Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Ghostbusters would probably call it a "miniature PKE Meter" and carry one in their pocket, "baketan" is a small ghost detector that doubles as a mobile phone strap. This time it's being released as the limited edition of a compilation CD of songs about "baketan" and ghosts. Featured are PINE*am, Elektel, blau (unit of Hitomi, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1), Melting Holidays, roly poly rag bear and more fine indies units.

"baketan" lights up red when ghosts are nearby, holding the button down will turn it into "barrier mode" to protect you. A must item for sure, but the question is... do you really want to know?

Audio samples at Tetera Records

Various Artists "Compilation for Ghost Rader"
オムニバス 「ばけたんコンピ」
Japanese title: "baketan Compilation"

(Title / Artist)
1. hikari no Roulette / pictogram color
2. Baby baby it's you / Melting Holidays
3. Goodnight, Goodnight / Girls Tape Store
4. Timebird / Melting Holidays
5. Lyrical night story / roly poly rag bear
6. Heaven / Marshmallow Man
7. Ghost Radar! / PINE*am
8. mimi o sumashite / Yamada kinuo
9. Ghost In The Summer / Elektel feat. Hiro Panda & Hamakawa Seiko
10. It looks for the thing not seen. / blau feat. Hitomi (Les 5-4-3-2-1)
11. sayonada / Mai
12. baketan / roly poly rag bear

Tetera TTRR-1001
Out 6/9, ¥2524 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Well the title says it all, or almost! This 2-CD compilation of Shibuya-kei is selected by none other than Pizzicato Five's Konishi Yasuharu!
A surely difficult (let's hear the "where's this?" and "what's that?") but thoughtful selection and salute to fellow artists of the scene.
Package art direction by Shindō Mitsuo (C.T.P.P).

Various Artists "Bossa Nova 1991 Shibuya Scene Retrospective"
オムニバス 「ボサノヴァ1991シブヤ・シーン・レトロスペクティヴ」

CD 1
1. Original Love / Body Fresher
2. Flipper's Guitar / koi to Machinegun
3. Watanabe Marina / dai suki na Shirt (1990 ryokō daisakusen)
4. Pizzicato Five / Twiggy Twiggy
5. Kahimi Karie / Mike Always' Diary
6. Love Tambourines / Love is Here ~Just Between You And I~
7. les 5-4-3-2-1 / Jazz ru kokoro
8. Pizzicato Five / waganawa Groovy (My name is Groovy)
9. les 5-4-3-2-1 / Bond Street
10. Kahimi Karie / Good Morning World
11. Kahimi Karie / Melody ni tsuite
12. Oh! Penelope / Let's Fly The Ad-Baloon
13. Tokyo's Coolest Combo / Bossa Nova No.9

CD 2
1. Sunny Day Service / baby blue
2. Fantastic Plastic Machine / L'aventure Fantastique
3. Necozawa Emi / No Love Song
4. Neil & Iraiza / 25140
5. Mansfield / Love so fine
6. Hi-Posi / Jenny wa gokigen naname
7. cubismo grafico / mississippi one
8. bice / an apple a day
9. Natsuki Mari / ii janai no shiawase naraba
10. Maezono Naoki / Floral Express
11. meg / Groove Tube
12. Ozawa Kenji / otona ni nareba
13. Smooth Ace / korekara ai ni yuku yo
14. Kaji Hideki / sasayaka dakedo yaku ni tatsu koto

columbia*readymade COCP-50966 COCP-34496
Out 6/20 ? 8/8, ¥3675
Order: Amazon, Tower, HMV

Club/scratch DJ Kawanishi Suguru has a first mix CD coming up, it made Konishi Yasuharu tell him "You're a genius!". This totals to 52 tracks of all genres, mixed, scratched and juggled into two parts (in good old tape fashion).

Kawanishi Suguru is better known for his Pizzicato Five cut-ups, "Lupin the 3rd" and "Steam kakarichō" remixes, and also his scratches on "Readymade digs Classics", Hase Hajimu "Camp", Nomoto Karia "Dance Music" and others. Resident at the events "Minor Holidays Cafe" (Shinjuku Oto) and "Neo Classic" (Shibuya Organ b.), he recently had a 12" single released under the unit name Sherlock Notes.

Sound samples at Jet Set

Kawanishi Suguru "Vinyl Fantasy"
川西卓 「Vinyl Fantasy」

(Artist / Title)
1. Intro ~ Sound Check
2. Citizen King / The Milkey Way
3. The Jive At Five Group / Sur le pont d'Avignon
4. Kati Kovacs / Viva La Vida
5. Scratchy Muffin & Corkey Burger / I'll Make You Happy (U Knows U Love U)
6. Annie / Tomorrow (White House Version)
7. DJ Z-Trip & DJ P / Yesterday
8. Suger Babe / kyou wa nanda ka
9. The Electric Indian / My Cherie Amor
10. Toploader / Dancing In The Moonlight
11. The Go! Team / Huddle Flash (Kevin Shields V The Go! Team)
12. The Cherry Orchard / Eeverybody Knows
13. The Hormones / Mr. Wilson
14. Sammy Masters / I Fought The Law (And The Law Wow)
15. The Nilsmen / Le Winston
16. Supercharge / Don't Let Go
17. Ricardo Ray Orchestra / Sookie, Sookie
18. Buckwheat Zydeco / On A Night Like This
19. Shango / Sunshine Superman
20. Lecuona Cuban Boys / Compadre Pedero Juan
21. Eddie Cano / Do-Re-Mi
22. The Off Spring / Intermission
23. Cornershop / Candyman
24. Black Tie / I Feel Fine
25. The Blow Monkeys / It's Not Unusual
26. Northen Songs / Hello Little Girl
27. The Rockers / Jes' Fruggin
28. The Church Street Five / A Night With Daddy "G"
29. Chubby Checker / Let's Twist Again
30. Blue Aquarius / Know Him While You Can
31. Dave Daffodil / Sambossa
32. Shaggy / Chica Bonita
33. Happy As Annie / Lallikin Love (Felix Como O Annie)
34. Hot,Cold Sweat / Meet Me At The Go-Go
35. Texana Dames / The Mall Parade
36. Robbie-B & Jazzy-J / Jazzy-J On The Scratch
37. Double Dee & Steinski / Jazz
38. Rated X / Law Of Groovity
39. Double Dee & Steinski / Jazz
40. Epmd / I'm Housin
41. T La Rock / Get Yours
42. Eric B & Rakim / Don't Sweat The Technique
43. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo / Bad To The Bone
44. Casper / Adrenalin
45. Jurassic 5 / Lesson 6 ; The Lecture
46. Bobby Jay & The Hawks / Balboa Blue Ska
47. Maki Rinka / What Girls Want For A Man! (DJ 440's Top Billin' Mix)
48. The Mafia / ABC
49. Aeroplanitaliani / Silenzio (Parla Lei)
50. Whiz Kid With Ysl / Let's Get It On
51. Bob & The Mob feat. DJ Slayer & MC Speed / It's A Shame
52. Miracle Sounds Orchestra / yōsei no shi

Blockhead BKHDCD004
Out 4/27, ¥1410 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

Chimidoro, fine indies electro rap unit on the Tokyo Fun Party label, has a first full-length album out now! "minna no uta" ("Everybody's song") invites you to dance and sing along.
On the shelves next to Digiki's long awaited (and well deserved) "Beat Vacation".

There's a release party on April 29 (Sunday, next day is Golden Week), details at Tokyo Fun Party.

Chimidoro "minna no uta"
チミドロ 「みんなのうた」

1. Baby
2. Royal Milk Tea
3. Sun
4. tongari Beat de daikoufun
5. Woman
6. shigoto shitakunai
7. oho-tsuku
8. megane
9. 999kaiura

Tokyo Fun Party FUN7306
Out now! (4/25), ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV,

A rare film starring character Keroyon (a frog) is being released on DVD this year, celebrating his creator Fujishiro Seiji's 65th anniversary of activity (hey, any reason is good for a Keroyon re-release). The DVD contains the 90-minute live action film "Keroyon no bōken" ("Keroyon's Adventure") first shown in theatres in 1968. It features human-sized cartoon-like characters and beautiful colorful sets, and is said to be the first full-length film of the genre.

Keroyon was born from a children's TV series named "mokubaza Hour" ("Wooden Horse Theatre Hour") in the mid-60's. Those who knew Keroyon in real time surely still have vivid memories of him and his lively greetings "Ke~royon!" and "bahaha~i!". The character was also used by restaurant chain Fujiya alongside popular character Peko-chan.

A month later is to be released "Keroyon no dai jidōsha Race", also for the first time on DVD.

Release official site

"Fujishiro Seiji: Keroyon no bōken"
「藤城清治　ケロヨンのぼうけん」 (DVD)
English title: "Adventure of Keroyon"
(1968 / 90 mins. / Color / Mono / Region 2)

Columbia COBM-5514
Out 6/27 7/18, ¥3990
Order: Amazon (25% off on pre-orders!), HMV, Tower, YesAsia

Halfby has a 4th major single coming up! The title track is a girl surf anthem featuring Scottish bikini girl trio The Chi Chis. A sure summer tune!

As goes this series (the rest of which is completely sold out), this is a strictly limited edition with a bonus sticker. Buy early!

Halfby "Slip On"

1. Slip On
2. Impossible Carpets
3. Bookstore Pal On Brick Street
4. Slip On (Halfby's Slip That Disco Remix)

Toy's Factory TFCC-89207
Out 6/27, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, , Amazon U.S.

Would you believe that Fantastic Plastic Machine has an original BE@RBRICK coming soon! FPM collaborated directly with HMV and Medicom Toy to create this replica of himself. Pre-orders are being taken at HMV (online and in-store).

You can read the dialog and view photos related to the creative process here at HMV: 1, 2, 3, 4

FPM×HMV BE@RBRICK

FPMBE@R
Out 7/4 7/7, ¥1050
Pre-order: HMV

After a reggae surprise, Towa Tei is back to selecting house with a 5th of his popular "Motivation" series. This one focuses on female vocals and is packed with tracks he's been spinning lately.

Various Artists "Motivation Five compiled by Towa Tei"

1. Feist / One Evening (Vv Mix)
2. Soularis / Fire
3. Polyphonics feat. Hasina Sheik / Circles
4. Jason Herd feat. Katherine Ellis / So Strong (J's Fat Arse Dub)
5. Antoine Clamaran feat. Emily Chick / Keep On Tryin'
6. Dub Pistols / Rapture feat. Terry Hall
7. Gossip / Standing On The Way Of Control (Playgroup Remix)
8. Novika / Finally (Innocent Sorcerers Mix)
9. The Black Ghosts / Face (Switch Remix)
10. Kid Massive feat. Tiger Lily / Friends
11. Soul Central feat. Billie / In Ten City (Vocal Mix)

hug Columbia COCP-51027
Out 6/20, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Amazon U.S.

See also:
"Motivation - Songs for Make-up" (#1)
"Motivation - Driving Sweets" (#2)
"Motivation 3 compiled by Towa Tei"
"Motivation 4 Dusty Dance Hall compiled by Towa Tei"

This remix album of Diana Ross & The Supremes will be a killer. Konishi Yasuharu, Fantastic Plastic Machine, Halfby, Handsomeboy Technique, Captain Funk, Jazztronik, DJ Fumiya (Rip Slyme), GTS, Force of Nature and more have their take with the 60's girl group.

FPM's remix can be heard in full on his MySpace (at time of writing).

Various Artists "Diana Ross & The Supremes Remixes"

1. You Can't Hurry Love (Remixed by Konishi Yasuharu)
2. You Keep Me Hangin' On (Remixed by DJ Fumiya (Rip Slyme))
3. I'm Coming Out (Remixed by Jazztronik)
4. Baby Love (Remixed by Halfby)
5. Upside Down (Remixed by I-dep)
6. The Boss (Remixed by GTS)
7. Theme Of Mahogany (Remixed by Captain Funk)
8. Stop! In The Name Of Love (Remixed by Low Jack Three)
9. I'm Still Waiting (Remixed by Handsomeboy Technique)
10. I'm Coming Out (Remixed by Force of Nature)
11. Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Remixed by Fantastic Plastic Machine)

Less Than Zero UMCK-1228
Out 6/27, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Amazon U.S.

The Komaneko 1-hour stop-animation film, that was shown in theaters starting in December 2006, will finally be released on DVD!

There will be a pre-order-only limited edition with the following extras:
- a box just like Komaneko's picnic box in the movie, this box opens into two different scenes from the movie!
- Komaneko stuffed doll;
- three smaller stuffed character key-chains;
- a sticker sheet;
- 7 photo cards.

Official release page

"komadori eiga: komaneko" (DVD)
「こま撮りえいが： こまねこ」
(60 min. + bonus 40 min., color, Japanese 5.1 ch., 4:3, probably region 2)

Main feature chapters (60 min.) (unofficial translations)
1. hajime no ippo (The first step)
2. Camera no renshū (Camera practice)
3. koma to rajibo- (Koma and Rajibo)
4. Rajibo no tatakai (Rajibo's battle)
5. hontō no tomodachi (Real friends)
(1, 3 and 5 are 3D stop-animation, 2 and 4 are 2D stop-animation)

Bonus features (40 min.)
- Komaneko ga dekiru made ~Making~ (Until Komaneko was done ~Making of ...~)
- Staff interviews
- Komaneko new shots (stills)

Director Gōda Tsuneo and animator Minegishi Hirokazu commentary

Limited edition box
Geneon GNBD-1165
Out 7/25, ¥7980 (tax incl.)
Pre-order only (until 5/15!!! then it's over): Amazon (25% off!), HMV (25% off!), Tower, YesAsia

Regular edition (DVD only)
Geneon GNBD-1164
Out 7/25, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax) (tax incl.)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (25% off *), HMV (25% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

This club music compilation selected by Nasu Kisaku (Jazz Integral) contains mostly previously released songs by Fantastic Plastic Machine, Halfby, Nakatsuka Takeshi feat. Toki Asako (Cymbals), jenny01 (Ōnuki Taeko cover produced by Sunaga Tatsuo), FreeTEMPO, Mizumoto Akira (PAM, TMVG), a new song by Studio Apartment, and more. Out on new label Tokio Integral.

Various Artists "Tokio Integral Presents Metropolitan Classics"

1. Mizumoto Akira / Sam The Samba Man
2. Nakatsuka Takeshi / Your Voice (Sings with Toki Asako)
3. Yoshizawa Hajime / I Am With You (Radio Edit)
4. Fantastic Plastic / Whistle Song
5. Halfby / Cool Herb
6. Kakoi Miku / kazaranai jōnetsu (Gira Mundo Remix (Radio Edit))
7. Studio Apartment / Isn't She Lovely feat. Kenny Bobien
8. Chari Chari / Aurora
9. i-dep / Jump!
10. jenny01 / tokai
11. Joyce Coming / It's You
12. FreeTEMPO / Love Affair
13. Studio Apartment / Wonderful Tonight feat. Kimara Lovelace

Tokio Integral INTGC-1
Out 4/25, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Amazon U.S.

New manga-based TV series "Sexy Voice and Robo" has a jazzy soundtrack produced by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone).

The series airs on NTV every Tuesday at 22:00.

Nakatsuka Takeshi "Sexy Voice And Robo"
中塚武 「セクシーボイスアンドロボ」

1. Sexy Voice And Robo
2. Main Theme
3. Nico
4. Right On
5. Nico to Robo no Blues
6. Robo's Suite
7. 2CV
8. Sneakin' Up
9. Professional Yocchan
10. Tuesday Night Special
11. Nico's Ballad
12. Max Robo no Theme
13. Moon 2 a.m.
14. junjō Street Blues
15. Robo on Fire
16. Too Late Blues
17. Fatback
18. jizōdō shujin
19. Nico's Sonata
20. Hit The Bongo
21. Nico's Lullaby

Vap VPCD-81562
Out 5/30, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

"kui tan 2", successor to the popular food detective TV series, will start airing on April 14. Once again its soundtrack consists of classical music remixed by Konishi Yasuharu!

kui tan 2 airs on NTV every Saturday from 21:00, starting April 14.

kui tan official site
Previous series "kui tan" soundtrack

TV soundtrack "kui tan 2"
TVサウンドトラック 「喰いタン2」

1. Georges Bizet / Prelude from "Carmen"
2. Giuseppe Verdi / Brindisi from "La Taraviata"
3. Maurice Ravel / Bolero
4. Antonio Vivaldi / Spring from "The Four Seasons" Allegro(I) ～alternate version～
5. Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky / Vii.Dance of the Reeds from "Nutcracker Suite.Op.71a"
6. Luigi Denza / Funiculi Funicula
7. Richard Wagner / Opera "die Walkure" Ride of the Valkyries
8. Antonio Vivaldi / Spring from "The Four Seasons" Allegro(I)
9. Johann Sebastian Bach / Concertio for Harpsicode No.5 in G minor BWV.1056

Vap VPCD-81564
Out 5/30, ¥2096 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV

Akakage's mix CD series "Osteria del Rosso" is back with a 4th installment, this time out on his own new label called Noboru. Included is his hit track "Lovely Day" from latest album "Fighissima".

Various Artists "Osteria del Rosso -Semifreddo-"

(Title / Artist)
1. Lovely Day feat. Georgia Carter / Akakage
2. Get Over Here (Other Version) / Rasmus Faber feat. Melo
3. Free (Sumo vocal bounce) / Mojo Project
4. Light up your life (Kid Massive ∓ Raoul Vocal Mix) / The Rhythm Slaves
5. Sunrise (One Foot In The Groove's Latin Jazz Expedition) feat. Tisha Pringle
6. Fiebre (Raul Ricon's My Salsa Mix) / Simon & Shaker
7. Tomo Latinos (Dan Rubell Remix) / Rey Salinero
8. Bang! / Santos Presents Shakadelic Drums
9. Fuerza / Big World
10. Feel So Good (Hott 22 Remix) / Hott 22
11. El Verano (Pumping da Pump Mix) / Sandra Cires
12. Summer Love (Original Club Mix) / Rhythm Royal
13. Missing You (Late Nite Mix) / Steal Vybe feat. Cordell Mc Clarey
14. Atravessar / Jazz Juice
15. De manha feat. Flavia / Akakage

Noboru XQCB-1001
Out now (4/4), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV

This soundtrack to new manga-based TV drama "Liar Game" (Fuji TV), about to start on April 14, is produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and will be released on his label contemode in May.

"Liar Game" airs on Fuji TV every Saturday from 23:00, starting April 14.

One song can be sampled at Yamaha and HMV.

TV soundtrack "Liar Game"
「Liar Game サウンドトラック」

1. Prologue
2. Liar Game
3. The Force of Gravity
4. Dizziness
5. Electrode Spark 0101
6. Wonders of the World
7. Dope Headz
8. Mist
9. Breakthrough

contemode YCCW-50004
Out 5/23, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, , Amazon U.S.

solange et delphine offers a great line-up for its upcoming show at Aoi Heya, sharing the stage with Aprils (mini-live), sono na wa Spade and frenesi. Readymade's Yoshida Tetsuto will also be DJing.

solange et delphine will be selling a new 2-song CD-R which includes a remastered version of the great "Broad Away" and also a new song, "Cosmetique Standards".

yume to Cosme
ユメトコスメ
on 4/22
at Aoi Heya (Shibuya)

Live:
solange et delphine
Aprils
sono na wa Spade
frenesi

DJ:
Yoshida Tetsuto
Usuyamada Yō (allfive)

Opens at 19:30, ends at 23:00
Price: adv. ¥2500, door ¥2800

Nagoya girl solo unit Strawberry Machine is having its two albums re-released by label abcdefg*record.

"zero zero five" was first released in 2000 and then re-released in 2004 to coincide with the release of "crazy kilt". Both albums feature an extensive list of indie picopico electro-pop artists including Sonic Coaster Pop, Plus-Tech Squeeze Box, the Aprils with YMCK, naivepop and petitfool, Hazel Nuts Chocolate, macdonald duck eclair, Micro Mach Machine, sonicberry favour, and yet more.

Only 500 copies of each are being re-released, and are then fated to again become super rare, so be sure not to miss this batch. Label abcdefg*record's online shop ships for free within Japan and includes a bonus talk CD-R. (I don't think they ship outside of Japan though.)

Strawberry Machine "zero zero five"

1. machine gun love song (w/ sonicberry favour)
2. VTR Start (SM Products)
3. Fruits Tea (SM Products)
4. applique (SM Products)
5. itsumo issho (w/ Suzuki Akira (Sonic Coaster Pop))
6. okashi na suiyōbi (SM Products)
7. Crush? (w/ Nishioka Masahiro)
8. masical groove robot (w/ Nishioka Masahiro)
9. shabondama Holiday (w/ naivepop or petitfool)
10. Panda to watashi (w/ natural graphity)
11. noon (w/ miette-one)
12. Appliqué (remix by Nishioka Masahiro)
13. okashina suiyōbi (remix by Plus-Tech Squeeze Box)

abcdefg*record A-G036
Out 4/11, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, abcdefg*record (Japan only)

Strawberry Machine "crazy kilt"

1. VTR Start! 2 (SM Products)
2. AM 8 - PM 5 (pandacrash)
3. chiisana ouchi (SM Products)
4. Manicure Groove (Yuppa (Hazel Nuts Chocolate))
5. Twinkle of the Stars, Little Stars, Shining Stars (Aprils feat. YMCK)
6. Interlude
7. kurechoko (fuwamaro)
8. The roomnumber is 3021 (macdonald duck eclair)
9. Skaters Waltz (Micro Mach Machine)
10. green hill (sonicberry favour)
11. melon soda (naivepop or petitfool)
12. free arrows (Suzuki Akira (Sonic Coaster Pop/Usagi-chang))

abcdefg*record A-G037
Out 4/11, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, abcdefg*record (Japan only)

Fender Rhodes player Ino Hidefumi has a new mini-album coming soon, in a collaboration with Tower Records. The 4-song CD will consists only of songs written by himself, who until now had only released covers.

Ino Hidefumi will play a live set in London on April 14 — locals: don't miss it! Check the official site for details.

Ino Hidefumi "The Force of Exotic"
(Early title: "A Great Peace of Mind")

1. Galemn
2. Green Power
3. +2°C
4. A Great Peace of Mind

TWINC-1
Out 6/4, ¥1575
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower,