / Our Theory
10. Summertime / Inomata Takeshi and Westliners
11. Libido~Mediterranean sundance / Akiko Grace
12. so-ran bushi / Hara Nobuo and his Sharp & Flats
13. Darn that dream / Joe Wilder

Columbia COCB-53558
Out 8/2, ¥2477 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, Amazon U.S.

Also:
"Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz Allnighters No.1" (Sony)
"Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz Allnighters No.2" (Universal)
"Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz Allnighters No.3" (Victor (Prestage/Riverside))
"Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz: Jazz Allnighters No.4" (Toshiba EMI)

Rocketman "Love, sea & music"
New title, artwork and track list added

Coco d'Or "Coco d'Or 2"
Title and artwork added

Various Artists "'otoko wa sore o gaman dekinai' Original Soundtrack"
Artwork added

Nintendo is releasing a series of simple-looking games for the Gameboy Advance, under the title "bit Generations", and at the relatively nice price of ¥2000 each. Of the first batch of three out on July 13, "Dialhex" gets my attention as it seems to be a new style of Tetris-like puzzle game.

Product page at Nintendo Japan
Official review site (in Japanese)

bit Generations "Dotstream"
Out 7/13, ¥2000
Order: Amazon (orders currently include a bonus Gameboy Micro 2-way strap worth ¥1050)

bit Generations "Boundish"
Out 7/13, ¥2000
Order: Amazon (orders currently include a bonus Gameboy Micro 2-way strap worth ¥1050)

bit Generations "Dialhex"
Out 7/13, ¥2000
Order: Amazon (orders currently include a bonus Gameboy Micro 2-way strap worth ¥1050)

Note: Amazon Japan doesn't ship games overseas.

Via Jean Snow, Joystiq

Part of Ebisu Liquid Room's 2nd anniversary celebrations, super-popular techno unit Denki Groove will play a first "one-man live" in over 6 years! Tickets are sure to run out very quickly, but I could secure mine at the venue's early reservations session that sold out in 3 minutes! :)

Denki Groove live
on 7/24 (Monday)
at Ebisu Liquid Room

Live: Denki Groove
VJ: Ukawa Naohiro

Opens/starts at 20:00
Price: advance ¥5000 (Pia 233-233, Lawson 38556, e+), door ¥5500, +drink

Plastic Folk, the folk/quiet rock unit of Nakanishi Toshio featuring Nomiya Maki, will preform a live show that can be seen for as cheap as ¥500! Their album "Billion Knives & Folks and Disk One" was released a few weeks ago.

Plastic Folk live
on 7/10 (Monday)
at Ebisu NOS

Live: Plastic Folk
Live members: Nakanishi Toshio (vocals, guitar), Nomiya Maki (vocals), Ōnishi Tsuru (Bass), Tsunoda Minoru (guitar)

DJs: Endō Sōmei, Chappie (no, not that Chappie)

Starts at 20:30
Price: seat+dinner min. ¥3000 (reservations), or standing ¥500

Nomoto Karia "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (12")
Correct track list and larger cover image added, release mid-July

Various Artists "Technoroid - Japanese 80's New Wave Sampler"
Artwork added

Asia Engineer "Jun-natsu" (CD+DVD)
Artwork added

This last day or two I've been preparing something new called Agenda: Magazine. This is a list of magazines featuring columns or interviews with some of my favorite artists. Each entry contains front cover (when available), featured artist names (in Japanese and rōmaji), edition number, and Web site and Amazon links (when any).

The main reason why I put this together is that I often end up in bookshops looking at magazines, and I can't ever remember what are the ones I needed to check out. Now as soon as I see magazine feature announcements on artist sites, I add the magazines to the list. The calendar page and its downloadable iCalendar version (works just fine on an iPod!) should then be enough to remind me what magazines to devote my attention to amongst the hundreds.

I'm also planning to add a simple Web interface for mobile phones soon, for when I forgot to download the latest data onto my iPod. I'd use the nice WINKsite, as I do on the Agenda, but it doesn't seem quite ready to serve Japanese text to Japanese phones (which don't widely support UTF-8).

Enjoy!