Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Chara has a new album titled "Union" out just today, it's her first original album in 4 years! Included are her three latest singles, of which "Crazy for you" was produced by Fantastic Plastic Machine.
There's a limited edition containing a bonus DVD of music videos for the three singles. The regular edition has different artwork.

Chara "Union"

1. watashi o mitsumete
2. Fantasy
3. Crazy for you
4. Tear drop
5. Boy
6. amai amai
7. o-ri-on
8. Back
9. This is my car
10. sekai
11. Union
12. niji o wataru heiwa ga kita

DVD
1. sekai
2. Crazy for you
3. Fantasy

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Universal UMCK-9162
Out 2/28, ¥3334 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (15% off *), HMV, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
Universal UMCK-1222
Out 2/28, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

Out last week is this single of the ending theme from anime TV series "getsumentoheiki Mi-na" (「月面兎兵器ミーナ」), produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule). The song is sung by voice actress Inoue Marina who has the leading role in the series.
The opening theme of this same TV series is Halcali's "Lights, Camera, Action!" out soon.

Inoue Marina "Beautiful Story"
井上麻里奈 「ビューティフル・ストーリー」

1. Beautiful Story
2. hen na koi
3. Beautiful Story (Original karaoke)
4. hen na koi (Original karaoke)

Aniplex SVWC-7443
Out 2/21, ¥1100 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Amazon U.S.

Finally, after a long wait, the first album by model Caede will be out this April on Escalator Records! Like her first single "Maple Soap" and her other appearances on compilations ("Ciclismo 2", "Garage Land", "Garage Bandits"), this album is produced by Cubismo Grafico.

A few songs from this new album can be heard at Caede's MySpace.

Caede "The Queen Of..."

1. Blackkkitty
2. I Know You Well Baby
3. Alphabet Shuffle
4. Marigold
5. C.A.E.D.E
6. Wanna Bee?
7. EIEvAtOr
8. Garageland
9. The Bed Only Knows
10. Maple Soap (Milky mind meltin' mellow mix)

KIT/Escalator XQAV-1067
Out 4/25, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV

This new "mellow" compilation from Crue-L selected by Fujiwara Hiroshi and Takimi Kenji will include some exclusive tracks, new versions, and some available for the first time on CD. Expect even a first ever vocal track by Fujiwara Hiroshi, who also did the artwork.

If you're not sure whether this one is for you, check out this genre-dropping bonanza from the promo blurb: classical piano chamber music, song-oriented female vocals, down-tempo, mellow ballad, breezy leftfield sound, chill-out electro, orchestra score, acoustic bossa, post-chill-out(!), post interior music(!!)...
Looks like there should be a little something for everyone who likes it a bit mellow sometimes.

Various Artists "Crue-L Mellow"

1. Crue-L Grand Orchestra / L'été Palma
2. Museum of Plate feat. Hatakeyama Miyuki / We Live a Life
3. Museum of Plate / Out vention
4. Love Tambourines / Secret Summer
5. DSK / Winter Lane
6. Fujiwara Hiroshi / Gymnopedia No. 1
7. Museum of Plate / Umi
8. No Ma / Life (Instrumental)
9. Spikewave / Good day (Nighttide Mystic Shoes Remix)
10. Eli+Hiroshi / Trouble Woman In Love (DJ Harvey's Full Remix)
11. My Brother Charlie / Take It Easy
12. Port Of Notes / Typhoon
13. No Ma / My Cruel Heart (Acousitic Instrumental)
14. Fujiwara Hiroshi feat. Kahimi Karie / La Dolce Vita (Drumless)
15. Special Guest / Waiting In Vain (Homemade Demo)

Crue-L KYTHMAK-110DA
Out 4/11, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Rondo Brothers, U.S. producer team featured on Halfby's upcoming single "Star Track", will have a 7" out on Jet Set Records that will include remixes by Cubismo Grafico and Collette (Second Royal).

Rondo Brothers "Until We Ill We All Fall Down" (12")

A1. Until We Ill We All Fall Down (Cubismo Grafico Pea Coat Mix)
A2. Until We Ill We All Fall Down
B1. Crazed (Collette Remix)
B2. Crazed

Jet Set
Out mid-March late March 4/5 early May, ¥1470
Order: Jet Set (once out), HMV

Cibo Matto has a greatest hits album coming up on Rhino in the U.S. It's all remastered and will include two previously unreleased tracks.

Cibo Matto "Pom Pom: The Essential Cibo Matto"

1. Sugar Water
2. Spoon
3. Sci-Fi Wasabi
4. Clouds
5. King Of Silence (Dan The Automator Remix) (Previously unreleased)
6. Moonchild
7. Flowers
8. Stone
9. White Pepper Ice Cream
10. Know Your Chicken
11. Birthday Cake
12. Beef Jerky
13. Working For Vacation
14. Le Pain Perdu
15. Artichoke
16. Swords And A Paintbrush (Previously unreleased)
17. Backseat
18. Vamos A La Playa
19. Apple

Rhino R2 77641
Out 3/20
Order: Amazon Japan, Amazon U.S.

Ram Rider's next album(?) will include two new songs plus 8 remixes, including ones by artists such as Ishino Takkyu (Denki Groove), Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and i-dep. One of the new songs is co-produced by Konishi Yasuharu!

Ram Rider "kimigasuki + Remix Tunes"
Ram Rider 「きみがすき + Remix Tunes」

1. kimi ga suki
2. sotsugyō - Co-Produced by Konishi Yasuharu & Ram Rider
3. Any Colors (Word Associarion Mix) - Remixed by Tanaka Tomonao
4. Feels Gonna Feel (Wall 5 Remix) - Remixed by Wall 5 aka Co-Fusion
5. Music (takkyu@133.333) - Remixed by Ishino Takkyu
6. Smile Again (Sugiurumn remix) - Remixed by Sugiurumn
7. Sun Lights Stars (yasutaka nakata 8FM mix) - Remixed by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule)
8. Bedroom Disco (Elektro Disko mix) - Remixed by Ryoji (from Ketsumeishi)
9. yume de aeru yo (Duck Rock Full Length Remix) - Remixed by Duck Rock
10. tabi e deyō (i-dep mix) - Remixed by i-dep

Rhythm Zone RZCD-45455
Out 4/11, ¥1886 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Sally Kubota and friends will DJ for free at Ebisu's cozy Kissa Ginza, celebrating the release of album Sally Soul Stew "uchū de Rendez-vous ~Rendez-vous à l'univers~"!

Cafe kakarichō ~ Sally Soul Stew reko-hatsu DJ
カフェ係長〜サリー・ソウル・シチューレコ発DJ
on 2/22
at Ebisu Kissa Ginza (1-3-9 Ebisu-Minami)

DJs:
Sally Kubota (Sally Soul Stew, Les 5-4-3-2-1)
Serge Katō (Machinicalis)
Inaba Masaki

Starts at 21:00, ends around midnight
Free!

Vibraphone jazz band The Fascinations has a new impromptu album containing versions of jazz standards, available now and only at Village Vanguard stores throughout Japan.

The Fascinations "My Funny Vibraphone"

1. Waltz for Debby
2. Take Five
3. Mack The Knife
4. My Funny Valentine
5. I'll Close My Eyes
6. Cool Struttin'
7. Someday My Prince Will Come
8. Be My Baby (Bonus Track)

highcontrast HCCD-9519
Out 2/1, ¥2100
Buy at Village Vanguard (no online sales)

Eight tracks from Nomoto Karia's excellent new album "Dance Music" are being released on two separate 12"'s.
Very limited, pressed by Jet Set.

Nomoto Karia "Dance Music Sampler Part 1" (12")
野本かりあ "Dance Music Sampler Part 1"

A1. FMSB
A2. Bombastic Hip House Band
B1. jiyudo.
B2. G.T.O. -girls together outrageously-

columbia*readymade 52404
Out early March mid-March late March 3/28, ¥1470
Order: Jet Set (once out), Tower (pre-order early)

Nomoto Karia "Dance Music Sampler Part 2" (12")
野本かりあ "Dance Music Sampler Part 2"

A1. Girls In Love
A2. Soul Train.
B1. hitomi no naka ni Mirrorball. -mirrorball-
B2. asobi.

columbia*readymade 52405
Out early March mid-March late March 3/28, ¥1470
Order: Jet Set (once out), Tower (pre-order early)

Japanese artists pay tribute to David Bowie in this compilation featuring Nomiya Maki, Fukutomi Yukihiro feat. Arichika Masumi (T.V. Jesus), Sakamoto Miu, Coldfeet, Nona Reeves, and more.

Various Artists "Tribute to David Bowie"

1. Nomiya Maki / Fame
2. The Collectors / Space Oddity
3. Rolly / Ziggy Stardust
4. Coldfeet / Fashion
5. Kicell / Silly Boy Blue
6. Diamond Yukai / Heroes
7. I-lulu / Modern Love
8. Nona Reeves / Let's Dance
9. Fukutomi Yukihiro feat. Arichika Masumi (T.V. Jesus) / Beauty and the Beast
10. The Condors feat. Sakamoto Miu / Dancing in the Street

For-side.com GYCL-10021
Out 3/21, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV

Kamiya Naoaki aka Boot Beat is back with a second single, following his first 12" single "Like a Bossa e.p." and mix CD "Manifesto!" which both sold out instantly. This new one's title track is said to be a swinging rap tune, featuring hip-hop group Shuriken Jet.

Sound samples at label AirsPort

Boot Beat "hoshikuzu Boogie Park" (12")
Boot Beat 「星屑ブギーパーク」

A. hoshikuzu Boogie Park feat. Shuriken Jet
B. Clash-Chic

AirsPort CM-0014795
Out early March 3/30 early May mid-May late May 6/8, ¥1575
Order: Jet Set (once out)

On White Day, that's one month after the Valentine's Day release of single "Fan Service [sweet]", will be released a live DVD featuring idol unit Perfume's rare live performance held at Harajuku Astro Hall on December 21, 2006. Backstage and rehearsal bits will be shown too. The package will include a tour pamphlet full of live photos.

For the latest info about Perfume, check the English fan site Perfume City.

Perfume "Fan Service [bitter]" (DVD)
Perfume 「ファン・サーヴィス [bitter]」

1. Electro World
2. oishii Recipe
3. Computer City
4. Linear Motor Girl
5. Monochrome Effect
6. Super Jet Shoes
7. Perfume Medley
8. Perfect Star Perfect Style
9. Computer Driving
10. Sweet Donuts
11. Perfume
12. Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow (Encore)
13. Wonder2 (Encore)

Tokuma TKBA-1102
Out 3/14, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (25% off *), HMV, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Idol unit Perfume's sold out first album, which had only been released in a limited edition, is being re-released in a standard edition. The only difference seems to be the bonus track on the DVD which has been swapped for a different song.

For the latest info about Perfume, check the English fan site Perfume City.

Perfume "Perfume ~Complete Best~" (CD+DVD)

CD
1. Perfect Star Perfect Style
2. Linear Motor Girl
3. Computer City
4. Electro World (Album Version)
5. inryoku
6. Monochrome Effect
7. Vitamin Drop
8. Sweet Donuts
9. Foundation
10. Computer Driving
11. Perfume
12. wonder

DVD
1. Linear Motor Girl (video clip)
2. Computer City (video clip)
3. Electro World (video clip)
Bonus track
4. Vitamin Drop (video clip)

Tokuma TKCA-73167
Out 2/14, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (15% off *), HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Nakata Yasutaka (capsule)-produced idol unit Perfume is back on Valentine's Day with a first CD single following the release of album "Complete Best". The CD holds two songs, one of these which had been previously released for download. A DVD with videos for the two songs is also included, as well as a photo booklet.
"Complete Best" is also being re-released on the same day in a regular edition.

For the latest info about Perfume, check the English fan site Perfume City.

Perfume "Fan Service [sweet]" (CD+DVD)
Perfume 「ファン・サーヴィス [sweet]」

1. Chocolate Disco
2. Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow

Tokuma TKCA-73158
Out 2/14, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (15% off *), HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Girl-oriented small book series my charm (you might think of it as a small irregular magazine) has an 11th issue coming which will include a CD full of songs by great indie artists such as Aprils, Hazel Nuts Chocolate, melting holidays, Three Berry Icecream, and many more, making it well worth its cheap price.
As for the book, it has 64 full color pages focusing on the theme "girlie life".

my charm #11 (Book+CD)
マイチャーム 11号

1. Ricarope / Sunday morning & afternoon
2. Aprils / P.S. Boy Meets Girl (my charm edit)
3. Yuka (from metro) / nagai yume
4. melting holidays / the grooviest girl in the world
5. the Sweet Onions / colours
6. Sucrette / Love Prologue
7. Sakamoto Wakako (from maybelle) / mimi o sumaseba
8. Three Berry Icecream / Faily tail
9. Hazel Nuts Chocolate / Jenny's Discothequa
10. Choco sing in her favorite Hairsalon / sleepy song
11. Rita iota / High Time to Kiss
12. Kobayashi Shino / sayonara no hana
13. Contrary Parade / Planet

My Charm Ornament mco-004
ISBN: 978-4-434-10299-8
Out 3/14, ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Although it's been 5 years since Sunahara Yoshinori's latest album "Lovebeat", all we get is a remastered greatest hits album. This 2CD package will include one disc of a selection of his own solo works, and another disc of his remix/arrangement/production works for other artists. Everything has been remastered by Chris Gehringer of Sterling Sound (NYC), making this item not only better than no release at all, but also a must even for the hardcore collector.

Sound samples at Sony Music Shop

Sunahara Yoshinori "Works '95-'05"
砂原良徳 「Works '95-'05」

Disc 1: Selected from Original Albums
1. MFRFM (Music for Robot for Music)
2. Stinger Stingray
3. Elegant World
4. Sun Song '80
5. Life & Space
6. Welcome to Japan
7. Hypnotize
8. 747 Dub
9. Balance
10. Lovebeat
11. The Center of Gravity

Disc 2: Selected from Remix & Produce Works
1. Sunahara Yoshinori / Saeko & Minilla (Sound In Space)
2. Cornelius / Moon Walk
3. Yano Akiko / Harusaki-Kobeni (Marin Mix)
4. Great3 / gake~G-Surf (Yoshinori Sunahara Mix)
5. Towa Tei / Lotus Snack and Thinking Machine
6. Fantastic Plastic Machine / First Class '77　　
7. The Gentle People / Emotion Heater - remixed by Yoshinori Sunahara
8. Coldcut / Every Home A Prison (Yoshinori Sunahara remix)
9. Sunahara Yoshinori / Robot
10. Aco / yorokobi ni saku hana
11. Supercar / Yumegiwa Last Boy
12. Reggae Disco Rockers / Oasis (y-sunahara's studio re-mix)
13. Rip Slyme / By the Way -YSST remix-
14. Higurashi Aiha / Living Source
15. Denki Groove × Scha Dara Parr / Saint☆ojisan (YSST RMX 2005)

Ki/oon KSCL-1121/2
Out 3/21, ¥3675
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, Amazon U.S.

Halfby's 2nd major single, "Halfbeat", will soon be released on a 7" on Second Royal.

Halfby "Halfbeat" (7")

A. Halfbeat
B. Halfbeat (Half Beat Happening Mix)

Second Royal EMF-020
Out 2/22, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

YMO fans rejoice! The band is back together, at least for the time of a song, and a beer commercial.

After reuniting Sadistic Mica Band last year, Kirin Lager did another tour de force by bringing back together all three original members of Yellow Magic Orchestra. The band recorded a new version of the hit song "Rydeen", retitled "Rydeen 79/07", which is being used in the TV commercial starting today. The song will be available for download from February 3 on iTunes Music Store Japan and others, and there are no plans yet for a CD release.

Rydeen 79/07 official site
TV commercial page (click top row of gray links for high-bandwidth, bottom row for low-bandwidth, also the yellow button is a "making of")

Yellow Magic Orchestra "Rydeen 79/07" (Download)

Out 2/3, ¥200
Buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

I had almost forgotten about Halcali's 3rd seasonal offering, following "Slalom '06" (produced by Handsomeboy Technique) and "2 Higher Clap 007" (produced by Cubismo Grafico). It was announced today and is available right now for download.

The new song is themed around Valentine's Day, and is written and arranged by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone) with words by Nomiya Maki!
Halcali, Nakatsuka Takeshi and Nomiya Maki, that's three good reasons to tolerate Sony's ATRAC format, the only way the song is made available for the time being.

Halcali "Girl! Girl! Girl!" (Download)

Epic/Sony ESXX-210 (Track 3)
Out now (2/1), ¥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

Arranged by Yoshida Tetsuto and featuring Hair's Ai Satteaux on guitar, this 2nd major single by Okumura Aiko is an original song written by Tsutsumi Kyōhei (famous composer of numerous hit pop songs since the 70's)! It is said to be inspired by French pop, funk and Shōwa-40's (1965-1974) kayōkyoku. The B-side is a cover of Arai Yumi (Yuming).

Audio samples at HMV and Tower.

Okumura Aiko "koi shitai Heart"
奥村愛子 「恋したいハート」

1. koi shitai Heart
2. 14banme no tsuki
3. koi shitai Heart (Inst.)
4. 14banme no tsuki (Inst.)

Toshiba EMI TOCT-4905
Out now (2005/9/7), ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Amazon U.S.

Catching up with the recent discography of Yoshida Tetsuto which has just been updated at Readymade.
Last November was released this new Hair album, band in which he does programming and arrangements. The previous album, "roma o mite kara, shine." was released in 2003 on Readymade International.

the hair "pop concerto for the weekender"
the hair 「ウィークエンダーのポップコンチェルト」

1. getsuyōbi
2. Mod Only Knows
3. Face o nerae
4. La Discotique
5. Pop Star
6. There She Goes Again (& Again)
7. soshite Weekend futatabi
8. Weekend
9. Sunday
10. ōgon jidai

Modernity DLMD-2002
Out now (2006/11/22), ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Fender Rhodes player Ino Hidefumi, whose album "Satisfaction" is still selling strong despite no promotional efforts, will play a first live show in Tokyo at the end of March! In December he played his first show ever in Fukuoka.
This is a definite must-go!

Ino Hidefumi live
on 3/31 (Saturday)
at Ebisu Liquid Room

Opens at 19:30, starts at 20:30
Price: advance ¥4000 (on sale 2/14 at Pia (252-687) etc., special pre-sale at Tower Records Shinjuku and Shibuya from 2/10), door ¥5000