Tokyo's Coolest Sound

This tribute album to Antonio Carlos Jobim will feature artists from the club-jazz scene, and then some. Interpretations by Cubismo Grafico, Ino Hidefumi, Toki Asako, akiko, Minami Yoshitaka, bird, Monday Michiru, ... should make this a must for bossa nova lovers.
Total produced by Café Après-Midi's Hashimoto Tooru!

Various Artists "Jobiniana ~ai to hohoemi to hana"
オムニバス 「ジョビニアーナ～愛と微笑みと花」

(Title / Artist)
1. The Girl From Ipanema / Sokabe Keiichi
2. Two Kites / orange pekoe feat. Pierre Barouh
3. Samba de Maria Luiza / NoaNoa
4. No More Blues / Monday Michiru
5. Someone To Light Up My Life / bird
6. Ela E Carioca / Minami Yoshitaka
7. Desafinado / akiko
8. Double Rainbow / Ino hidehumi
9. Estrada Do Sol / Tica
10. One Note Samba / Cubismo Grafico
11. Corcovado / Juju
12. Wave / Kirinji
13. PhotoGraph / Toki Asako
14. This Happy Madness / Tawata Emi

Sony AICL-1859
Out 10/10, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Sunaga Tatsuo's remix of Port of Notes' "Oasis", which ended up at the wrong speed in the first pressing of the recent remix album "Joint Adventure 2", will be released on a limited 12". Also included are an instrumental version, the original and a DSK remix for another song.

Port of Notes "Oasis" (12")

A1. Oasis (Mode for Kita-Horie) (Remixed by Sunaga t̀ Experience)
A2. Oasis (Mode for Kita-Horie Instrumental) (Remixed by Sunaga t̀ Experience)
B1. Oasis (Original)
B2. (I Could Feel You) Even In The Wind (DSK Guitapestry Mix)

Crue-L KYTHMAK116-1
Out mid-September early October mid-October late October, ¥1470
Order: Jet Set (once out), Tower

Ino Hidefumi has a new 7" coming up, 5th of the series. This one contains a brand new recording of Edith Piaf's "Hymne à l'amour", which he has been performing on a pianica at his shows. The B-side is an original song written by himself, of which the title seems to be a secret since it's been blurred out of the 7"'s design photo in an early announcement. previously released on "The Force of Exotic".

Ino Hidefumi "Hymne à l'amour" (7")
猪野秀史 「愛の讃歌」

A. Hymne à l'amour
B. +2°C (Exclusive 45)

Innocent Record IREP-0005
Out now (9/22), ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

Zin-say!, Ishino Takkyū's pre-Denki Groove joke new wave band, has its funny EP "BurBa PaPa" being re-released in a mini-LP-like paper jacket. The recordings have been remastered (or so they say).

Zin-say! "BurBa PaPa"
人生 「バーバ・パパ」

1. BurBa PaPa (Extended Version)
2. Mimio Jazz
3. Rap de Obaba
4. Live Dust OH2 (namagomi OH2)
5. Meca-Bayashi (kaizō tsurabayashi)

Captain/Solid CDSOL-1189
Out 9/22, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Sakamoto Ryūichi's label commmons brings us this collection of Japanese traditional or regional songs interpreted by artists such as Cornelius, Kahimi Karie, Yann Tomita, Sakamoto Ryūichi + Nakatani Miki, Kicell, and more.

Various Artists "nihon no uta: dai1shū"
オムニバス 「にほんのうた　第一集」

1. Minami Haruo + Cornelius "akatonbo"
2. Kirinji "hanyū no yado"
3. Sakamoto Ryūichi + Nakatani Miki "chiisai aki mitsuketa"
4. Kume Sayuri (aka Kubota Saki) "ryoshū"
5. Agata Morio "mori no kobito"
6. Ōnuki Taeko "kono michi"
7. Kicell "kanariya"
8. Yashiro Aki "Shōjūji no tanukibayashi"
9. Takada Ren "akatonbo"
10. Yann Tomita (Doopees) "yagisan yūbin"
11. Kahimi Karie + Ōtomo Yoshihide "karatachi no hana"

commmons RZCM-45660
Out 10/24, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, , Amazon U.S.

LOHAS magazine Lingkaran has put together a collection of nursury rhymes sung by a bunch of like-minded artists.

The line-up includes Nomiya Maki, Toki Asako, Chocolat & Akito, Furukawa Miki, Yano Akiko & Sakamoto Miu, Cano Caoli, Yukawa Shione, and more.

This is the first of the "For Baby" series, the next will be "Rock For Baby" to be released on 10/17.

Various Artists "Lingkaran For Baby"

1. Gospellers / ooki na kuri no ki no shita de
2. Natural High / utae ban ban
3. wyolica / kuroneko no Tango
4. Beautiful Humming Bird / Metropolitan bijutsukan
5. Yano Akiko & Sakamoto Miu / kumanbachi ga tonde kita
6. Furukawa Miki / kirakiraboshi
7. Higashida Tomohiro / itsuki no komoriuta
8. Yukawa Shione / akai hana shiroi hana
9. Beautiful Humming Bird / hamabe no uta
10. Saki / yūki hitotsu o tomo ni shite
11. Nomiya Maki / ohanashi yubi san
12. Suzuki Shōko / makka na aki
13. Ōya Yūsuke (from Polaris) / tooki yama ni hi wa ochite
14. Toki Asako / Ice Cream no uta
15. Ōyama Yurika / erabu no komoriuta ~ Where Is Your Mammy? ~ itta-anma-ma-kaiga
16. Furukawa Miki / teruteru bōzu
17. Chocolat & Akito / donadona
18. wyolica / oboro tsukiyo
19. Cano Caoli / Over The Rainbow

Ki/oon KSCL-1211
Out 9/26, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Sunaga Tatsuo has selected songs from New York latin label Fania for this new jazz-minded compilation.

Various Artists "Fania Jazz Lounge from New York"

(Title / Artist)
1. Jazzy / Willie Colon
2. After Midnight / Bobby Rodriguez
3. once / Kako's N.Y. After Hour Orq.
4. Horsin' Up / Orchestra Harlow
5. Fiesta De Tambores / Celia Cruz
6. Iberia / Mongo Santamaria
7. Aguatando / Bobby Vince Paunetto
8. Ain'tIt Funny What Love Can Do / Joe Cuba Sexttet
9. Latin Jazz No.6 / Cabrerita Y Sus Ideas
10. Para Los Rumberos/ Tito Puente
11. Last Tango In Paris / Willie Rosario
12. Brother Where Are you / RalfiPagan
13. Martinez / Monguito Santamaria
14. Joe Cuba's Mambo / Joe Cuba Sextette
15. PorLas Nubes/ Cabrerita
16. TeminhaPraBebe/ Mongo Santamaria
17. Round About Midnight / Ray Barretto

V2 V2CP-5029
Out 9/5, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Indies label K.O.G.A has a new girls band compilation coming up, 3rd of the "Good Girls Don't" seres, including new songs by Micro Mach Machine, Hazel Nuts Chocolate and many others.

A video for Micro Mach Machine's "GR" can be seen at YouTube.

Various Artists "Good Girls Don't! Neo"

1. scofitz / bessatsu Margaret
2. Berry Roll / Powerless me
3. Micro Mach Machine / BR
4. totos / Film
5. Napolitans / Last Knight Samurai
6. Broken Doll / STAND AT THE ROOFTOP
7. The Monmons / Crayon
8. weezie and moelies / flower and the crown
9. Not Loose / Raise A Fist
10. Onae Ai / bokura no sekai
11. Hazel Nuts Chocolate / Burning Tiger, Screaming Me
12. The Margarettes / Down you know I love you so.
13. Stinky Rat / C-A-N-D-Y
14. Clan Key / Super Summer Vacation
15. paji- inpusu (?) / Cherry Pie
16. Capris / Let's Go Surfin'
17. Teeny Frahoop / Tiny filled hope
18. The Cistems / Teen's Pop
19. hikarunagisa / sakamichi

K.O.G.A KOCA-39
Out 9/5, ¥1900 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Cosa Nostra's upcoming album "Life" will feature a return of all former 6 members for the time of a cover ("IKO IKO"). The song "Cherry Red no Roulette" will feature vocals by Nomiya Maki. Wada Akiko also does an appearance.

Cosa Nostra "Life"

1. Cherry/Red no Roulette feat Nomiya Maki
2. hikari to kaze feat. Baquerattah
3. hate shinai koi ~I always love you~
4. Life
5. ōgon noisu
6. tokai
7. Border Dub
8. akarui mirai keikaku
9. Come inside me feat. Pig The Ryo
10. Beware Boyfriend
11. mon amour
12. IKO IKO (Cover of Dr John / Dixie Cups)

Geneon GNCL-1123
Out 9/5, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Trivia!
An early track list also contained these songs (perhaps some have just changed titles).
Outer Area
Black Twist
Hit Song
yūbokumin
SMALL
If you don't want my love (Cover of Bobby Womack)

A month ahead of capsule's first remix album will be released this 12" EP containing two new self-remixes of "Sugarless GiRL"'s title track and another song from "FRUITS CLiPPER".

capsule "capsule RMX EP" (12")

A. Sugarless GiRL (rmx ver.)
B. CrazEEE Skyhopper (rmx ver.)

contemode YCJC-10005
Out 9/5, ¥1300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out), HMV

coltemönikha, the unit of fashion designer Kate Sakai (of brand Colkinikha) and capsule's Nakata Yasutaka, brings us an unexpected 2nd mini-album!

coltemonikha "coltemonikha 2"

1. Preparation
2. Domino
3. Darkness Rabbit
4. kanimoteruko
5. Sleeping Girl
6. Scene Killer
7. Namaiki
8. Namaiki (Extended Mix)

contemode YCCC-10009
Out 9/26, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, YesAsia,

capsule has a first remix album coming up, actually a collection of the best remixes previously released all self-remixes by Nakata Yasutaka, of songs from recent albums "Sugarless GiRL", "FRUITS CLiPPER" and "L.D.K. Lounge Designers Killer".

All songs can be sampled at MySpace

capsule "capsule rmx"

1. capsule rmx ->
2. jelly (rmx ver.)
3. Sugarless GiRL (rmx ver.)
4. CrazEEE Skyhopper (rmx ver.)
5. Portable Airport (rmx ver.)
6. do do pi do (rmx ver.)
7. Lounge Designers Killer (rmx ver.)
8. Sound of Silence (rmx ver.)
9. Glider (rmx ver.)

contemode YCCC-10010
Out 10/10, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Nagisa Yōko has a new album, no wait, a first original full album, coming out on Teichiku this month! This includes songs by Ai Satteaux (Hair), Ennio Morricone (w/ original Japanese lyrics) and Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band). The whole's sound producers are Matsumoto Toshiyuki and Koichi, formerly of Soul Bossa Trio and now part of a new unit called Le 3 (MySpace).

Audio samples at Teichiku's official release page

Her upcoming live shows are also worth a mention:
8/19 (Sunday) at Shimokitazawa Club Que (Opens 18:00, starts 18:30, adv. ¥2800, door ¥3000)
8/30 (Thursday) at Aoi Heya w/ DJ Himitsu Hakase (Opens 19:30, starts 20:00, adv. ¥3000, door ¥3500)

Nagisa Yōko "novella d'amore"

1. ai no hate ni
2. atarashii watashi
3. ai no hoshi
4. douse tengoku e ittatte
5. KABUKU
6. OTOME
7. shiosai
8. koi suru ayatsuri ningyō
9. manatsu no koi
10. kakkoii Boogaloo (album version)

Teichiku TECG-30009
Out 8/22, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

FPM has prepared a running mix for the Nike+ promotion, available on iTunes Japan only. Included is a new song titled "Samurai Breakin'" featuring athlete Tamesue Dai (aka Samurai Hurdler, he's "the first Japanese athlete to win two medals at international track and field events") and Atsushi of Dragon Ash.

Track 1 is a non-stop mix of tracks 2 to 7. Tracks 1 and 2 are not sold separately.

Fantastic Plastic Machine "Mission: Nike+ Original Run" (Download)

1. Mission: Nike+ Original Run (continuous mix) non-stop mixed by Tanaka Tomoyuki (Fantastic Plastic Machine)
2. Samurai Breakin' feat. Tamesue Dai & ATSUSHI (Dragon Ash)
3. Reaching for the Stars (MAW Dream Dub)
4. whistle song (Grant Nelson mix instrumental)
5. dance dance dance dance (instrumental)
6. paparuwa (extended mix)
7. euphoria (Mondo Grosso re-mix instrumental)

Out now (8/8), ¥1200
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Kotani Yōsuke of Harvard, pop unit that suddenly disbanded on May 3rd this year, is already back with a new band called Avalon! A first mini-album is being released on Escalator in September.

Avalon "Tate House 6 Don'ts"

1. Do's and Don'ts
2. 16
3. Andromeda Saint Chime
4. Evil Loves Devil
5. Geometric Figures Music
6. For The Tate House Aviators

Escalator ESC-075 / XQAV-1575
Out 9/26, ¥1890
Pre-order: Escalator
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

This event's title may attract some hysterical middle-aged ladies, thinking a Korean drama star is in town, but don't worry, this is definitely an indies music show. It will be held at Ochanomizu's CD rental shop Janis, and entrance is free!

Featured are artists Hosaka Akane (MySpace), her., Yamanoi Yuzuru, Adachi Reisaburo and Tokyomarry. Akane will play first, so don't be late!

Pe Yangun vol.2
ペ・ヤングン vol.2
on 8/12
at Ochanomizu Janis
3-6 Kanda-Ogawachō Chiyoda-ku (map, Google map)

Live:
Hosaka Akane
her.
Yamanoi Yuzuru
Adachi Reisaburo
Tokyomarry

Opens at 17:30, starts at 18:00
Price: Free! (+ 1 drink order)

Plastics' Nakanishi Toshio, aka Tycoon To, has a brand new album coming up, together with Natural Calamity's Sugimoto Kumi. The sleeve is hexagon-shaped.

Three of the songs are already available on iTunes as "Let It Dub - EP":

Tycoon To & Kuni Sugimoto "Let It Dub"

1. Electronic Sounds No.3
2. Archtect Of Love
3. Animals (Hidden In The Bed Room Wall)
4. My Space (With In/with Out)
5. Electronic Sounds No.4
6. Pink Sand Castle with Gōta Yashiki
7. Purple Beach with Gōta Yashiki
8. Electronic Sounds No.4 1/2
9. Fake Celeb
10. Monsters Ltd.
11. Plastic YMO
12. Shanghai Dub
13. T.V.Dog
14. Brian Eno
15. The Dive
16. Fake Celeb Reprise
17. Bleeding Ape
18. World's End

20001 20001-001
Out 8/4, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

It's been over 3 years since Second Royal's previous label compilation, "Second Royal volume.2", and it was about time for a new one!

Aside from new and previously unreleased tracks by the label's artists, there's an appearance by The Chi Chis who collaborated with Halfby on his latest single "Slip ON", and also a few other foreign artists said to be introduced in Japan for the first time, such as Happy Valley.

Those who can't wait will want to note that at HMV only, the CD will be sold 2 weeks early, from August 15!

Various Artists "Second Royal volume.3"

1. Halfby / The Farmer's Boys
2. Handsomeboy Technique / Magnificent Mass
3. Collette / Hot Banana
4. Kate / Fresh Feeling
5. The Chi Chis / Chi Chis Dance
6. Halfby / Bring It Back - Collette Remix -
7. Collette / Asatske
8. Sainas / Thin Down
9. Rufus / Back In Town Waltz
10. Happy Valley / Oh Matilda
11. Mr. B (The Gentleman Rhymer) / A Piece of My Mind
12. Handsomeboy Technique / Say It Loud
13. Rufus with Wednesday / The Amicable Sprit - Band Session 2007 -
14. Fredo / Pepe
15. Kate / Leave Me Behind
16. Satoru Ono / Golden Rule

Second Royal SRCD-016
Out 8/29, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV