Tokyo's Coolest Sound

FPM brings us a 10th installment of his popular "Sound Concierge" series! This time he focuses his selection to nothing but house tracks with Japanese lyrics!

As the rest of the series, we can expect limited edition artwork with desktop wallpaper as CD-Extra content. The limited edition usually disappears quickly, so be sure to buy early.

Fantastic Plastic Machine "Sound Concierge Japan"
Japanese Lyric Dance

1. 100s / Honeycom.ware (FPM's extended re-edit)
2. Cornelius / Drop
3. Qururi / WORLD’S END SUPERNOVA
4. Chara / Crazy for You (club edit)
5. Sheena Ringo & Saitō Neko / yokushitsu
6. Sokabe Keiichi / White Tipi
7. Fantastic Plastic Machine / Why Not? feat. Ryōhei (Japanese version)
8. Pizzicato Five / Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji ~the night is still young~ (talking toolbox mix)
9. kuchiroro / asa no hikari
10. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra / utsukushiku moeru mori (FPM bootleg house mix)
11. You The Rock / Grand Master Fresh Pt.2 feat. Fantastic Plastic Machine
12. Halcali / Oboroge Copy View
13. Ōsawa Shinichi / Our Songs
14. Every Little Thing / Fragile (FPM bitter sweet samba mix)

Avex Trax AVCD-23586
Out 3/26, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Amazon U.S.

Trivia!
It seems that this was originally planned to be 2 CDs released at the same time (AVCD-23516 and AVCD-23517), but those have been canceled and replaced by this one.
An early track list also included:
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set / Sunday

See also:
"Sound Concierge #401" (Amazon, Amazon U.S., YesAsia)
"Sound Concierge #402" (Amazon, Amazon U.S., YesAsia)
"Sound Concierge" #403 and #404
"Sound Concierge" #501 and Annex
"Sound Concierge #502"
"Sound Concierge" #701 and #702

Tei Towa produces this single for comedian Itao Itsuji, who appeared regularly on comedian unit Downtown's "Gottsu 'A' Kanji" TV show until 1997. Tei Towa has a bit of an history of producing music for comedians, including Downtown themselves as Geisha Girls in 1995, and Imada Kōji as KOJI 1200 (aka KOJI-12000) in 1996.

The included DVD contains a music video directed by Ukawa Naohiro.

Itao Itsuji "shōnen B" (CD+DVD)
板尾創路 「少年B」

1. shōnen B
2. shōnen A
3. shōnen B'
4. shōnen B (Instrumental)

DVD
shōnen B
taiyō o nusunda shōnen B

R&C YRCN-90009
Out 3/5, ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (10% off *), HMV (10% off *), YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Nomoto Karia is back, under her pseudonym Karly, with a surprise release of brand new instrumental electro/techno tracks that she made for the Nike+ project! The songs are sold only on iTunes (Japan only?). She says that she also did the artwork herself.

FPM also contributed a mix to the project last summer, titled "Mission: Nike+ Original Run".

Karly "blink: Nike+ Original Run"

1. Walking Tunes (Continuous Mix)
2. Stretching Tunes (Continuous Mix)
3. Running Tunes (Continuous Mix)
4. Rhythm Position
5. Winding Path
6. Make a Ripples
7. Sprouting of Nature
8. In the Balance
9. Hidden Pieces
10. Set Up
11. The Hill of Awareness

Out now (1/30), ¥1500 for album or ¥150 per track (continuous mixes are album-only)
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Two tracks from the recent "Modal Jazz loves Disney" compilation produced by Sunaga Tatsuo will be released as a 7" Mickey picture disc! This will vanish off the shelves.

Various Artists "Modal Jazz loves Disney E.P." (7")

A. The Five Corners Quintet / Winnie the Pooh (7inch Mix)
B. Elizabeth Shepherd Trio / Beauty and the Beast (7inch Mix)

Rhythm Republic RR12-88514
Out 2/14, ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order:

Happiness Records' popular "Tokyo Bossa Nova" series, that previously helped artists like Halfby and orange pekoe to gain popularity, had a new installment out last month. This one contains a song featuring Kahimi Karie.

Various Artists "Tokyo Bossa Nova ~agua~"

(Title / Artist)
1. Last Christmas / Iroha
2. hoshi furu yoru (lolop_mix) / summer soft
3. La situation est grave mais pas desesper´e feat. Kahimi Karie / Trio Los Michelle Ginga
4. hisoka na negai / manamana
5. I'm Not in Love / Bon Voyage with plutrio
6. Heavenly Sea / Nana feat. Kurokawa Ayumi
7. gin no honoo to tetsu no ame / amor fati
8. viola fora de moda / The Xangos
9. tada tadayou dake / Sweet Banana Horns feat. Hiraoka Yuichiro
10. shiawase no irie / achordion
11. Flower / Twilight set
12. omoide wa mō iranai / Flora
13. White Riot / Higashi&As Cri'veis

Happiness HRBD-003
Out now (2007/12/5), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

arcorhyme (MySpace), the new unit of Takanami K-tarō and Nishimura Ikuyo which just released 2 albums in January, will do a special event at café Go Slow located inside the Ikejiri Institute of Design.

More than just a live show, there will be "workshop" bits where K-taro plans to explain his songwriting process, and will also answer questions. Music sheets might also be given to the audience. They also invite you to bring your own song on a CD-R if you want to get some advice on your songwriting. (Those who just want to enjoy the show don't need to bring anything.)

arcorhyme live and workshop
on 3/1
at Go Slow
Ikejiri Institute of Design room #107
2-4-5 Ikejiri Setagaya-ku

Starts at 19:00
Price: ¥2000 (+ 1 drink)

SOFFet has a new album coming soon, and it includes a collaboration with Sunaga Tatsuo (Sunaga t Experience), among others. Last year both SOFFet and Sunaga-san collaborated to separate tracks on a dorlis single.

The album comes in two editions, the limited one with a bonus DVD.

SOFFet "New Standard"

1. Tokyo hotaru
2. hitori janai with Mongol800
3. New Standard with Sunaga t Experience
4. Minus to Plus with Kuro from Homemade kazoku
5. okiuta with Seamo
6. Answer
7. Potato Chips
8. Jackal
9. Into you with Spinna B-ILL
10. 音遊技 ~4dan~ with Depapepe
11. tegami ~a letter to my decade~ with Full Of Harmony
12. Love Story
13. anata no okage desu with Gaku-MC

DVD
1. Answer
2. Love Story
3. Tokyo hotaru
4. 2dome no First Kiss

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Rhythm Zone RZCD-45820
Out 2/27, ¥3400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (15% off *), HMV (10% off *), YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
Rhythm Zone RZCD-45821
Out 2/27, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

The Fairbanks, the solo unit of Suzuki Masanori (April Set, regular DJ at Organ b.), has a new 12" coming up. This time he mashes-up Ozomatli's "Saturday Night" with each of Steve & Eydie's "Rio De Janeiro" and Geoff & Maria Muldaur's "Brazil", into two club-oriented definite party tunes!

Audio samples at Jet Set

The Fairbanks "Saturday Night In Rio De Janeiro / Saturday Night In Brazil" (12")

A. Saturday Night In Rio De Janeiro
B. Saturday Night In Brazil

Bonus Trax BTR-004
Out 1/31 2/8, ¥1344 (promo only)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

Two new DVD releases from Cornelius! The first is a DVD version of album "Sensuous", including videos that have been used in the live shows of the latest tour. Videos are directed by Tsujikawa Kōichirō, except one by each Takagi Masakatsu and Groovisions.

The other is a collection of live footage of the "from Nakameguro to Everywhere" worldwide tour held from 2002 to 2004 (total of 12 countries, 57 shows), featuring mostly songs from the album "Point" .

Cornelius "Sensurround" (DVD)
(Region 2 NTSC, stereo/5.1, 50 min.)

1. Sensuous
2. Fit Song
3. Breezin'
4. Toner
5. Wataridori
6. Gum
7. Scum
8. Omstart
9. Beep It
10. Like a Rolling Stone
11. Music
12. Sleep Warm

Warner WPBL-90105
Out 3/19, ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (26% off *), HMV (21% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Cornelius "from Nakameguro to Everywhere tour '02-'04" (DVD)
(Region 2 NTSC, stereo)

1. Point of View Point
2. Smoke
3. Drop
4. Another View Point
5. Clash
6. Count Five Or Six
7. I Hate Hate
8. Tone Twilight Zone
9. Brand New Season
10. Ball In Kick Off
11. Monkey
12. Star Fruits Surf Ride
13. Fly
14. E
15. Brazil

Warner WPBL-90106
Out 3/19, ¥3334 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (26% off *), HMV (21% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

A new mix CD from Akakage in collaboration with ladies' fashion brand Rosebullet will be released in March. Out on his own label Noboru.
Details to follow.

Various Artists "Akakage presents... rosebullet"

1. G-Swing feat. Diamond Legs / Goin' Nuts
2. Slater Hogan & Chuck Daniels / Stay Tuned (Boomty Beatdown Mix)
3. Colette / About Us (Chuck Love Remix)
4. Ruffneck feat. Yavahn / Everybody Be Somebody (Mischa Daniels Salsa Trip Mix)
5. Hardsoul feat. Amma / Love Weigh You Down (Shik Stylko Remix)
6. Stalker Studio / Keep Me Warm
7. Physics feat. Alexandra Hamnede / Let It Out (Vincent Keok Remix)
8. Angel Anx / Love Strings (Dub Mix)
9. Kinbara Chieko / For Your Love (Kupper's Klassic Pump Vocal Mix)
10. Takizawa Kentarō / Power Of Love feat. arvin homa aya
11. Nakatsuka Takeshi / Wish upon A Shooting Star (Akakage's Peaktime Piano Mix)
12. White Lotus Society / Got It (Chuck Love Remix)
13. Bitter:Sweet / Heaven (Nicola Conte's West Coast Vibes Version)

Noboru XQCB-1005
Out: 3/5, ¥2500
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower, YesAsia

Perfume, currently quite the big thing in techno-pop in Japan, have finally a brand new album coming in April, and this one is completely produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule)! Included are 7 brand new songs in addition of 5 previously heard ones (singles "Polyrhythm", "Baby Crusing Love / Macaroni", and the two songs from "Fan Service [sweet]").

There will be a limited edition with a bonus DVD containing "Polyrhythm" and B-side "Seventh Heaven" performed live at Tokyo's Liquid Room, plus the video for "Macaroni" and bonus versions with each of the three girls.

This is their 2nd album, following "Complete Best" released in 2006, which had quickly sold out and gained rare status, and was then re-issued last year.

Perfume "Game"

1. Polyrhythm
2. plastic smile
3. Game
4. Baby cruising Love
5. Chocolate Disco
6. Macaroni
7. Ceramic Girl
8. Take me Take me
9. Secret Secret
10. Butterfly
11. Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow
12. Puppy love

DVD
1. Polyrhythm (Live at Liquid Room Nov.8 '07)
2. Seventh Heaven (Live at Liquid Room Nov.8 '07)
3. Macaroni (Original Version)
4. Caramic Girl (Drama Another Version)
5. Macaroni (A-chan Version)
6. Macaroni (Kashiyuka Version)
7. Macaroni (Nocchi Version)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Tokuma TKCA-73320
Out 4/16, ¥3143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (20% off *), HMV (15% off *), YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
Tokuma TKCA-73325
Out 4/16, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Super-cute animation short film "kaede New Town", directed by Iwakiri Naoto (Codomo Inc.), which was shown in theaters starting in December, is getting a DVD release.

The opening and ending themes are by the Aprils and Tomovsky respectively, and can be found on the included CD which also contains the movie's BGM (by the Aprils' Imai Kentarō and solange et delphine's Hase Yasuhiro). The CD is mastered by Plus-Tech Squeeze Box' Hayashibe Tomonori, just like Aprils' latest release "Space Dream Bathroom".

Update (2/26): Aprils will perform a mini-live at KDDI Designing Studio in Harajuku on release day March 6, in promotion of the DVD. The free event starts at 18:30 and ends at 19:30. (Then run to Shibuya to see Nomiya Maki at Apple Store!)

"kaede New Town" (DVD+CD)
「楓ニュータウン」
(Region 2 NTSC, 28 minutes, 1.66:1)

DVD
Main feature (28 minutes)
Bonus features: interviews (director, musicians), trailer, music videos

CD
Aprils / kaede New Town
Tomovsky / gensō tokkyū
+ BGM
(Total 12 tracks expected)

CoMix Wave Films CWF-0103
Out 3/6, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (26% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Second Royal artist Collette has a 12" coming, containing the 2 new songs that first appeared on "Second Royal volume.3" last year, plus a remix of the title track by Sakerock's Hamano Kenta.

Audio samples at Second Royal (popup window)

Collette "Hot Banana" (12")

A1. Hot Banana
B1. Hot Banana (bo-n umauma kun no yume Mix) (Remixed by Hamano Kenta (Sakerock))
B2. Asatske (12" version)

Second Royal EMF-027
Out 2/27, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (once out)

Aira Mitsuki, who debuted as an audition-winning indies idol last August, has a first major single coming up! For those not in the know, she says that she loves Perfume and capsule, and that surely reflects very much in her sound.

The new single will contain 5 tracks, of which the title song, "China Discotica", is said to be a song giving respect to the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

Audio samples of first single "Colorful Tokyo No.9" at Tower

Aira Mitsuki "China Discotica"

1. China Discotica
2. Romantic Rope
3. China Discotica (Substance Remix)
4. China Discotica (Digital MP-3 Mastering Ver.)
5. China Discotica (Instrumental)

D-topia VUCD-35001
Out 3/5, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV,

This is a brand new collection of Oh! Mikey episodes, first shown in theaters in December. We're promised a moving, even dancing Mikey! I have yet to see this, except for about a 1-second bit in a TV commercial that sure looked a bit freaky. Not to be missed!
Also new characters: Elevator Girl of Terror and Baby Nicholas (unofficial translations).

"Oh! Mikey Fever" (DVD)
(Region 2 NTSC, 4:3, English subtitles)

Episodes list (unofficial approximate translations)
「マイキーよ責任をとれ!」 (Mikey, take your responsibilities!)
「川北覚のお見合い」 (Visiting the Kitagawas)
「ルーツ・オブ・フーコンファミリー」 (Roots of Fuccon Family)
「ママの知らない世界」 (The world mom doesn't know)
「マイキーのクリスマス」 (Mikey's Christmas)
「悪魔天使ニコラ」 (Devil angel Nicholas)
「マイキー・ザ・スターマン2 地球征服」 (Mikey The Starman 2 Earth Conquest)
「死刑台のエレベーターガール(仮)」 (Elevator girl to the gallows (title to be confirmed))
「サタデーナイト・マイキー」 (Saturday Night Mikey)

Media Factory FFBV-0011
Out 2/22, ¥2682 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (26% off *), HMV (21% off on pre-orders, YesAsia, free sticker), free PC wallpaper)
* Discount at time of writing

Named after the JeNnY doll by toy-maker Takara, this cover compilation of 80's girl pop hits supervised by Cubismo Grafico appears to be stock full of unexpected collaborations! I'm especially looking forward to Cubismo Grafico with Kiiiiiii!

Various Artists "JeNnY Special Collection - New Style of '80s Hits"

1. TGMX feat. Itsco / Material Girl (Madonna)
2. Cubismo Grafico feat. JeNnY / Freedom (Wham!)
3. Lowblows feat. Kushibiki Sayaka / Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)
4. Matias Tellez feat. Karin Park, Nathalie Nordnes / I'm In The Mood For Dancing (The Nolans)
5. Rub-A-Dub Market feat. Goodings Rina / Do You Really Want To Hurt Me (Culture Club)
6. Low IQ 01 feat. Toki Asako / Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper)
7. Katchin' feat. Trilets / Breakout (Swing Out Sister)
8. Miniflex feat. Yukari Fresh / Every Little Step (Bobby Brown)
9. Cubismo Grafico Five feat. Kiiiiiii / You Spin Me 'Round (Dead Or Alive)
10. ughhellabikini feat. Kana (Spangle Call Lilli Line) / The Neverending Story (Limahl)
11. Moosehill feat. Katō Noriko / Video Killed the Radio Star (Bungles)
12. Iwaki Kentarō feat. Mahina Apple / Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)

avex trax AVCD-23440
Out 3/19, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Trivia!
An early track list listed:
Miniflex feat. Yukari Fresh / Relax (Frankie Goes To Hollywood)

Second Royal's Handsomeboy Technique brings us a new EP containing the title track (previously released on label sampler "Second Royal volume.3"), a remix by Irish unit Skibunny, and a brand new song titled "A Flick Of A Trick".

This is his first own release since the "Quiet Place" 10" in October 2006.

Handsomeboy Technique "Magnificent Mass E.P." (12")

A1. Magnificent Mass
B1. Magnificent Mass (Skibunny Hai-Five Mix)
B2. A Flick Of A Trick

Second Royal
Out 1/30, ¥1470
Order: Jet Set (once out), Tower

This cover compilation aims at having J-pop hits re-done into light jazz. Included is Utada Hikaru's "Travelling" sung by dahlia!

Various Artists "Jazzy End"

1. 信清 Megumi / yasashisa ni dakamareta nara (Arai Yumi)
2. dahlia / traveling (Utada Hikaru)
3. 七琉 / Pieces Of A Dream (Chemistry)
4. nappomama / ougon no tsuki (Suga Shikao)
5. Chihiro (from Noanoa) / rirura riruha (Kimura Kaela)
6. Ohishi Yurika / Will (Nakashima Miki)
7. bombar / tsuyoku hakanai monotachi (Cocco)
8. Achi / konayuki (Remioromen)
9. marma h'. / sayonara COLOR (Super Butter Dog)
10. Okazaki Emi (from Harem) / Joy (Yuki)
11. S.T.King / hi no ataru basho (Misia)

CCR CCRM-2007
Out now (2007/12/26), ¥2286 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Shima & Shikou Duo, the jazz unit of Shima Yūsuke (trumpet) and Itō Shikō (piano), which has played at Fuji Rock last summer, finally has a proper album out. It includes a version of the title song produced by Sunaga Tatsuo, who had featured a song of theirs on No.6 of his popular "Jazz Allnighters" compilation series.

They duo has been acclaimed by members of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, orange pekoe, Soul & "Pimp" Sessions, and also Hatakeyama Miyuki (Port of Notes) and Italian trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso.

Official release page with sound samples

Shima & Shikou Duo "Road To The Deep North"

1. Road To The Deep North
2. otoko wa Black
3. Club R
4. Desafinado
5. umi o misaoroshite
6. ukigumo
7. enrai
8. Contact 1.0
9. A Night In Tunisia
11. Largo
10. Overheat
11. Interlude - Trumpet
12. Road To The Deep North - Produced by Tatsuo Sunaga

Nature Bliss XQDX-1001
Out now (1/9), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Amazon U.S.

Electro-pop idol Meg has a new single coming up, her first since album "Beam" released last December. Once again the producer is Nakata Yasutaka (capsule).

Meg "Magic"

1. Magic
2. Miracle
3. Magic (extended mix)

Universal UPCH-5529
Out 3/5, ¥1143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Out now on Grand Gallery is a 3rd installment of the compilation series "Tokyo Luxury Lounge". This one contains all new previously unreleased tracks by artists such as Ito Yoichirō (Akakage), Coldfeet, i-dep and more.

Official release page with sound samples

Various Artists "Tokyo Luxury Lounge 3"

1. If You Only (2008 Luxury Remastering Version)
2. Daishi Dance feat. Kat McDowell / I Believe (Secret Edit)
3. Cargo / Life Is Sweet (Altanative Piano Mix)
4. Yoko Ota feat. Heather Johnson, Terrance Downs / It Gets Me Down (Daishi Dance Album Remix)
5. Studio Apartment feat. Ron Carroll / I'm In Love -Alternate Mix-
6. Yoichiro Ito / Come Down To My Place
7. i-dep / believe (who you are edit)
8. Sound Around / Shooting Star (Floor Edit)
9. Note Native / Daisy Love (Twilight edit)
10. Makai / Move Your Feelings Ver 2.0 feat.Samantha Nelson
11. Soul Source Production / Feels Like Home
12. Coldfeet / I Don't Like Dancing (More Dancing Mix)

Grand Gallery GRGA-0043
Out now (1/16), ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Crazy Ken Band has done a cover of Wada Akiko's hit song "ano kane o narasu no wa anata"! However for the time being it's only released via download, and there's no planned CD release.

The song can also be heard in the movie "kanki no uta" premiering on February 2.

Crazy Ken Band "ano kane o narasu no wa anata" (Download)
クレイジーケンバンド 「あの鐘を鳴らすのはあなた」

Almond Eyes
Price: ¥200
Sample/Buy:

Nomiya Maki's 2nd recital is coming this spring, and it's titled "Eleganceholic"! The Japanese title is "Elegance chūdoku" which translates to "Elegance poisoning".

This time the musical director is Kikuchi Naruyoshi (Spank Happy, DCPRG), and like last year the stage is directed by Hayashi Makiko of Romantica!This year again should be in for a fantastic show!

Two songs from the show will be released in a special package at Tower Records only on February 6.

Nomiya Maki Recital vol.2 ~Elegance chūdoku~
野宮真貴リサイタル vol.2 ～エレガンス中毒～
Six performances from April 3 to 6
At Aoyama Spiral Hall (map)

Starring: Nomiya Maki
Directed by Hayashi Makiko (Romantica)
Music: Kikuchi Naruyoshi

Art direction (flyer, etc.): Shindo Mitsuo (C.T.P.P.)

4/3, 4/4, 4/5 soirée: starts at 19:00
4/5 matinée: starts at 14:00
4/6 matinée: starts at 13:00
4/6 soirée: starts at:17:30
(Doors open 30 minutes before start.)

Tickets: ¥7350 all seated, on sale January 26 at 10:00 (Pia 280-161, e+)

(From my experience last year, I can tell that the right thing was to hit Pia's site at 10:00 on ticket sale day, as I could get awesome 2nd row tickets!)

This event at new Koenji venue Koenji High will feature Shinohara Tomoe with Kaori Ono and Steve Etō, and also twin sisters unit Flip Flap, DJing by Dr. Usui of Motocompo and more.

High Flash Lovers 01
on 2/24
at Koenji High

Live:
Overrocket
Tomoe Shinohara with Kaori Ono & Steve Etō
Flip Flap
Bespa Kumamero

DJ: Dr. Usui (Motocompo)

Opens at 17:00, starts at 18:00
Price: adv. ¥3000 (reserve online), door ¥3500

For the 3rd year, Readymade collaborates with Mary and Takashimaya to offer a fine box of chocolates packaged together with an original compilation CD selected by Konishi Yasuharu. Konishi-san sub-titles the CD "What are you doing the rest of your life? ~ Pop/Brazilian collection".

The package is designed by Readymade boss Hasebe Chisai (aka Mrs. Konishi) together with illustrations by Kuwae Yūko (Okonikk) who has been collaborating with Readymade lately for T-shirt and other designs.

Again this is limited to 1000 only, so it's smart to pre-order online (Japan only) or go to the participating Takashimaya stores early once the Valentine's craze begins on January 31.

Readymade × Mary: 2008 Valentine's original CD set
"Chocolat Tokyo Mary's Rosy Square"

1. Luiz Henrique & Walter Wanderley / A Different Beat
2. Marcos Valle / The Answer
3. Bert Kaempfert / That Happy Feeling
4. Spanky & Our Gang / Makin' Every Minute Count
5. Stan Getz / Sleeping Bee
6. Linda Scott / Oh! Look At Me Now!
7. Bert Kaempfert / L.O.V.E.
8. Gary McFarland / I Want To Hold Your Hand
9. Nico / The Fairest Of The Seasons
10. Walter Wanderley / Take A Chance With Me
11. Luiz Bonfa & Maria Toledo / Whistle Samba
12. Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 / Night And Day
13. Spanky & Our Gang / Like To Get To Know You
14. Milton Nascimento / Catavento
15. Astrud Gilberto / You Didn't Have To Be So Nice
16. Burt Bacharach / Nikki
17. Livingston Taylor / Somewhere Over The Rainbow
18. Lalo Schifrin & Bob Brookmeyer / My Funny Valentine
19. Water Wanderley / Minha Sandade
20. Sylvia Telles / Gardez Moi Pour Toujours
21. Luiz Henrique / Vivo Sonhando

Delivers on February 11, 12, 13 or 14 at your choice
Price: ¥3990
Pre-order: Takashimaya (Japan only)

One of the leaders of Japan's club jazz scene, Kobayashi Kei (Routine Jazz) brings us for the first time an original jazz project, produced by himself and Komine Takehiko. The band features trumpet, saxophone, piano, bass and drums.

Routine Jazz Quintet "Routine Jazz Quintet"

1. Toots Sweet
2. Quota
3. Book's Bossa
4. Down In The Village
5. Mishima
6. Love
7. Richie's Dilemma
8. Stella By Stralight
9. Moanin'

Routine RCJP-001
Out 1/19, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Following-up on "We Were Escalator Records 2.1", as it was to be expected, here's another compilation from Escalator Records. This one is also selected by label boss Naka Masashi.

Various Artists "We Were Escalator Records 2.2 selected by Naka Masashi"

1. Cubismo Grafico / Upsetters!
2. Losfeld / Kiss
3. Harvard / Flakk
4. Yukari Fresh / Johan 2004
5. American Rock / Flesh & Blood
6. Neil & Iraiza / Garden Of Twin Eggs
7. Miniflex / Lob
8. Yukari Fresh / Say When
9. Harvard / Mad Gemma
10. Caede / Wanna Bee?
11. Bjorn Synneby / Boogie
12. The Space Songs / What Is The Milky Way
13. Lee Buddah / Elternhaus (Erobique Remix)
14. Losfeld / New Balance
15. Cubismo Grafico / Chestnut
16. Phiiliip / Another Book
17. Clear / Turn X
18. Neil & Iraiza / No Existence Call
19. Harvard / Learning

Escalator ESCD-077 / XQAV-1077
Out 2/20, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Not even a year after her album "Connetta" with a similar collaboration concept, Suzuki Ami is back with another album featuring Shinohara Tomoe, Nakata Yasutaka (capsule), Rocketman, Captain Funk, sugiurumn, Hoff Dylan, Studio Apartment, and more. Rocketman's track is produced by Readymade's Yoshida Tetsuto.

Suzuki Ami "Dolce"
鈴木亜美 「Dolce」

1. Free Free / Ami Suzuki joins Nakata Yasutaka
2. feel the beat (album edit) / Ami Suzuki joins Sugiurumn
3. Potential Breakup Song / Ami Suzuki joins Aly & AJ
4. Bitter... / Ami Suzuki joins S.A.
5. Sweet Dance / Ami Suzuki joins Ram Rider
6. The WeekeND / Ami Suzuki joins Captain Funk
7. Super Music Maker (radio edit) / Ami Suzuki joins Nakata Yasutaka
8. Music / Ami Suzuki joins Ram Rider
9. Stereo Love / Ami Suzuki joins Shinohara Tomoe
10. ai no uta / Ami Suzuki joins Rocketman feat. You The Rock
11. futari de Pop / Ami Suzuki joins Hoff Dylan
12. atarashii hibi / Ami Suzuki joins Yo-King

Limited edition (CD only, special booklet + 2 bonus tracks)
Avex Trax AVCD-23431
Out 2008/2/6, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

CD+DVD edition
Avex Trax AVCD-23432
Out 2008/2/6, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Regular edition (CD only)
Avex Trax AVCD-23433
Out 2008/2/6, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Columbia, Konishi Yasuharu offers us some rare 70's Japanese jazz-rock (as the genre is called) albums from Columbia Japan re-issued on CD (actually 9 out of 10 8 out of 9 are for the first time ever on CD) with mini-LP sleeves.

Despite some foreign-sounding names, all of the artists are Japanese, except for Sandra Alexandra who is an American singer. You may in fact be familiar with the first three artists, as they were included on the 2000-released Readymade compilation "Midnight Tokyo", selected by Comoesta Yaegashi and supervised by Konishi-san.

The re-issue series seems set to continue later, so stay tuned for more!

Audio samples of all tracks at columbia*readymade

Count Buffalo & The Jazz Rock Band "Soul & Rock"
カウント・バッファローズとジャズロックバンド 「ソウル・アンド・ロック」
(Artist also known as Ishikawa & Count Buffalos / 石川晶とカウント バッファローズ)
Original release: 1969/7/25 / CD-5010

1. The Cougar
2. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
3. Michelle
4. Green Sleaves
5. The Sandpiper
6. No More Than A Drop
7. Hey Jude
8. Deep River
9. Mago-Uta

("No More Than a Drop" can be heard on "Midnight Tokyo".)

columbia*readymade COCP-34681
Out 3/5 4/16, ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Maeda Norio / Inagaki Jirō All Stars "This Is Jazz-Rock"
前田憲男/稲垣次郎オールスターズ 「決定版！これぞジャズ・ロック」
(Japanese title reads "ketteiban! kore zo Jazz Rock".)
Original release: 1968/9/10 / YS-10036

1. Pata Pata
2. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
3. Day Tripper
4. Snap-Shot
5. My Girl
6. Boom Boom
7. Watermelon Man
8. Barock
9. House Of The Rising Sun
10. Go Go A Go Go
11. Soul Finger
12. Here, There And Everywhere

("Snap-Shot" and "Go Go A Go Go" can be heard on "Midnight Tokyo".)

columbia*readymade COCP-34682
Out 3/5 4/16, ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

The WIP "Soul Tripper"
飯吉馨とザ・ウィップ 「ソウル・トリッパー」
(Japanese artist name: Iiyoshi Kaoru & the Wip)
Original release: 1968/9/10 / CD-5028

1. Soul Tripper
2. Eleanor Rigby
3. Where Have All The Flowers Gone
4. A Treasure Island
5. Secret Love
6. I Love Jobim
7. By The Time I Get To Phoenix
8. We've Only Just Begun
9. Ticket To Ride
10. Who Can I Turn To
11. Love Story
12. Catolea

("Soul Tripper" can be heard on "Midnight Tokyo".)

columbia*readymade COCP-34683
Out 3/5 4/16, ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Sawada Shungo / Muraoka Takeru All Stars "Hit & Hit In Bossanova"
沢田駿吾・村岡健オールスターズ 「ヒット・アンド・ヒット・イン・ボサノバ」
Original release: 1968/9/10 / YS-10041-J

1. The Legend Of Emerald
2. Angel Love
3. hoshi o minaide
4. Summer Grass
5. omoide no yubiwa
6. yume de iikara
7. koi no tokimeki
8. C, C, C
9. Flower Necklace
10. kanashikutte tarikirenai
11. ai no sono
12. hana no Madonna

columbia*readymade COCP-34684
Out 3/5 4/16, ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Miho Keitarō & His Group "Sound Poesy 'Sachio'"
三俣敬太郎と彼のグループ 「サウンドポエジー・サチオ」
Original release: 1969/11/10 / YS-10071-J

1. Start Your Engine
2. Never My Love
3. Listen People
4. Time After Time
5. Slip Stream
6. Race Is Over
7. One Note Samba
8. Meditation
9. Remember Of Paris
10. Mas Que Nada
11. Goin Out Of My Head
12. I Wanna Be Around

columbia*readymade COCP-34685
Out 3/5 4/16, ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Sandra Alexandra "Sandra & Her 12 Samurai"
サンドラ・アレキサンドラ 「サンドラと１２人の侍たち」
(Japanese title reads "Sandra to 12nin no samurai tachi")
Original release: 1970/11/25 / JDX-45

1. Ballade Of Doll's House
2. Yogiri Yo Konya Mo Arigato
3. hana to chō
4. L'amore E Un Miracolo
5. Una Sera Di Tokio
6. Blue Light Yokohama
7. ai no kaseki
8. namida no minato
9. tōku e ikitai
10. otokogari no Blues
11. koi
12. iijanaino shiawase naraba

columbia*readymade COCP-34687
Out 3/5 4/16, ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Milt Rogers "nanairo no shiawase"
ミルト・ロジャース 「七色のしあわせ」
Original release: 1969/8/10 / CD-5011

1. nanairo no shiawase
2. Scat In The Dark
3. hatsukoi no hito
4. kimi wa kokoro no tsuma dakara
5. L'amour E Un Miracolo
6. shiranakatta no
7. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
8. Bluelight Yokohama
9. namida-machi minato-machi wakare-machi
10. Good Night Baby
11. kaerimichi wa tōkata
12. koi no kisetsu

columbia*readymade COCP-34688
Out 3/5 4/16, ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Fontaine Singers "New Sound '70"
フォンテーヌ・シンガーズ 「70のニューサウンド～いずみたく作品集～」
(Japanese title "70 no New Sound ~Izumi Taku sakuhinshū~")
Original release: 1970/3/25 / YS-10079-J

1. iijanaino shiawase naraba
2. miagete goran yoru no hoshi o
3. onna hitori
4. kimi no kuni o
5. Scat In The Dark
6. Ii Yu Dana
7. Hoshizora No Romance
8. sekai wa futari no tame ni
9. tomodachi
10. wakareta hito to
11. koi no kisetsu
12. yoake no uta

columbia*readymade COCP-34689
Out 3/5 4/16, ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Les Jeunes Étoiles "New Young Chorus"
ジュヌ・エトワール 「ニューヤング・コーラス」
Original release: 1968/12/10 / CD-5002

1. Music To Watch Girls By
2. I Really Don't Want To Know
3. Et pourtant
4. Live For Life - A Man And A Woman
5. La Mer
6. En blue jeans et blouson de cuir
7. L'amour est Blue
8. Masachusetts
9. Georgy Girl
10. Somewhere, My Love
11. Beyer No. 91
12. Sakura Sakura

columbia*readymade COCP-34690
Out 3/5 4/16, ¥2100
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

Trivia!
Canceled (/postponed?) title:
Full Throttle Jazz Rock Band "zenkai de tobase ~ Ōyabu Haruhiko Sound Action"
フルスロットル・ジャズ・ロックバンド 「全開で飛ばせ　大藪春彦サウンドアクション」
COCP-34686

Please excuse this off-topic one, but I am due to re-listen to "Thriller" (my very first owned LP when I was a kid), and it seems that this 25th anniversary edition will be just the right time. In addition to the original album are included new versions in collaboration with Kanye West, Fargie and others, and previously unreleased tracks from the Thriller sessions.

That's right, the Japanese edition contains one extra Japan-only bonus track, making for a total of two previously unreleased songs from the Thriller sessions!

The two initial limited Japanese editions both contain a DVD with 3 video clips and a live TV performance of "Billie Jean". The "Deluxe" edition contains a (well...) deluxe booklet of 48 pages (versus the 20-page booklet that comes with the cheaper edition). Of course, the whole is all remastered to this day's standards.

Michael Jackson "Thriller 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition" (Japan edition)
(DVD probably region 2 (Japan/Europe) NTSC (Japan/North America))

1. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
2. Baby Be Mine
3. The Girl Is Mine (with Paul McCartney)
4. Thriller
5. Beat It
6. Billie Jean
7. Human Nature
8. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
9. The Lady In My Life
10. Vincent Price (Bonus track)
11. The Girl Is Mine 2008 with will.i.am
12. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 with Michael Jackson and will.i.am
13. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 with Michael Jackson, Akon and will.i.am
14. Beat It 2008 with Fergie
15. Billie Jean 2008 with Kanye West
16. For All Time (unreleased track from original Thriller sessions)
17. Got the Hot (unreleased track from original Thriller sessions) (Japan-only bonus track)

Deluxe expanded edition (w/ deluxe 48-page booklet)
Epic/Sony EICP-961/2
Out 2/20, ¥4410 (tax incl.)
Order: Amazon (15% off on pre-orders), HMV (10% off on pre-orders), Tower, Amazon U.S.

Expanded edition (w/ 20-page booklet)
Epic/Sony EICP-963/4
Out 2/20, ¥3570 (tax incl.)
Order: Amazon (15% off on pre-orders), HMV (10% off on pre-orders), Tower, Amazon U.S.

Singer Sudō Kaoru's album "Tender Love" (1989) was produced by Konishi Yasuharu under the theme "what would the Spector Sound be like in the late 80's?" (referring to producer Phil Spector's technique also known as the "wall of sound", popularized in the 60's with artists such as the Crystals and the Ronettes). 19 years later comes this digitally remastered mini-LP edition that includes as a bonus track a B-side also produced by Konishi-san.

Released at the same time are 9 of her other albums (unrelated with Konishi-san).

Original releases in the Konishi discography

Sudō Kaoru "Tender Love"
須藤薫 「テンダー・ラブ」

1. tsunoru omoi
2. Sugar Romance
3. haru no hizashi
4. Torch Song
5. futari no silouette
6. saigo no d.p.e.
7. onegai Loverman
8. koi no Manual Book
9. kyonen no natsu
10. fuyu no gospel
11. sayonara Yesterday (Bonus track)

Warner WPCL-10457
Out 2/20, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Crue-L band Port of Notes, the unit of singer Hatakeyama Miyuki and guitarist DSK, offers us a greatest hits selection for the occasion of their 10th anniversary. Selected by themselves, the all-remastered tracks include non-album tracks and also one brand new song.

There will be a special release live in March.

Port of Notes "Blue Arpeggio ~Own Best Selection~"
ポート・オブ・ノーツ 「青いアルペジオの歌　ブルー・アルペジオ ～オウン・ベスト・セレクション～」

1. Hope and Falsity
2. Patient Parents
3. Those My Old Days
4. hon no sukoshi
5. One More Bourbon
6. boku no mita kinō
7. It's Gonna Never Change
8. (You are) More Than Paradise
9. It's a Long Way
10. nani o omoun darō
11. Walk Through Happiness
12. saraba
13. anata ni tsuite
14. Sailing to Your Love
15. You Gave Me A Love

Crue-L KYTHMAK125DA
Out 2/2, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

arcorhyme (MySpace), the new unit of Takanami K-tarō and Nishimura Ikuyo, will play an in-store live at HMV Shibuya to promote their two new albums out January 23.

Those who plan to attend should buy the CDs at HMV Shibuya to be sure to get a ticket.

arcorhyme in-store live
at HMV Shibuya 3F
on 2/10 (Sunday)

Starts at 18:00
Price: Free!

One of the most fun anime theme songs ever, "Cutey Honey" (also spelled "Cutie Honey"), is being re-sung by the original singer, Maekawa Yōko. Offered are "21st century" versions of the opening and ending themes, plus also the theme song of "majokko Megu-chan", and two club-oriented remixes.
The sound producers are Nishiwaki Tatsuya and Tzboguchi Masayasu (Date Course Pentagon Royal Garden).

Official release page

Maekawa Yōko "Cutey Honey (21st century ver.)"
前川陽子 「キューティーハニー（21st century ver.）」

1. Cutey Honey (21st century ver.)
2. yogiri no Honey (21st century ver.)
3. majokko Megu-chan (21st century ver.)
4. Cutey Honey (Remix)
5. majokko Megu-chan (Remix)
6. Cutey Honey (21st century ver. Instrumental)
7. yogiri no Honey (21st century ver. Instrumental)
8. majokko Megu-chan (21st century ver. Instrumental)

Team Entertainment KDSD-00188
Out 2008/2/27, ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.