Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Towa Tei's classic album "Future Listening!" is being re-released in a remastered version, and that together with a new remix CD, "Future Recall 3"!

Towa Tei "Future Listening! + Future Recall 3"
テイ・トウワ 「Future Listening! + Future Recall 3」

CD1: Future Listening!
1. I Want to Relax, Please!
2. Technova (La Em Copacabana)
3. Batucada
4. Luv Connection
5. Meditation!
6. Raga Musgo
7. Son of Bambi (Walk Tuff)
8. Douce Vie (amai seikatsu)
9. Obrigado
10. Dubnova, Pts. 1 & 2

CD2: Future Recall 3
1. Technova (Opaz Flying High Remix Ver.3 by Ray Haden)
2. Luv Connection (Towa's Dizzy Vibe) (from "Future Recall")
3. Batucada (Soul Central Foot High Mix)
4. Luv Connection (Soul Central Classic Mix)
5. Meditation! (Instrumental Version)
6. Dubnova (More Rockers Remix)
7. Batucada (Phill's Batucada Club Remix) (from "Future Recall")
8. Luv Connection (Masters at Work Dub)
9. Technova (Drumagick Remix)
10. amai seikatsu (Instrumental Version)

hug Columbia COCP-51025/6
Out 4/18, ¥2940
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, Amazon U.S.

Trivia: "Son of Bambi (Jazz Not Jazz Remix Dub)" was included in an early track list.

Here's one with a few months of delay. I hadn't heard about this compilation of "covers" of classical music by rock and pop artists, featuring Kahimi Karie, Kanda Tomoki (producer for Kahimi Karie, Clémentine), Shimizu Hirotaka (formerly guitarist of Bridge, currently touring with Cornelius), Chocolat & Akito, mi-gu (Cornelius' tour drummer) and more.

Various Artists "Prescription ~The other side of classic music~"

1. Shimizu Hirotaka featuring Chocolat & Akito / Strenger in Paradise (Polovtsian dance)
2. Shimizu Hirotaka / Gymnopedies
3. Kanda Tomoki / Clair de Lune
4. Hosomi Sakana / Clair de Lune
5. Ueda Tadashi / Pomp and Circuma stance. Op39 No. 1 in D major
6. Shimizu Hirotaka featuring Kahimi Karie / Ave Maria
7. Kanda Tomoki / Reverie
8. Ueda Kenji / Pavane pour une Infante Defunte
9. Kanda Tomoki / Nocturne No. 2
10. Kanda Tomoki / Air on G Strings
11. Sakana Hosomi / Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
12. mi-gu / Venus, the Bringer of Peace

Konami POCE-7342
Out now (2006/11/15), ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV

Following the release of the p&art sasanoooha and DJ Mitsy mix CDs last summer, Watanabe Productions now brings us remixes of some of its artists' greatest hits. Featured remixers include FPM, Sunaga t Experience, p&art sasanoooha, Fukutomi Yukihiro, CKB-Annex (members of Crazy Ken Band), m-flo, and more!

Official release page

Various Artists "Upper's Flava ~Remixes Of Watanabe Hit Tune~"

1. The Tigers / Seaside Bound ~Hey More Iccccccchaw!~ Remixed by CKB-Annex
2. The Drifters / dorifu no hayakuchi kotoba ~FPM Paparuwa Mush-Up Remix~ Remixed by Fantastic Plastic Machine
3. Ann Lewis / aa mujō ~SH Club Mix~ Remixed by Hidaka Satoshi (GTS)
4. Marcia / Amor... Saudade ~Versao em Portugues~ ~Tachytelic Remixed~ Remixed by ☆Taku Takahashi (m-flo)
5. Ann Lewis / Boogie Woogie Love Train (koi no Boogie Woogie Train) ~Sunaga t Experience Remix~ Remixed by Sunaga t Experience
6. Kikkawa Kōji / La vie en rose ~Trident's Megalo-Funk Remix~ Remixed by Shinnosuke (Soul'd Out)
7. Koyanagi Rumiko / ohisashiburi ne ~OhisashiBleepMix~ Remixed by okite Porsche
8. Candies / yasashii akuma ~DJ Dragon Devil Mix~ Remixed by DJ Dragon
9. Yamashita Kumiko / sekidō komachi doki! ~Back to 1980 Remix~ Remixed by Fukutomi Yukihiro
10. Fuse Akira / kimi wa bara yori utsukushii ~p&art sasanoooha Mix~ Remixed by p&art sasanoooha
11. Agnes Chan / kusahara no kagayaki ~Hisashi Nawata Remix~ Remixed by Hisashi Nawata
12. Ōsawa Yoshiyuki / soshite boku wa tohō ni kureru ~URU-Electro Bossa Mix~ Remixed by URU
13. Ishikawa Hitomi / machibuse ~mōshiwake Street Stalk Remix~ Remixed by DJ Mitsy mōshiwake

rhythm zone RZCD-45488
Out 1/31, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, , Amazon U.S.

On Sunday evening will be presented the 2nd monthly last-train-friendly party Juliana, organized by the fun people at Tokyo Fun Party, Digiki and friends. Last time it was so big that even the cops dropped by.

Event official site

Juliana vol.2
on 1/28 (Sunday)
at Shibuya Soft

Guest DJ: Home Cut
Guest live: Chimidoro

Resident DJs:
Antonin Gaultier a.k.a. Digiki
DJ Alex & DJ Gotti from KazuNoco
SoccerBoy (Tokyo Fun Party)

Starts at 19:00, ends at 23:00
Price: ¥1500 (w/ 1 drink)

I thought I'd post a few highly interesting events occurring this weekend. Catch them if you can!

This Saturday night will be Fami-mōde (from hatsumōde, a first visit to a temple for the New Year), a Famicom/8-bit party featuring live shows by YMCK, 6955 and more, and also some Famicom battle action and even some shops.

Event official site

Fami-mōde
ファミ詣
on 1/27 (Saturday)
at Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe

Live:
YMCK
6955
Consumers
KPLECRAFT

DJ:
Smallest (Torikabuto)
DJ Sakagami (Meteor)
Muscat daitōryō

Price: advance ¥2500 + drink (sold out), door ¥3000 + drink
Starts at midnight

Halfby has a 3rd major single lined up, the title is "Star Track" and will feature U.S. producer team Rondo Brothers guesting on vocals.

There will be a limited edition. This single is a 3rd of an apparently planned series of four.

Halfby "Star Track"

1. Star Track
2. BVR
3. Young Dixie Runners
4. Star Track (Truck Train Tractor Mix)

Toy's Factory TFCC-89194
Out 3/28, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, , Amazon U.S.

Now is a book by the same Suridh Hassan who directed the hip-hop/street DVD "Scratching The Surface: Japan", this time focusing on the graffiti scene. Included is a free DVD with a 28-minute documentary.

"Rackgaki: Japanese Graffiti" (Book)
(Hardcover / 8.7x8.7" (22x22cm) / 112 pages / 28-minute DVD (region?))

Laurence King Publishing (UK)
ISBN: 978-1-85669-504-6
Out 5/3
Order: Amazon Japan, Amazon U.S.

"Scratching The Surface: Japan" is a documentary about the underground hip-hop culture in Japan as of 2003, as seen by UK director Suridh Hassan. After having been shown at film festivals around the world (Vancouver, London, Leeds, Copenhagen), it's first released on DVD in Japan. Featured are artists such as Afra, MSC, DJ Baku, Inden and more, and street artists QP (my favorite) and Very One.

Official release page
Studio Rarekwai site
Trailer at YouTube

"Scratching The Surface: Japan" (DVD)
「スクラッチング ザ サーフィス ジャパン」
(Japanese / main feat. 61 min., bonus feat. 45 min. / 4:3 / Probably region 2)

Featured artists:
Kan (MSC)
Origami
Inden (Dōyō Orizin)
Afra
DJ Baku
Jif Rock
QP
Very
Isopp
... and more!

Bonus features:
- MSC & Origami freestyle cypher
- QP & SPTE bombing
- Twixx vs Isopp B-Boy battle

Now On Media NODH-00018
Out 1/26, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (25% off *), HMV
* Discount at time of writing

Two months after the now imminent release of second album "Dance Music", a first Nomoto Karia DVD package will be released.

The DVD will include three videoclips ("Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" ("the night is still young"), "hitomi no naka ni Mirror Ball" and "jiyūdo."), and also the first 79 "Readymade Screen Test" daily shorts that were shown on the web from October 10 until December 27, 2006. The series went on hiatus after the February 28, 2007 episode.

There will be two editions, the limited one coming with 20 postcards and 5 stickers. Pre-order at Amazon, HMV or Tower to save big.

Nomoto Karia "Readymade Screen Tests" (DVD)
野本かりあ 「Readymade Screen Tests」

Limited edition with photo book
columbia*readymade COBA-50983
Out 3/28 4/4, ¥4200
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, YesAsia

Regular edition (DVD only)
columbia*readymade COBA-51023
Out 3/28 4/4, ¥3675
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Shortly after the release of her three collaboration singles (one with Buffalo Daughter), Suzuki Ami also has a new album planned. The three collaboration singles' title tracks should be included, as well as more collaborations with the likes of Kaji Hideki, Scoobie Do, Northern Bright and Tsuji Ayano.

Released at the same time will be three editions, a CD-only regular edition, and two limited editions with different DVD and artwork (the two DVDs have different content).

Suzuki Ami "Connetta"
鈴木亜美 「Connetta」

1. aozora to Water
2. Alright!
3. Peace otodoke!!
4. Dancin' Little Woman
5. hare moyou.
6. To Be Free
7. Squall ni nurete
8. Everything To Me
9. O.K. Funky God
10. Fantastic
11. Crystal
12. sore mo kitto shiawase
13. Like A Love?
14. aishiteru kitto

Regular edition
Avex AVCD-23255
Out 3/21, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Limited edition CD+DVD A
Avex AVCD-23253B
Out 3/21, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (15% off *), HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Limited edition CD+DVD B
Avex AVCD-23254B
Out 3/21, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (15% off *), HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Nomiya Maki will hold a first "recital" in March, directed by Romantica and with music by Richard Cameron (Arling & Cameron)! The show will include new songs written by Nomiya & Cameron, covers, songs from Maki's five solo albums, and some Pizzicato Five hits!

Nomiya Maki Recital vol.1 ~Joy~
Five performances from March 17 to March 20
At Aoyama Spiral Hall (map)

Starring: Nomiya Maki
Directed by Hayashi Makiko (Romantica)
Music: Richard Cameron

Guest: Kikuchi Naruyoshi (Spank Happy, DCPRG)

3/17, 18, 19: opens at 18:30, starts at 19:00
3/18 matinée: opens at 13:30, starts at 14:00
3/20 soirée: opens at 18:00, starts at 18:30

Tickets: ¥7350 all seated, on sale on February 3 (Pia (251-404), e+)

This year again, Readymade collaborates with Mary and Takashimaya to offer a set of nine square chocolates together with a 20-song compilation CD selected by Konishi Yasuharu.

The package is designed by Readymade boss Hasebe Chisai (aka Mrs. Konishi) together with designer Ōishi Yuko. This year celebrating Mary's 50th Valentine campaign, they tried to give a 1957 sort of feel to the box.

Limited to 1000 pieces, the set is likely to sell out from pre-orders like it did last year.

Readymade × Mary: 2007 Valentine's original CD set

1. The Mamas & The Papas / Right Somebody To Love
2. Jack Jones / The Face I Love
3. The Baja Marimba Band / I'll Marimba You
4. Blossom Dearie / Give Him The Ooh-La-La
5. Stanley Black / Hold My Hand
6. Sarah Vaughan / Shulie A Bop
7. The Blue Stars / Mister L'amour
8. Blossom Dearie / Doop-Doo-De-Doop (A Doodlin' Song)
9. Ronnie Aldrich / If The Rain's Got To Fail
10. Double Six Of Paris / Ooh-Shoo-Be-Doo-Bee
11. Clebanoff & His Orchestra / Samba Of My Land
12. Lesley Gore / Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows
13. Mel Torme / On The Street Where You Live
14. Nick De Caro / Quiet Sunday
15. Alice Babs & Ulrik Neumann / The Way You Look Tonight
16. Sarah Vaughan / Over The Rainbow
17. Wes Montgomery / What The World Needs Now Is Love
18. The Swingle Singers / Largo -From The Harpsichord Concerto In F Minor
19. Chris Montez / I Didn't Know What Time It Was
20. Sarah Vaughan / A Lover's Concerto

Delivers on February 11, 12, 13 or 14 at your choice
Price: ¥3465
Pre-order: Takashimaya (Japan only)

Halcali have a new single lined-up, and the B-side is a house track arranged by Cubismo Grafico!
This song is the opening theme for anime TV series "getsumentoheiki Mi-na" (「月面兎兵器ミーナ」), of which the ending theme is produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule).

Halcali "tōgenkyō / Lights, Camera, Action!"
ハルカリ 「桃源郷 / Lights, Camera. Action!」

1. tōgenkyō
2. Lights, Camera, Action!

Epic/Sony ESCL-2934
Out 3/14, ¥972 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

This second mini-album by Berklee graduate violinist Sarina features tracks produced by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and others.
The CD has bonus CD-Extra contents.

Audio samples at Victor

Sarina "Violin Diva -2nd Set-"

1. Silver Storm
2. Tharua (Hidden Treasure)
3. What's Up With U
4. Imminent (Intro)
5. Imminent
6. Cyber Girl

Victor VICL-62192
Out 1/11, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, , Amazon U.S.