Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Osaka club record label Orange Records's groovy party band Argyle brings us a winter-themed mini-album. While a bit more quiet and soft than usual, we're told that these are party tunes nonetheless. Out just now!

Argyle "Melodies Snowflake"

1. Argyle Bossa
2. Walkout to winter
3. Filter
5. suteki na Soul Music
4. yuki no ashioto
6. merry note of snowflake

Orange Records ORGR-028
Out 11/30, ¥1715 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Ishino Takkyū (Denki Groove) has produced a new single for Kimura Kaela! "Jasper" is to be the theme song for the film "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium"'s Japanese version. It's said to be her first take at techno! The B-side is produced by Beat Crusaders.

The DVD that comes with the limited edition contains videos for "No Reason Why" and "Honey B ~mitsubachi Dance~".

Kimura Kaela "Jasper"
木村カエラ 「Jasper」

1. Jasper
2. Dive Into Shallow
3. Jasper (Instrumental)
4. Dive Into Shallow (Instrumental)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Columbia COZA-291
Out 2/6, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (10% off *), HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
Columbia COCA-16050
Out 2/6, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Thanks to Nick for the tip!

This year again, idol unit Perfume will "service" their fans to special releases for Valentine's Day. First, there will be a boxed set containing their 3 indies-era singles ("Sweet Donuts", "Monochrome Effect" and "Vitamin Drop") plus a DVD of videos for "Monochrome Effect" and "Sweet Donuts" and bonus rare video footage. All of Perfume's indies singles are now very rare, so this is a unique chance for fans who caught on a bit late.

The box will contain extra room for "Fan Service: bitter (Normal edition)" released at the same time. First released for White Day last year in a limited edition package, that DVD has also become insanely rare since.

Perfume "Fan Service ~Prima Box~" (3CD+DVD)

Contains:
- "Sweet Donuts" CD (first released 2003/8)
- "Monochrome Effect" CD (first released 2004/3)
- "Vitamin Drop" CD (first released 2004/9)
- Bonus DVD ("Monochrome Effect" and "Sweet Donuts" videos + rare footage)
- Box to put everything in, with room for "Fan Service: bitter (Normal edition)" (see below)

Amuse GTCG-0609
Out 2008/2/13, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (20% off *), HMV (15% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Perfume "Fan Service: bitter (Normal edition)" (DVD)

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-1112
Out 2008/2/13, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (26% off *), HMV (21% off *), YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Crue-L pianist Tsukamoto Saiko, who has long been active as Museum of Plate, has a first solo album being released as her own name. This is a 100% solo piano album of timeless masterpieces, said to defy the eras, generations, genders and trends. Included are covers of Elvis Costello "She", Primal Scream "Higher Than The Sun" and Sting "Every Breath You Take", and also some Museum of Plate self-covers.

Saiko Tsukamoto "Tiny Finger Pianist"
サイコ・ツカモト 「タイニー・フィンガー・ピアニスト」

1. Muse of Planet
2. Home
3. She
4. Higher Than The Sun
5. Water Loop
6. The Tale of The Bamboo Cutter
7. Mori no Piano
8. A Piece for Tiny Finger I
9. Every Breath You Take
10. Outvention
11. Umi
12. Take a Rest with Fujinoscape
13. The Bamboo Cutter meets OLaibi

Crue-L KYTHMAK124DA
Out 12/22, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Club artists offer us covers and remixes of songs from the well known films of Studio Ghibli. Featured are Halfby, Mr.comicstore, Boot Beat and many more. This is available only at Jet Set and Village Vanguard for the time being, although a wider release is planned for February 20, 2008. It's smart to get it early while you can.

Audio samples at Happinet and Jet Set

Various Artists "kirakira Ghibli"
オムニバス 「キラキラジブリ」

1. Sakurai Kyō / Slug keikoku no asa (from "Laputa: Castle in the Sky")
2. Happy Synthesizer / tonari no Totoro (from "My Neighbor Totoro")
3. Halfby / sanpo (from "My Neighbor Totoro")
4. Boot Beat / Rouge no dengon (from "Kiki's Delivery Service")
5. DJ Nohara / kaze no tani no Nausicaa (from "Nausicaa of the Valley")
6. OnePeace / umi no mieru machi (from "Kiki's Delivery Service")
7. Lark Chillout feat. 45 / tenkū no shiro Laputa (from "Laputa: Castle in the Sky")
8. Mr.comicstore / mononoke hime (from "Princess Mononoke")
9. Special Others / kimi o nosete (from "Laputa: Castle in the Sky")
10. World's End Girlfriend feat. Yukawa Shione / kimi o nosete (from "Laputa: Castle in the Sky")
11. De De Mouse & Honna Yōko / Country Road (from "Whisper of the Heart")

Happinet HMCH-1012
Out 11/28, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out), Play-Asia,

Noel Records, which last year released the 12" compilation "A Gift For Swingin' Christmas" (with tracks by Sherlock Notes, V-Neck Afternoon and Monsieur Mieurax), is back this year with another jazzy and swinging Christmas record. This time we get a total of 5 tracks by Boot Beat, Three Good Rules and more. Red vinyl!

Various Artists "Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day" (12")

A1. Boot Beat / kurisumasu
A2. DJ Sora-Mimi / Jingle Bells
A3. Yumin Horibe / A Hectic Christmas
B1. Snob Doggs / Michelle's Jingle Bell Boogie
B2. Three Good Rules / Definition of a King of Santa

Noel Records NOEL-002
Out late November early December 12/5, ¥1344
Order: Jet Set (once out)

Konishi Yasuharu has produced a Christmas song for SMAP! This is their first new song this year, the first since the omnipresent "arigatō" single released a year ago. The 3'09" song will be sold at a low "thank you" (3 9) price, and that only at a temporary SMAP Shop located at Omotesandō Hills from December 2 until January 7.

SMAP "Happy Happy SMAP"

Out 12/2, ¥390
Buy at the temporary SMAP Shop at Omotesando Hills from December 2 until January 7 only

Acclaimed designer and VJ (well, if you ask him he'll say he's a "media rapist") Ukawa Naohiro has a DVD of music videos he directed coming up! Included are songs by Sunahara Yoshinori, Denki Groove × Scha Dara Parr, InK, Sweet Robots Against The Machine, Supercar, Boredoms and many more. There's even a commentary track by the mysterious man himself.

Ukawa Naohiro "Intoxicating Music Clips of Ukawa Naohiro 'Mad Hat Laughs!!!!!'" (DVD)
宇川直宏 「Intoxicating Music Clips of Ukawa Naohiro 'Mad Hat Laughs!!!!!'」

Expected tracks
Sweet Robots Against The Machine / Audio Sex
DJ Tasaka / Street Stars Breakin'
Supercar / Yumegiwa Last Boy
Supercar / Recreation
Sunahara Yoshinori / Spiral Never Before
Great3 / Dan Dan Dan
The Orb / From A Distance (Lad Edit)
iLL / Rapilled I Movement
Denki Groove × Scha Dara Parr / Twilight#1 (Abstract na ringotachi)
Denki Groove × Scha Dara Parr / Twilight#2 (buzoroi no nejiyashiki)
Back Drop Bomb / Sigh (Cubismo Grafico Remix)
InK / Bassline
Supercar / Bgm
Cicada / Kussa
Supercar / Free Hand (Live VJ Edit)
Back Drop Bomb / Boogie & Swerve
Lad Musician / 2000 A/W Tokyo Collection "Post Peak”
Boredoms / Vision Creation Newsun
????????

Ki/oon KSBL-5885
Out 12/19, ¥4800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

After 5 years of release hiatus (except for a Capitol K remix in 2005), the great indies band Petset is back with some new material! This mini-album of 4 new songs comes with a new mix of hit track "The Modern Adventure" and a remix by label-mates Plus-Tech Squeeze Box.

Sound samples can be heard at Vroom Sound
Petset's new MySpace announcing the release

Petset "Flow Motion, Feather Light"
ペットセット 「フロウ・モーション、フェザー・ライト」

1. Friday Ferris Wheel
2. Time Capsule
3. Bird Of Paradise
4. Swing In '07 "Bus Stop"
5. The Modern Adventure (Brand New Mix)
6. Friday Ferris Wheel (Plus-Tech Squeeze Box REMIX)

Vroom Sound VMSD-016
Out 12/19, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

After Konishi Yasuharu a few years ago, it's Sunaga Tatsuo's turn to cover famous songs from Disney's collection! He's even called up his international friends such as Nicola Conte and The Five Corners Quintet, and also Readymade's Iwamura Manabu, to offer us this surely high-quality jazz album. A must for Disney and jazz fans!

Various Artists "Modal Jazz loves Disney"
(Early title: "Disney × Sunaga Tatsuo Cover Album")

1. The Five Corners Quintet / Winnie The Pooh (from Winnie The Pooh and The Honey Tree)
2. Native / A Whole New World (from Aladdin)
3. Akiko Grace Trio / Main Street Electrical Parade (from Disney Land)
4. Helge Lien Trio / Overture (from The Jungle Book)
5. orange pekoe / A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes (from Cinderella)
6. Iwamura Manabu / A Guy Like You (from The Bells of Notre Dame)
7. LTC / Bany Mine (from Dumbo)
8. Nicola Conte / When You Wish Upon A Star (from Pinocchio)
9. Sunaga t Experience feat. Till Bronner / Love (from Robin Hood)
10. Fabrizio Bosso / Someday My Prince Will Come (from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
11. Elizabeth Shepherd Trio / Beauty and Beast (from Beauty and the Beast)
12. Rosalia De Souza / Part Of Your World (from The Little Mermaid)

Walt Disney AVCW-12638
Out 2008/1/23, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Following the "Hosono Haruomi Tribute Album" out last year, comes a second one! This one is a 2-CD set featuring Buffalo Daughter, Sakamoto Ryūichi, Sakamoto Miu, Ōnuki Taeko, Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders), Sheena & The Rokkets, Kicell, and overseas artists such as Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) and Señor Coconut, and many more.

A DVD is included with visual tributes by Takagi Masakatsu and Thai artist Wisut Ponnimit.

Various Artists "Hosono Haruomi Strange Song Book - Tribute to Haruomi Hosono 2"
オムニバス 「細野晴臣 Strange Song Book - Tribute to Haruomi Hosono 2」

Disc 1
1. Kodaira-shiritsu Kamijuku Elementary School Music Club / kaze no tani no Nausica (Inst.)
2. Señor Coconut / Tokyo Rush
3. Hirth Martinez / Rockaby My Baby
4. Ōnuki Taeko / Femme Fatale
5. Kicell / shimen dōka
6. Dr. John / AIOIWAIAO
7. Suzuki Shigeru + Aoyama Yōichi / fuku wa uchi oni wa soto
8. Hayashi Tatsuo + Humming Kitchen / Chow Chow Dog
9. Sheena & The Rokkets / Pom Pom jōki
10. Suzuki Keiichi + Harada Tomoyo / Tokyo Shyness Boy
11. Aoki Takamasa + Hanno Yoshihiro + Fumiya Tanaka / Insomnia

Disc 2
1. Kubota Maki / Roochu Gumbo
2. Double Famous + Nikaidō Kazumi / shiawase Happy
3. Yoshida Minako + Kawai Daisuke / Glass no ringo
4. Buffalo Daughter / Simoun
5. Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) / haiiro no kaidan
6. Yamagen / natsu nan desu
7. Sakamoto Miu + Hasumi Shigeomi / giniro no Harmonica
8. Mica Box & Ayako Takatō / kaze o atsumete (Vo. ver.)
9. Sakamoto Ryūichi + fennesz / Normandia
10. Ann Sally + Pan Cake / haraiso
11. Shy Mongoloid (Hamaguchi Motoya, Minagawa Kōichi, Torii Makoto, Kitsu Shigeri, 三不敏視, Takatō Ayako, Unryū, Tokutake Hirofumi, Kase Tōru, Sandii) / Pliocine
　
DVD
Wisut Ponnimit inspired by “Hurricane Dorothy"
Takagi Masakatsu inspired by "Philharmony"

commmons RZCM-45783
Out 2008/1/23, ¥3809 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (15% off *), HMV (10% off *), YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

arcorhyme, the new unit of Takanami K-tarō (ex-Pizzicato Five) featuring Nishimura Ikuyo (ex-devbacc), finally has some CD releases coming up! In January we will be treated to not one but two albums! The first, "amai hibi ~la douce vie~", is recorded in studio with a real band, and will include songs such as the previously released title track and "Koiny Baby", and also a cover of Carol King's "Snow Queen". The second, "Soundmatic Brain", appears to be programmed techno-pop inspired from new wave and 80's kayōkyoku.

The all-star recording band members list will give shivers to any hardcore Pizzicato Five fan! It includes drummer Miyata Shigeo (the "5th member" of P5, who has played with Original Love), Suzuki Tomofumi (aka Chibun, ex-Portable Rock) on guitar, Nakahara Nobuo (also Portable Rock) on bass, and Nakayama Tsutomu (Sony-era P5 support musician, who has also played with Original Love) on keyboards.
Guest musicians will include the fascinations' vibraphonist Watanabe Masami, Kawaguchi Yoshiyuki (Kuricorder Quartet) on harmonica and conga, and Kon Naoya (The Swinging Boppers) on trumpet, Kuniyoshi Seiji (veteran keyboardist recently playing with Kojima Mayumi).

The programmed album will also feature a few guests, such as Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, Sally Soul Stew) on bass, Nakamori Yasuhiro (Hicksville) on guitar, Matsumoto Kenichi (Original Love) on sax, and Nakayama Tsutomu on keyboards.

arcorhyme "amai hibi ~la douce vie~"
アルコライム 「甘い日々 ～la douce vie～」

1. Do you believe in Magic? (cover of Lovin' Spoonful)
2. Rough Sketch
3. aoi neko
4. Snow Queen (cover of Carol King)
5. Charade
6. Never Fall In Love Again (cover of Southern All Stars)
7. Koiny baby
8. amai hibi ~la douce vie~
9. Soundmatic Information

Arcotone ARTO-3390
Out 1/23, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Pre-order at arcorhyme.com (Japan only)

arcorhyme "Soundmatic Brain"
アルコライム 「サウンドマティック・ブレイン」

1. Front
2. tsukiyo no hōseki ~Les Bijoutiers du Clair de Lune~
3. Shadow Tail
4. Don't you believe in Magic?!
5. Strawberry Decadence
6. kodoku na Beach Boy
7. fukigen na shinjitsu
8. You Really Got Me (cover of The Kinks)
9. Couples
10. koi no jigoku
11. Sweet Information

Arcotone ARTO-3391
Out 1/23, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Pre-order at arcorhyme.com (Japan only)

Commemorating UK band The Go! Team's upcoming Japan tour in December, a Japan-exclusive mini-album will be released including remixes by Cornelius and Halfby.

The Go! Team will play in Tokyo on December 4, and in Osaka on December 5.

The Go! Team official Japan site

The Go! Team "The Wrath of Marcie"

1. The Wrath Of Marcie (Single Edit)
2. Doing It Right (Live)
3. Grip Like A Vice (Live)
4. The Wrath Of Marcie (Live)
5. Bottle Rocket (Live)
6. Doing It Right (Yo Majesty vs Burnt Clay Remix)
7. Universal Speech (Remixed by Cornelius)
8. Team Of Chuck Mix (Remixed by Halfby)

tearbridge NFCT-27066
Out 12/5, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

YMCK are back with a 3rd album full of wonderful new songs with their 8-bit Famicom sound! That's correct, don't go thinking that they have went 16-bit Sega Genesis because of the title. This is their first major release as they now signed to major label Avex!! They assure fans that they won't let themselves be influenced by the mainstream machine.

From January 11 to 13, the whole album can be heard in full at MySpace!

YMCK "Family Genesis"
YMCK 「ファミリージェネシス」

1. Prologue
2. sabita tobira no dai 8 tengoku
3. Pleiades
4. Starlight
5. izukata no fue
6. Curving The Rock
7. Future Invasion
8. Rain
9. System Reboot
10. Floor 99
11. Major Swing
12. 8 banme no niji
13. jidai okure no sora
14. Finale ~Welcome to the 8bit world~

avex trax AVCD-23459
Out 2008/1/16, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Indies chip-tune label VORC brings us a Christmas compilation of well-known Christmas pop songs remixed in 8-bit style by Japanese and international artists.

There will be a release party on December 16 at Shibuya amate-raxi. Entrance is ¥2500, or ¥2000 for those who reserve.

Official release page with samples
Release party event page

Various Artists "Holy 8bit Night"

1. Yamashita Tatsurō / Christmas Eve (Saitone Remix) (by Saitone)
2. Matsutoya Yumi / koibito ga Santa Claus (Sweden chip mix) (by COVOX)
3. Mariah Carey / All I Want For Christmas Is You (Goto80's Super Wail Remix) (by Goto80)
4. Wham! / Last Christmas (Nitro RJB remix) (by Far East Recording)
5. Felix Bernard / Winter Wonderland (by Bit Shifter)
6. Leroy Anderson / Sleigh Ride (Saitone Remix) (by Saitone)
7. Donny Hathaway / This Christmas (Tanikugu remix) (by Tanikugu)
8. Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson / Frosty the Snowman (Frosty RX) (by she)
9. Leon Jessel / Parade of the Toy Soldiers (Parade%Of%The%Wooden%Soldiers.gb) (by suge)
10. Sakamoto Ryūichi / Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence (One gameboy remix) (by Xinon)
11. Moritaka Chisato / Gin Gin Jingle Bell (NSF Edition) (by K->)
12. Irving Berlin / White Christmas (White Xs) (by Bud Melvin (w/ Jessica Billey))
13. Christmas Classic Mega-Mix (Xmas Song Megamix) (plastic sputnik arcade punk) (by hally)

VORC RUCQ-1004
Out now (11/7), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Vibraphone-led jazz unit the fascinations has a 10" coming out, preceding the release of new album "quiet dance". Aside from new track The Clash's "Rock The Casbah", included are Vanessa Paradis' "Be My Baby" (from "My Funny Vibraphone") and Minnie Riperton's "Lovin' You" (from "color code").

the fascinations "Rock The Casbah" (10")

A1. Rock The Casbah
A2. Be My Baby
B1. Lovin' You

highcontrast HCR-9639
Out 11/23, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

Finally, Missing Linc has a full length album, and it's out now on CD! Their 5 previously released 12"'s are completely included, plus 5 new songs. The whole is a non-stop mix. Club music fans and DJs don't want to miss this one.

Missing Linc is the "original mash-up" unit of Arai Toshiya (Kofta) and DJ Theme Park aka Nagai Katsutoshi, both DJs at the popular Organ b. event "Neo Classics". They have also released tracks together as Mr.comicstore and The Weedingmen.

Missing Linc "In The Linc Room"

1. Oh! celebrate
2. Bitter sweat samba
3. Coffee bahia
4. Deixa show pra la
5. Ambros samba
6. Three big noise from Winnetka
7. Sabu espagnole
8. The Boo Boo Song (Remix)
9. St.Thomas (Remix)
10. Surfin bird (Remix)
11. King of scorpio
12. It's your beat, if you like sucker mc's
13. Mr.K and Mr.A drink old gold
14. Enterprise rescue me!
15. Home computer's delight
16. Burnin' up the winning
17. Gil cat

Danma DRCD-001
Out now (10/27), ¥1890
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Ex-Cymbals Toki Asako's cover album "Weekend Shuffle" (2006) is being remixed by the likes of Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and Nakatsuka Takeshi.

Various Artists "Toki Asako Remixes Weekend Shuffle"

1. September (Kaleido Remix)
2. kimi ni mune kyun. (Nakata Yasutaka capsule Remix)
3. yume de aetara (Nakatsuka Takeshi Remix)
4. Sunday Morning (KGO D&B Remix)
5. doyōbi no koibito (Reggae Disco Rockers Remix)
6. September (indigo jam unit Remix)
7. Take Me Out To The Ballgame (Elmio's love acoustic Remix)

Pacific LDCD-50038
Out 11/21, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, , Amazon U.S.

Japan's top club jazz artists contribute to a Blue Note tribute cover album with all brand new recordings. Featured are Sunaga t Experience, Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), Jazztronik, Audio samples at MySpace, where there's also a T-shirt design contest going on in collaboration with Design Garden

Various Artists "Blue Note Street"
オムニバス 「ブルーノート・ストリート」

1. Jazztronik / Street Walkin' Woman (Marlena Shaw)
2. Soil & "Pimp" Sessions / Mode To John (McCoy Tyner)
3. Muro / Afrodisia (Kenny Dorham)
4. Kyoto Jazz Massive / Off and On (Moacir Santos)
5. DJ Kaori / Don't Know Why (Norah Jones)
6. Toshio Matsuura Group / Night In Tunisia (Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers)
7. Sunaga t Experience / Avila and Tequila (Hank Mobley)
8. Takeshi Nakatsuka / Moanin' (Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers)
9. Home Grown / Cleopatra's Dream (Bud Powell)
10. DJ Kawasaki / Maiden Voyage (Herbie Hancock)
11. Robert Glasper Experiment / Oriental Folk Song (Special Guest from Blue Note)

Blue Note TOCP-70317
Out 11/21, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, , Amazon U.S.

InK, the unit of Ishino Takkyū (Denki Groove) and Kawanabe Hiroshi (Tokyo No.1 Soul Set), has two 12" EPs coming up. These contain tracks from the recent album "InK PunK PhunK", but also some remixes and brand new tracks!

InK "InK EP1" (12")

A1. Z
A2. Z (Remixed by Motor)
B1. Momo (Previously unreleased)
B2. Complicated Companion Crew

File SYUM-356
Out 11/28, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out), Amazon, HMV

InK "InK EP2" (12")

A1. Radio5
A2. Radio5 (Remixed by Herve)
B1. Golden Chang (Previously unreleased)
B2. Simply Minds

File SYUM-357
Out 11/28, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out), Amazon

Avalon will be back with a 2nd release, again in the form of a mini-album of 6 songs, follow-up to "Tate House 6 Don'ts". Ex-Harvard's Kotani Yōsuke suggests not to try to interpret the title too deeply.

Escalator also offers a special edition limited to 89, which comes with the CD signed, an Avalon T-shirt, Avalaon badges, and even 2 free passes to enter Avalon shows to be held in 2008. Avalon fans can't pass this up at ¥8000 (+tx)! Details at Escalator's reservation page.

Avalon "4 Gospels For 2 Testaments"

1. Avalonian's Shrine
2. Girl In The Laurel
3. Constelation Love
4. Abbysinian Gospel Club
5. Clear As Crystal
6. Exodus Testament

Escalator ESC-076 / XQAV-1576
Out 12/26, ¥2100
Pre-order: Escalator
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, YesAsia

Despite the creepy title, it's probably not the end of Escalator Records itself, as there's a new Avalon coming with the next catalog number. Maybe I wouldn't mind if this would mean the end of the "We Are Escalator..." compilation series though, as it's proving expensive to collect. :)

This one is by label boss Naka Masashi.

Various Artists "We Were Escalator Records 2.1 selected by Naka Masashi"

1. Neil and Iraiza / Melodyless Song
2. ? / Can't Take Love Down Your Grave
3. Cubismo Grafico / Fairytale Of Escape
4. Caede / Elevator
5. Clear / Lolita
6. Neil and Iraiza / Tambourine Flat
7. Yukari Fresh / Break
8. Phiiliip / It All Went Downhill Yesterday
9. Miniflex / Broodje
10. Le Hammond Inferno / Move Your MP3
11. Cubismo Grafico / Blissful
12. Yukari Fresh / Horsey Marie
13. Harvard / Clean & Dirty
14. Super / Frostbite
15. Losfeld / Clear Cut
16. Pop Tarts / Girlie Pop
17. ? / An Hour Or Two
18. Bjorn Synneby / To The Stars
19. Clear / Nu-teks
20. Avalon / Geometric Figures Music

Escalator ESCD-075 / XQAV-1075
Out 12/26, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia