Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Konishi Yasuharu selects works by composer Hattori Ryōichi (1907-1993), in celebration of his 100th birth anniversary. Art direction and liner notes also by Konishi-san.

Various Artists "Hattori Ryōichi seitan 100 shūnen kinen Album: Hattori Jazz & Jive"
オムニバス 「服部良一生誕100周年記念アルバム: ハットリ・ジャズ & ジャイブ」

Audio samples of all tracks at columbia*readymade

(Title / Artist)
1. ryūsenkei Jazz / Shimura Michio (1935)
2. oshare musume / Awaya Noriko Columbia Nakano Rhythm Sisters (1936)
3. Kusatsu Jazz (Instrumental) / Columbia Jazz Band (1936)
4. Tokyo kenbutsu / Nakano Tadaharu to Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys (1936)
5. tsuki ni odoru / Futaba Akiko Columbia Nakano Rhythm Sisters (1936)
6. yumemiru kokoro / Ricky Miyagawa (1936)
7. yamadera no oshō-san / Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys (1937)
8. Banjo de utaeba / Nakano Tadaharu (1938)
9. Jazz rōkyoku / Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys (1938)
10. ahodara shingyō / Columbia Nakano Rhythm Sisters (1938)
11. oEdo Nihonbashi / Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys (1939)
12. kotoriuri no uta / Matsudaira Akira (1939)
13. rappa to musume / Kasagi Shizuko (1940)
14. Roppa minami e iku / Roppa (1940)
15. Tokyo Boogie Woogie / Kasagi Shizuko (1947)
16. Hey Hey Boogie / Kasagi Shizuko (1948)
17. shamisen Boogie Woogie / Ichimaru (1949)
18. kaimono Boogie / Kasagi Shizuko (1950)
19. Modern konjikiyasha / Kasagi Shizuko Sakai Shunji (1951)
20. Kuroda Boogie / Kasagi Shizuko (1951)
21. Blue to Pink no shinkon ryokō / Ashino Hiroshi Hoshino Miyoko (1957)
22. ore wa High Teen / Kanbe Ichirō Hattori Rhythm Sisters (1958)
23. Tokyo Bebe / Nakajima Sonomi Four Lads (1958)
24. Allman Rebop / Kasagi Shizuko (1951)

columbia*readymade COCP-33867
Out 2007/1/24, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

(Originally posted on 2006/7/15)

Qypthone's Nakatsuka Takeshi brings us a second Groovy Sauce compilation, again a collection of tracks from the popular "Groovy Sauce Collection" vinyl-only series. Out now!

Various Artists "Groovy Sauce -Genovese-"

(Title / Artist)
1. Melody Fair -Shiho Fujisawa version- / Fujisawa Shiho
2. Journey in the Moon / NA-3LDK feat. Izumi (Qypthone)
3. One Note Samba / Nakatsuka Takeshi feat. Igarashi Harumi
4. Wonderful Life / Fujisawa Shiho
5. Joker / che sa mossa
6. nu age show / The Lowbrows
7. On The Palette -BM remix- / Nakatsuka Takeshi
8. I Tempt You / NA-3LDK
9. Je Danse / Fujisawa Shiho
10. Secret / The Lowbrows
11. "Q*Bert" / Qypthone
12. Magic Colors (exclusive mode) / Nakatsuka Takeshi

Victor VICL-62169
Out now (11/22), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

See also: "Groovy Sauce -Arrabbiata-"

Second Royal artist Fredo has a remix album coming up before the end of the year. Remixers will include Handsomeboy Technique, Fran-key, Temple (aka Nishidera Gota of Nona Reeves), and also foreign electro-house artists Linus Loves, Waldorf, Flat Pack and Flairs, for a total of 8 expected tracks.

Fredo "Remack!"

1. Apprhythm (7500zRemix) (Remix by Flairs)
2. Just One Featuring Bastian (Linus Lover Remix) (Remix by Linus Loves)
3. Freaky! (Freaks Will Rule The Welt In 60 Years Remix) (Remix by Waldolf)
4. Grande
5. Grand Slam (Temple's Singer, Song Writing & Remix) (Remix by Temple aka Nishidera Gota from Nona Reeves)
6. Just One feat. Bastian (Fran-Key's Drivin Lover Mix) (Remix by Fran-Key)
7. Three Center (Flat Pack Remix) (Remix by Flat Pack)
8. Teenage Monster feat. Helena Josefson (Hansomeboy Technique Remix) (Remix by Hansomeboy Technique)

Second Royal SRCDS-013
Out 12/27, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

About a month before their new album is released, capsule first has a 12" maxi single coming out.

capsule "Starry sky" (12")

A1. Starry sky
B1. Reality
B2. Sugarless GiRL

contemode YCJC-10004
Out 12/13, ¥1300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV

Thanks to reader Michael for sending in details!

Just last week, Akakage had a third album released. It had been about 3 years since his previous original album "akakage in the earth" . Tower Records tells us that the title is Italian for "fuckin' cool!", sort of.

Akakage "Fighissima"
アカカゲ 「Fighissima」

1. Opening ~ Fighissima ~
2. Swinging Jack feat. Jack Regan
3. Lovely Day feat. Georgia Carter
4. Brasilian Colors feat. Toyono (album version)
5. Flow ~ Interlude ~
6. This Is Your Time feat. Carolyn Harding
7. Skink feat. Prophet 21
8. U Make It Real feat. Sadat X, Telmary
9. Splash feat. Yuri Dazai
10. Vem e Dance Comigo
11. Get Storm In Your Brain
12. Take It Away feat. Certainly, sir
13. Nowhere To Go feat. David Boyls
14. De Manha feat. Flavia

Pony Canyon PCCA-02364
Out now (11/15), ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

There's good and bad news. The good news is that Halcali will be releasing a download-only exclusive seasonal track each month for the next three months!
The bad news is for iPod users (and many others), as Halcali's label is Sony and these are only available as downloads in ATRAC format (NetMD/Walkman) on their annoying bitmusic store (and some alternatives) and for mobile phones...

So in December we get "Slalom '06", a new version of "Slalom '03" that was on the "Strawberry Chips" single (get it at Recohan!), music is by Handsomeboy Technique! In January will be a New Year's song, and in February will be a song for Valentine's day (titles haven't yet been announced).

Halcali "Slalom '06" (Download)

Epic/Sony ESXX-210 (Track 1)
Out 12/1, ¥210
Sample: Sony (click the corresponding blue 「視聴」 button)
Buy for PC (ATRAC): bitmusic, mora
Buy for mobile phone: Go to http://www.halcali.com/ or use the QR code below

This week is a bit calm on the release front, so I thought I'd liven things up with this orange pekoe remix collection that comes with a DVD of nine videoclips. Included are three remixes by Sunaga t̀ Experience, and also ones by Fukutomi Yukihiro, Nicola Conte, Raphael Sebbag (United Future Organization) and then some.

Official release page at BMG Japan

orange pekoe "Best Remixes & Clips" (CD+DVD)

CD
1. Love Life ~Mode for Kita-Horie~ (Remixed by Sunaga t̀ experience)
2. koganeiro no hane ~Gira Mundo Remix~ (Remixed by Gira Mundo)
3. Sweet Movie ~Sunaga t experience remix~ (Remixed by Sunaga t̀ experience)
4. Song Bird ~Os Bossa 4 Version~ (Remixed by Nicola Conte)
5. taiyō no kakera ~Electric Sheep Remix~ (Remixed by Electric Sheep)
6. kiseki ~Beanfield Remix~ (Remixed by Beanfield)
7. Happy Valley ~Yukihiro Fukutomi Remix~ (Remixed by Fukutomi Yukihiro)
8. Honeysuckle ~Raphael's Samba Tek~ (Remixed by Raphael Sebbag for United Future Organization)
9. sora ni kakaru Circle ~Studio Apartment Remix~ (Remixed by Studio Apartment)
10. yawaraka na yoru ~Waltz For &'s Remix~ (Remixed by Sunaga t̀ experience)

DVD (Region 2 (Japan/Europe) NTSC)
1. yawaraka na yoru
2. Happy Valley
3. Honeysuckle
4. Beautiful Thing
5. gokurachō ~Bird of Paradise~
6. Song Bird
7. koganeiro no hane
8. sora no niwa
9. kimi no yozora

New World BVCS-27028
Out 11/22, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (15% off *), YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

After the recently released Halfby and Handsomeboy Technque 10" EPs, Second Royal's next release is a 12" EP of Fredo's "Just One feat. Bastian" including two remixes. The release date hasn't been yet set at this time, maybe December?

Fredo will also have a remix album out on December 27. More details to follow!

Fredo "Just One E.P." (12")

A1. Extended Version
B1. Linus Loves Remix (Remixed by Linus Loves)
B2. Fran-Key's Drivin' Lover Mix (Remixed by Fran-Key)

Second Royal EMF-019
Out soon, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

After having mostly focused on his "Jazz Allnighters" series, record banchō Sunaga Tatsuo is back to his roots with a new "World Standard" compilation. It had been a year since #5!
This time he offers a collection of his own works, focusing on ones with female vocals.

Various Artists "World Standard.06 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix- Sunaga t̀ Experience works -pièces pour les femmes-"

(Title / Artist)
1. S.B.1
2. Love Life (Sunaga t̀ Experience Remix) / Orange Pekoe
3. Sunshine Express / Isabelle Antena
4. Before Dawn / Akiko
5. umi ga oshiete kureta koto (Sunaga t̀ Experience Remix) / Okuyama Minako
6. S.B.2
7. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You / Aoki Karen
8. Flower / Nao feat. Ryoji (Ketsumeishi)
9. Heart Breaker (Sunaga t̀ Experience Remix) / Jhett feat. Rinko Urashima
10. Grain (Taken from O.S.T.Monster) / Sunaga t̀ Experience
11. Perfect World (A Night At Organ b. Mix) / Pizzicato Five
12. eki ni te (Sunaga t̀ Experience Remix) / Shōno Juli
13. High At Noon (Dedicate to Noon Osaka) / Sunaga t̀ Experience
14. Always Love (Sunaga t̀ Experience Remix) / Fablo Nobile
15. Kiss One More Time (Sunaga t̀ Experience's Euro/Set Mix) / Tommy February6
16. kasukana shirushi / Sunaga t̀ Experience

Flower FLRC-049
Out 12/6, ¥2580 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Also:
"World Standard Schema"
"World Standard.05 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-"
"World Standard.04 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-" (CCCD)

2½ years after the release of first album "Karly" (it was this agenda's first announcement), Nomoto Karia finally has a new album coming up. Of course, it is produced by Konishi Yasuharu, and if you ask him what he thinks about it, he'll tell you that all tracks are worth a single cut! Most tracks are at Karly's favorite 135 BPM (the two others are at 130 BPM).

The limited edition packaging will be a thin cardboard sleeve and will include 4 Karly photo cards. Art direction is by Konishi Yasuharu. Orders at Tower and HMV will receive an original sticker. Also orders at Amazon, Tower and HMV online will receive free PC wallpaper. Be sure to pre-order, just in case!

Some track notes: "Bombastic Hip House Band" features Kawanishi Suguru on turntable. "G.T.O." features Anchovies, Karly's all-girl band with herself on drums. "Girls In Love" is a cover of Andreas Dorau (YouTube) sung in Japanese. "Karly's Dance Music" is a mix of Karly's remixes for "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" and "jiyūdo.". "asobi." features Arai Toshiya (Mr.comicstore) on guitar.
Konishi Yasuharu's full album notes (Japanese)

Check out the special announcement page at columbia*readymade.

Audio samples at columbia*readymade

Nomoto Karia "Dance Music"
野本かりあ 「Dance Music」

1. Bombastic Hip House Band -inst-
2. FMSB
3. jiyūdo. -free degrees-
4. Bubbly
5. G.T.O. -girls together outrageously-
6. Girls In Love
7. Soul Train
8. hitomi no naka ni Mirror Ball -mirrorball-
9. Karly's Dance Music -inst-
10. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji -the night is still young-
11. asobi. -kid'n'play-
12. dōshite konnani anata ga suki nano darō.

columbia*readymade COCP-50956
Out 2007/1/24, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Buy iTunes Japan Music Cards at Amazon

Muro collaborates with Konishi Yasuharu for this new Japanese animation breakbeats remixes compilations! Must buy! Jacket artwork by Muro.

This release was first announced in August for release in September, and was later delayed. A sequel had also been planned for release a month later.

Various Artists "anime breakbeats" (to be confirmed)

Expected tracks (subject to change)
Cutie Honey (alt.sp. Cutey Honey)
Devilman
umi no Triton
ashita no Joe
yūsha Rydeen
yakyūkyō no uta
muteki kōjin Daitarn
and more...

columbia*readymade COCP-50975
Out 2007/1/24 delayed, ¥2625
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, Amazon U.S., YesAsia

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

Seems like a new capsule album is coming at us as soon as January! The previous, "FRUITS CLiPPER" was released last May.

capsule "Sugarless GiRL"

1. Welcome to my world
2. Starry Sky
3. REALiTy
4. Sugarless GiRL
5. Catch my breath
6. Spider
7. MUZiC
8. Melting point
9. Sound of Silence
10. Secret Paradise

contemode YCCC-10008
Out 2007/1/24 2/21, ¥2310
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, Amazon U.S.,

Buy iTunes Japan Music Cards at Amazon

And while I was soundly sleeping (or so it seems), club scene violonist Kinbara Chieko released last month a remix compilation album (or "collaboration album" as they call it). Most (if not all) of these remixes were previously available in a form or another, though many are available on CD for the first time.

Kinbara Chieko "Love & Respect"

1. For Your Love (Kupper's Klassic Pump Vocal Mix)
2. If You Only (Rasmus Faber Remix)
3. Batucada (I-Dep zero3 mix)
4. A Espera (Yoruba Soul Mix)
5. Love (12 Inch Single Mix)
6. La Vie En Rose (NT Lovers Dub Mix)
7. A Distant Shore (F.P.M Beautiful Shore Mix)
8. Spring Rain (Danny Krivit Re-Edit)
9. Try A Little Love (12 Inch Single Mix)
10. Strings Of Life (Tigerstripes Remix)

Grand Gallery GRGA-0018
Out now (10/4), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Label Grand Gallery has a second installment of Japanese lounge compilation series "Tokyo Luxury Lounge", out now. The compilation includes recent tracks by Kinbara Chieko, Sunaga t̀ Experience, Jazztronik, Akakage and several others.

At the same time, label owner and selector Ide Yasushi has a new collection of remixes titled "Faces -Lonesome Echo Works-".

Various Artists "Tokyo Luxury Lounge 2"

1. FreeTEMPO / Love Will Bring You Back feat. Lori Fine (Coldfeet)
2. i-dep / Sign of summer
3. Studio Apartment feat. Stephanie Cooke / One true love (Eric Kupper Club Mix)
4. Soul Source Production / The Real Thing feat. Monday Michiru meets Rasmus Faber
5. Kinbara Chieko / For Your Love
6. Sunaga t̀ Experience / Versiliana Samba
7. Jazztronik / Dentro mi alma (Reel People remix album edit)
8. Makai / Sunrise
9. Ide Yasushi / Plein Soleil (MAW Mix)
10. DJ Kawasaki feat. Karin / Beautiful
11. Akakage feat. Toyono / Brazilian Colors (Original Peaktime Mix)

Grand Gallery GRGA-0019
Out now (11/8), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

See also: "Tokyo Luxury Lounge"

Nagisa Yōko will sing "kakkoii Boogaloo" in duet with Handa Kento. The song was written by Crazy Ken Band and included on EP "seputenbaa" ("September") and also album "nikutai kankei" both first released in 2001. It also featured Nagisa Yōko back then.
The single includes more karaoke tracks than you can shake a stick at.

Nagisa Yōko × Handa Kento "kakkoii Boogaloo"
渚ようこ×半田健人 「かっこいいブーガルー」

1. kakkoii Boogaloo
2. Shinjuku, namida shirazu
3. kakkoii Boogaloo (Kento to ikkyoku) (Karaoke)
4. kakkoii Boogaloo (Yōko to ikkyoku) (Karaoke)
5. kakkoii Boogaloo (futari de ikkyoku) (Karaoke)
6. Shinjuku, namida shirazu (tiamo bambina) (Karaoke)
7. Shinjuku, namida shirazu (tiamo bambino) (Karaoke)
8. Shinjuku, namida shirazu (tiamo bambina e bambino) (Karaoke)

Takumi Note / Teichiku TECG-5
Out 12/20, ¥1143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Escalator Records boss Naka Masashi is starting a new label called Every Conversation, which seems to be mainly aimed at releasing limited 7"'s by artists from abroad, something that had been a bit out of Escalator's path. They hope to bring new good sounds for the younger Japanese crowd.

The first release is of a band from Montreal named Think About Life, a 7" of which the A-side is "Paul Cries" off their self-titled debut album. It was due late October so it should hit the shelves about now, and is limited to 500 copies.

I'm not sure if I'll announce further releases here (as I tend to focus on Japanese artists), so those interested should keep an eye on the label's MySpace page.