Tokyo's Coolest Sound

DJ Miura Makoto (aka Monsieur Mieurax) is back with a new mix CD, this time offering us an all-genre upbeat mix of jazz, soundtrack music, with touches of breakbeats and hip-hop. Included are also short cut-up interludes that give us a taste of Miura's upcoming works.

Miura Makoto "the permanent bohemians"

1. overture (the permanent bohemians)
2. jazzhole / free the robots
3. dj grievous / gleopatora's dream
4. little kids / let the rhythm hit 'em
5. quincy jones / chega de saudade
6. steve lawrence / rio de janeiro
7. augusto algueró / será el amor
8. interlude (psychedelic nolly)
9. michel legrand / nous voyageons de ville en ville
10. cy coleman / i'm gonna laugh you out of my life
11. the billy van singers / you've got the world by the tail
12. unknown / festival
13. lorraine bowen / i love london
14. interlude (black poem brass band)
15. sandboy / viver
16. unknown / calle ocho
17. pressure drop / unify
18. mojo project / free
19. negrocan / aquela esquina
20. sonia santos / crioula
21. interlude (blue fire)
22. the new direction / feeling good
23. the carnival / hope
24. nancy wilson / call me
25. jackie trent / on the other side of the track
26. the morgan-james duo / you don't know what love is

Comedy Tonight CTMC-004
Out now (4/27), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

arcorhyme (MySpace), the unit of Takanami K-tarō and Nishimura Ikuyo, will do a 2nd and last (of the series) workshop event at café Go Slow located inside the Ikejiri Institute of Design.

The event of course includes a live show, but also K-taro will speak of his songwriting process, and tell some secrets about his songs. Performed will also be K-taro solo work(s) and early song(s) he wrote for Pizzicato Five. He said that this event might be the last time he plays Pizzicato Five..! Not to be missed!

There are only 40 seats so it's smart to reserve early.

Takanami K-tarō teki sakkyoku kōza vol.2
高浪敬太郎的作曲講座Vol.２
arcorhyme live and workshop
on 6/7
at Go Slow
Ikejiri Institute of Design (Setagaya monozukuri gakkō) room #107
2-4-5 Ikejiri Setagaya-ku

Starts at 19:00
Price: ¥2000 (+ 1 drink), reserve by email

Zonies (ゾニーズ) is a new band led by Maezono Naoki, singer-songwriter who runs the Love Shop Record shop and also appeared on the latest columbia*readymade sampler compilation "uta to Guitar. Piano. kotoba."

The other band members are Konishi Yasuharu on piano (!!!!!), Arai Toshiya (Missing Linc, Mr.comicstore), and Matsuno Hajime.

Zonies live
on 6/8 (Sunday)
at Ikenoue Bobtail

Live:
ari
Zonies (Maezono Naoki, Konishi Yasuharu, Matsuno Hajime, Arai Toshiya)

Opens at 19:00, starts at 19:45
Price: ¥2000 + order (no tickets / door only)

DJ Hiroki is a considered like an emerging scene hero of Shibuya's (Tokyo, Japan) vinyl record shop area Udagawa-chō. Here he mixes nothing but covers of super hit songs everyone has heard before. All of these covers have been up in the charts at Udagawa-chō shops. The whole comes in a R&B taste just nice for summer.

Included are covers of Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Oasis, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, Bob Marley, Elton John, Toto, Aerosmith and more.

DJ Hiroki "ViVidness! -Lovely Cover's R&B-"

(Title / Artist)
1. Say It Once (Extended Mix) / S.l.Line
2. True colors (Club Vibe) / Blackvogue Soundsystem
3. Another Day In Paradise (The Only Version) / S.l.Line
4. Fast car (Extended Mix) / Blackvogue Soundsystem
5. In All The Right Places (Ambient Mix) / Majority
6. Close To You (Original Mix) / The Real Note feat. Scott Foster
7. Still Reminds Me / Sheldon
8. Georgy Porgy (Club Mix) / 3D
9. Power Of Human Nature / Double Jam
10. The Power Of Good-Bye (Instinctive Mix) / In-Deep
11. No Woman No Cry (Single Edit) / Babyroots
12. Wonderwall (Down Mix) / Plug Ins
13. I Love To Love (Club Mix) / Randy Bush
14. Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Down Mix) / Thomas
15. Don't Look Back In Anger (Down Beat Mix) / Plug Ins
16. La Isla Bonita (Club Mix) / Terry J
17. Genie In A Bottle (Original Down Extended Mix) / Kyria
18. Shape Of My Heart (Down) / Circle 99
19. You Drive Me Crazy / Helen
20. I Found Lovin' (Album Version) / Noyze Gang Feat. K.T.N.
21. Quit Playing Game (Factory Team Remix) / Mar.ko
22. Life (Expentancy Mix) / Helena
23. I Don't Want Miss A Thing / Airbag

Chateaudisc ALMCD-001
Out now (5/29), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Especially with Perfume taking over the charts lately, Japan is really in techno-pop mode right now! This compilation is a great opportunity to catch up, and will feature artists like Meg, Aira Mitsuki, immi, Q;indivi, and more. It will total 16 songs, 4 of which are previously unreleased.

This is a 2nd installment of the "Beautiful ..." compilation series. The first was "Beautiful House" released last November and featuring Fantastic Plastic Machine, Akakage, Jazztronik, sugiurumn and more Japanese club/house artists.

Audio samples at Tower Records

Various Artists "Beautiful Techno"

1. Meg / amai zeitaku
2. Aira Mitsuki / China Discotica (Substance remix)
3. immi / Local Train
4. Sound Around / Stay Fine
5. m-flo loves Alex (Clazziquai Project) / Love Me After 12AM -Ram Rider Remix-
6. Saori@destiny / sayonara Revival
7. Sweet Vacation / The Gooies 'r' Good Enough
8. www.lollipoptears.com / My Treasure
9. Kaleido / Meu Sonho (yasutaka nakata capsule mix)
10. Shigeru Iwaya / you'll be all right (re:construct)
11. Nakatsuka Takeshi / Magic Colors
12. Ram Rider / Sun Lights Stars (yasutaka nakata 8FM mix)
13. Q;indivi / Just
14. Spangle call Lilli line / R.G.B.
15. The Sakura Telephone / Dreaming rabbit

For Life FLCF-04245
Out 7/16, ¥2191 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

See also:
Meg "Step" (new album out 6/18)
Aira Mitsuki "Darling Wondering Staring / Star Fruits Surf Rider" (latest single with Cornelius cover)
Perfume "Game"

It has been 6 years since singer-songwriter bice's previous album, "let love be your destiny" (2002). Now she's back with a new album to be release on Konishi Yasuharu's columbia*readymade label. Make no mistake though, all songs were written (music/lyrics) and arranged by herself. The song "lily on the hill" was included on the recent label compilation "uta to Guitar. Piano. kotoba."

bice official site
Label artist page at Columbia

bice "kanaerarenai koi no tame ni"
ビーチェ 「かなえられない恋のために」

1. Red Balloon
2. lily on the hill
3. 100nengo ni wa futari wa inai
4. in lovers time
5. teisen shimashō
6. Splash
7. ordinary days
8. taiyō ga umarekawaru koro
9. heaven
10. tada koishikute aitai nante ne
11. cine love

columbia*readymade COCP-35070
Out 7/23, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

Trivia!
An early track list included these song titles, which were probably retitled to something else.
akippoi Do Re Mi
Icetina
Peppermint
Smokin Rabbit

Plastic Sex, the unit of Nakanishi Toshio (ex-Plastics) and Nomiya Maki, will perform a live show at Shibuya Soft this Thursday!

There will also be shows next month in Kobe (6/12 at Beber) and Osaka (6/13 at Noon).

Plastic Sex Night
on 5/22 (Thursday)
at Shibuya Soft

Live:
Plastic Sex
Nakanishi Toshio (ex-Plastics)
Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five)
Momo
Sally
etc.

Opens at 20:00, show starts at 22:00
Price: ¥1000

See also:
Plastic Sex "Here comes SEX education" (2005)
Plastic Folk / Plastic Knife "Billion Knives & Folks and Disk One" (2006)

Her previous album "Beam" was released only 6 months earlier, but Meg has already a new album called "Step" coming up! Of course it's again entirely produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule). It totals to 8 songs, 2 of which are the recent singles "Magic" and "Heart".

Completist fans will have to buy both the limited edition (which contains a DVD) and the regular edition, as the latter contains 2 bonus remixes.

Meg "Step"

CD
1. Magic
2. Kittenish
3. Make Love
4. Prism Boy
5. Heart
6. Supersonic
7. Searchlight
8. Natalie
9. Kittenish (ynnk mix) (Regular edition only)
10. Prism Boy (extended mix) (Regular edition only)

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. Magic (Music Clip)
2. Heart (Music Clip)
3. Magic (Dance Clip)
4. Heart (Dance Clip VJ Mix)

Limited edition (CD+DVD, digipak, no bonus remixes)
Universal UPCH-9426
Out 6/18, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (18% off *), HMV (15% off on pre-orders, YesAsia, free sticker*), free sticker*), Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD + 2 bonus remixes)
Universal UPCH-1608
Out 6/18, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV (free sticker*), YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

* While supplies last

Japanese electronic artist Hosaka Akane, who makes wonderful melodies using her Moog, Casios and an endless toy box, has a first album being released on French label Sonore.

"Niko Niko Denki Muzic" is actually her 3rd album, and was originally released on homemade CD-R in 2007. Here it is offered in a powered-up edition, completely remastered by Nagata Kazunao (Fantastic Explosion) and with 2 bonus tracks.

Stock full of brilliant original melodies, this is a must for those who love "Popcorn" and "Baroque Hoedown" (Disney's Electrical Parade).

Official MySpace with sound samples
Official Facebook

Hosaka Akane "Niko Niko Denki Muzic"
ホサカアカネ 「Niko Niko Denki Muzic」

1. Brown Game
2. Pocket of Music
3. ashita wa umi e iku
4. asa / hiru / yuu
5. Ponkotsu Eisei 23gō
6. banshū
7. Crazy Crazy Pop'nn Speakers
8. aru hi no Drive
9. kaze no tsuyoi hi
10. Super Stylus
11. Hello! Peckpee
12. ohana ageru

Sonore SON-27
Out 6/10
Order (world): Amazon U.S., Beatport,
Order (Japan): Amazon, HMV

See also:
"pikkonoko" (2012)

DJ Boot Beat (aka Kamiya Naoaki) has a 3rd mix CD of his popular "Manifesto!" series, mixing pop, jazz, easy listening, latin, Brazilian, breakbeats, etc. A few Japanese artists are also included: Arai Toshiya (Missing Linc, Mr.comicstore), DJ Sora-Mimi and Cubismo Grafico. Out now!

Boot Beat "Manifesto! 3"

1. Kokee Band / Love For Sale
2. Don Ralke Orchestra / Voodoo Priestess
3. Charly Antolini / Charly's Drum
4. Dickie Harrell / Goon Bat
5. Bob Shad / Cherokee
6. Double Dee & Steinski / A Liittle Lesson
7. Ricky Amigos / Tequila
8. Unknown / Fry Me To The Moon
9. Xavier Cugat / Moon River
10. Indi Groove / Artichaut
11. Bohemian / Espagnole Samba
12. Primat Boogaloo / Quantic Mix (Accapela)
13. Los Manolos / All My Loving
14. Bob & Phil And The Orchestra / Blowin' The Wind
15. International 'pop' Allstars / I Got Rhythm
16. Rick Nelson / Fools Rush In
17. Arai Toshiya / Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
18. DJ Sora Mimi / Mambo La Sora
19. Clark Terry / Somewhere Over The Rainbow
20. Random Heroes / Roll Call
21. Horror / Jonathan Krisp
22. Edward Harding / Don't You Go Too Far
23. Will Holland / Brand New Watusi
24. Dj Disse / Break On Through
25. Neil Wolfe / Theme From 'the Magnificent Seven'
26. Sakkarin / Sugar, Sugar
27. Speech Defect / The Breaks Seminer Pt.3
28. Unknown / Mass Media
29. Rockafeler Skank / Alwas Read The Label
30. Cubismo Grafico / What A Wonderful World
31. Tony Evans / The Way You Look Tonight
32. Richard Maltby / Frenesi
33. Sandy Nelson / Let The Four Winds Blow
34. Hearts Of Soul / Don't Go Home
35. DJ Suwa / Sugar Kut(z) Frat. Dj Shark
36. Koop / Come To Me

Beat Records BR-0001 / CM-0021686
Out now (5/16), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

See also:
Boot Beat "Manifesto! 2"
Boot Beat "Switch"
Various Artists "Readymade Digs Classics"
Cubismo Grafico Caribbean Ensemble "Cubismo Grafico Caribbean Ensemble"

For the 3rd month, arcorhyme will play at Après-midi Grand Cru, the pasta and wine restaurant located below Café Après-midi. There will be two free sets with different songs. Charge is free, so come early and have a pleasant lunch while enjoying Takanami K-tarō and Nishimura Ikuyo's great music. This time they will be accompanied by pianist Hase Yasuhiro of solange et delphine.

arcorhyme afternoon live at Grand Cru (vol.3)
on 5/18 (Sunday)
at Après-midi Grand Cru, Shibuya
(1-15-7 Jinnan 4F, on Kōen-dōri)

Set 1 starts at 13:00 (30 minutes)
Set 2 starts at 14:00 (30 minutes)

Price: Free! (+food/drinks)

Two compilations related to cafe&diner Studio, a Shibuya café where are held DJ and live events, will feature a bunch of great artists from the club scene, grouped under "house" and "jazz" themes. Featured are akakage, Fujisawa Shiho, Sunaga t Experience, akiko, Yoshida Tetsuto, the fascinations and many more. Tracks by Yoshida Tetsuto, tone and Nock (these last two are brand new artists) are previously unreleased.

Various Artists "House Connection ~around the shibuya corner~ presented by cafe&diner Studio"

1. Akakage / Brasilian Colors feat. Toyono (album version)
2. Makai / Take Me Into Your Heart
3. Takizawa Kentarō / Make It Right feat. Lisa Shaw (album version)
4. Fujisawa Shiho / Sunny Days feat. Okada Kyōko
5. Bougain Ville-A / A Sandy Beach ~sunahama~
6. Small Circle of Friends / Dance
7. Slowly / Find Illusion
8. tone / tell me why
9. Studio Apartment feat. Deborah Bond / Something Between Us
10. DJ Kawasaki / Believe feat. Gordon Chambers
11. Little Big Bee / Solitude (Too Rooms Remix)
12. Nock / Vega

King KICP-5049
Out 7/9, ¥2286 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Various Artists "Jazz Connection ~around the shibuya corner~ presented by cafe&diner Studio"

1. Yoshida Tetsuto / Beautiful Dreamer
2. playa / Through The Fire (April Set Bistro Jazz Remix)
3. Routine Jazz Quintet / Mishima
4. akiko / Breathing Life
5. Immigrant's Bossa Band / Sustaind Affection
6. Shima&Shikou Duo / Overheat
7. Jabberloop / Look To The Sky
8. the fascinations / Rock with You
9. Aoki Karen / Smooth Operator feat. native
10. Sunaga t experience / Nostalgic Eyes
11. native / Spiral Insight
12. Bebeteck / Butterfly Butterfly

King KICP-5050
Out 7/9, ¥2286 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Suzuki Ami's next single will be produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) with who she had previously collaborated on single "Free Free / Supermusic Maker" last year, tracks which also appeared on album "Dolce". That's not all, as a full album entirely produced by Nakata is being planned for release this fall!

Suzuki Ami is celebrating this year the 10th anniversary of her debut.

Audio samples on discography page

Suzuki Ami "One"
鈴木亜美 「One」

1. One
2. A token of love
3. One (instrumental)
4. A token of love (FM88 mix) / remix Nakata Yasutaka (capsule)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
avex trax AVCD-31435
Out 7/2, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Regular edition (CD only)
avex trax AVCD-31436
Out 7/2, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

Part of an Eco-Beauty Style exhibition, Nomiya Maki will give a talk about her ways to be "eco" all while wearing high-heels. It's a good opportunity to get a close look and learn a few eco-friendly tips.

Entrance is free, but a numbered ticket is required. Tickets will be distributed at the entrance from 10:00.

Eco-Beauty Style official site
Eco-Beauty Style special talks page

Eco-Beauty Style: Nomiya Maki special talk
エコビューティー・スタイル展 野宮真貴スペシャル・トーク

On 5/21 (Wednesday) at Seibu Ikebukuro (Illums 2F), from 18:30 to 19:15
On 5/28 (Wednesday) at Sogō Yokohama, from 18:30 to 19:15

From 18:30 to 19:15
Price: Free!
Numbered tickets to be distributed at the exhibition entrance from 10:00
Limited to 50 people only (1 ticket per person)

His column book is just out, and here's another book from Konishi Yasuharu! This time it's not words, but 1500 record jackets selected by himself and designer Tokiwa Hibiki (TMVG), also an avid record collector. From rare records to ones that no one would have cared about until now, we're promised that this full-color 160-page A4 book will stand out amongst all the record jacket books that already existed.

Included are also some discussions between the two about this topic. The title translates to "For those always thinking about records."

There will be a talk show and autograph session at Standard Books in Osaka on May 25 from 13:30 to 15:00.

Konishi Yasuharu × Tokiwa Hibiki "itsumo Record no koto bakari kangaeteiru hito no tame ni." (Book)
小西康陽×常盤響 「いつもレコードのことばかり考えている人のために。」

Ascii Media Works
ISBN: 978-4-04-870030-6
Out 5/22, ¥3200 (excl. 10% tax) (¥3200+tx)
Order: Amazon

Out recently is a first release by the latest band from Crue-L Records, named Stoned Green Apples (MySpace). The band is formed of two girls, Aya (guitar) and Cass (drums), who both sing. It's said that Cass used to be the cover girl for Yann Tomita's Doopees. Their sound is described as cute avantgarde pop that might appeal to those who like Citrus, Buffalo Daughter,... and Doopees. Watch out for that long title.

Stoned Green Apples "A red strange fruit was crushed with a little plosive sound, then it left me a green one. I bite it once in a while, when it rains."

1. Sugar-K
2. Peter Pan
3. Do Ya?
4. Oh So Blue!
5. Broccoli Salad
6. tsuyudoki no hanashi

Crue-L KYTHMAK-126DA
Out now (4/25), ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

2 songs from the recent April 22 show that Harry Hosono & The World Shyness gave at Billboard Live Tokyo have been made available on iTunes Music Store Japan. Both songs are self-covers of Hosono works.

The band features Hosono Haruomi (guitar), Tokutake Hirofumi (guitar), Takada Ren (pedal steel), Koshi Miharu (accordion), Iga Wataru (bass) and Hamaguchi Motoya (drums).

The recording was done directly from the console.

Hosono Haruomi & The World Shyness "08.04.22 @ Billboard Live TYO"
細野晴臣&ワールド・シャイネス 「08.04.22@Billboard Live TYO」

1. haraiso (08.04.22@Billboard Live TYO）
2. Pom Pom jōki （08.04.22@Billboard Live TYO）

Out now
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Takahashi Yukihiro (Yellow Magic Orchestra, Sketch Show) and art director Shindō Mitsuo (Contemporary Production) present this summer festival where can be caught pupa (Takahashi's new all-star unit), HASYMO, Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders), Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Bonnie Pink, NRT320 (Shindō Mitsuo's new project with Narita Maki) feat. Nomiya Maki, and more.

Unlike most summer festivals, this one will be enjoyed seated (on provided "leisure sheets"), and even young children are welcome, making it a great family outing.

Event official site

World Happiness
Love & Mammy and Sometime Daddy

on 8/10 (Sunday)
at Yumenoshima Park, Shinkiba (Odaiba)

Curators:
Takahashi Yukihiro (YMO)
Shindō Mitsuo (CTPP)

Live:
pupa (Takahashi Yukihiro, Harada Tomoyo, Takano Hiroshi, Takada Ren, Horie Hirohisa, Gondō Tomohiko)
HASYMO (Takahashi Yukihiro, Sakamoto Ryūichi, Hosono Haruomi)
Suzuki Keiichi / Captain HATE and The Seasick Sailors feat. Sokabe Keiichi
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Bonnie Pink
NRT320 (Shindō Mitsuo, Narita Maki) feat. Nomiya Maki
... and more

Opens at 13:00, starts at 14:00 (ends at 20:00)

Price: ¥8500, elementary school students ¥1050, parent & child ¥9000
Regular sale: Pia 290-762 from 6/8
Special pre-sale: e+ from 5/8 12:00 until 5/14 18:00
Normal pre-sale: e+ from 5/15 12:00 until 5/21 18:00, Pia 290-762 from 5/15 11:00 until 5/21 11:00

Fender Rhodes player Ino Hidefumi, also the owner of café Tenement in Ebisu, has a 2nd album on the way. While first album "Satisfaction" consisted only of covers, this one is 2/3's original songs! Having previously released some brilliant compositions such as the title track of recent 7" "Serenpidity" (included on this album) and also those found on last year's EP "The Force of Exotic", this promises a lot of great music!

Like "Satisfaction", this will be a digipak.

Ino Hidefumi "Living Message"

1. Suicide is Painless (J. Mandel)
2. The Way is The Way is The Way
3. Loving Message
4. Living Message
5. Blood is thicker than Water (R. Faith)
6. Manai
7. Theme of 2 White Deers
8. Sentimental Walk (V. Cosma)
9. Escape into hope
10. Serendipity
11. In a Perfect World
12. "Ainosanka" -Bonus Track- (M. Monnot)

Innocent IRCD-0002
Out: 6/27, ¥2625
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower

See also:
"Serendipity" (7") (2008)
"Ino Hidefumi Live Set DVD" (DVD) (2008)
"The Force of Exotic" (2007)
"Satisfaction" (2006)

Marxy, an American artist based in Tokyo, has a 2nd album out now! One track features singer U.T from Kiiiiiii. Having loved his previous album "Kyoshu Nostalgia", which sounded to me like Cornelius meets the Beatles, I can't wait to check out this one.

Official release page at music related

Marxy "Forty Years From Now"

1. The Lincoln Brigades
2. See Saw
3. Slouching Towards Bethlehem
4. Cat vs. Mouse
5. Intro to Piano
6. To Save Ourselves
7. Broke Into Our Hearts
8. Tachikogi
9. (An Epistle to) Dippy Dave
10. Cotillion
11. The Ballad Of Poum (Traditional)
12. The Lincoln Battalions (Reprise)

music related ML20
Out now
Order (U.S.): Special limited deal at music related, Other Music, Darla
Order (Japan): HMV, Warszawa
Order (download): Amazon U.S. (U.S. only),

Electro-pop idol Meg has a new single, the 2nd since album "Beam". This is again produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) who's lately most famous for the new best selling album "Game" he produced for Perfume.

Meg "Heart"

1. Heart
2. Natalie (single mix)
3. Heart (remix)

Universal UPCH-5536
Out 5/7, ¥1143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Here's yet another installment of Escalator's "We Were Escalator Records" series, again selected by label boss Naka Masashi (Losfeld). It's said to be the last one... time will tell!

Various Artists "We Were Escalator Records 2.3 selected by Naka Masashi"

1. Neil and Iraiza / Meddle
2. Harvard / We
3. Yukari Fresh / Agnus Dei
4. Miniflex / Doo Wap
5. Yukari Fresh / 3.5.2
6. Yukari Fresh / Cook Some Dishes
7. Bjorn Synneby / To The Stars
8. State of Samuel / Send The Pope To Santa Barbara
9. Harvard / Far East Man
10. Swingset / Half Asleep (Losfeld Remix)
11. Yukari Fresh / Break (Vs Headman)
12. Pop Tarts / Baby You Can Drive Your Car
13. Cubismo Grafico / Honey Dipped
14. Horie Hirohisa / The End Of My World
15. Yukari Fresh / David's Back (Vs Vicki Speech System)
16. Clear / Duel
17. Losfeld / Start!
18. Neil and Iraiza Middle Man

Escalator ESCD-078 / XQAV-1078
Out 5/28, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

See also:
"We Were Escalator Records 2.1 selected by Naka Masashi"
"We Were Escalator Records 2.2 selected by Naka Masashi"

This compilation focusing on the "picopico" indies scene will include songs by Aprils ("Cosmo '80s" previously released on "Space Dream Bathroom"), Sweet Vacation, Sexy-Synthesizer, Tongari Kids, tofubeats and more.

It will be sold only at Tower Records.

Various Artists "P-K-P-K"
オムニバス 「P・K・P・K」

1. tofubeats / intro
2. Tongarikids / B-Dash ~yakenohara Remix~
3. Sweet Vacation / The Goonies "r" Good Enough ~Sexy-Synthesizer Remix~
4. Sweet Vacation / I Feel So good ~toy piano mix~
5. tofubeats / skit
6. Shimuyake feat. Tanaka Akira / 4jōhan kara no Galaxy
7. The Secret Handshake / Everyone Knows Everyone
8. Irurime / Irurime No.5 ~yakenohara Remix~
9. Aprils / Cosmo '80s
10. Nacchan Peak / That's right!
11. Nacchan Peak / Honey's Date
12. Sexy-Synthesizer / Let Me Be With you
13. Bremen / One Day
14. Lucy in the sky / Lovin you ~cherryboy function Remix~
15. tofubeats / outro
16. Super Bell"z / Moter Man 80's Powered by Sexy Synthesizer

Tokuma TJJC-19002
Out 5/15, ¥2096 (excl. 10% tax)
Order:

You could say this is Sunaga Tatsuo's first real "World Standard" mix in 2½ years (not counting "06" that only consisted of his own works, and the recent "Wada Akiko").

Various Artists "World Standard.07 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-"

(Title/Artist)
1. World Standard (Live)
2. Funeral March / Flanger
3. Navigator / The Mungolian Jet Set
4. Gravity (Simbad Remix) / SUMO feat. Ayesha
5. Sketches of NYC (Underground Resistance I-80 Remix) / Nublu Orchestra
6. Junior Is Back (Sunaga t Experience Remix) / Idea 6
7. What Is Cool / Kevin Yost
8. This Is How I Feel About Jazz
9. Nuovo Cinema Paradiso / Fabrizio Bosso
10. Nebulosa / Andrea Pozza Trio
11. Wildflower / Nostalgia 77
12. Love Song (Afro Re-work, Remixed by Native) / Milford Sound
13. dig the new flower-r / (S.T.E. X DJ JURI X RDR)
14. Find Illusion (ATJAZZ Remix) / Slowly
15. Strings Of Life / Christian Prommer's Drumlesson
16. Sesso Brillante / Flat Three
17. Farewell Again (Another Dawn) / Kevin Ayers

Flower Records FLRC-062
Out 6/18, ¥2580 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

See also:
Wada Akiko "World Standard Wada Akiko -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-"
"World Standard.06 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix- Sunaga t̀ Experience works -pièces pour les femmes-"
"World Standard Schema"
"World Standard.05 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-"
"World Standard.04 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-" (CCCD)

Trivia!
A different early track list of only 12-tracks also included:
Bell's (Gerald Frisina Remix) / idea 6
Road to The Deep North / Shima&ShikouDUO

Italian jazz drummer and composer Fabio Nobile (MySpace) is not unknown of the Japanese club-jazz scene. He's previously been remixed by Fukutomi Yukihiro (see "The Transformer") and Sunaga t Experience (see "Jazz Allnighters No.8").

This Japan release of his first album contains 2 bonus remixes, one by Sunaga Tatsuo.

Fabio Nobile "Always Love"
(Early title: "Back With You")

1. San Diego
2. Always Love
3. Back With You
4. Didn't You Know
5. D'improvviso
6. O Samba
7. To Do Mi Amor
8. Zozoi
9. Day What A Day
10. Fly To The Moon
11. Love Is Gone
12. Always Love (Sunaga t Experience remix) (Bonus Track)
13. Didn't You Know (Gerardo Frisina remix) (Bonus Track)

Commodo CMD-33104
Out 5/29, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

YMCK, who of late are rarely caught live in their home land, will perform at De De Mouse's release party for his album "sunset girls". And it doesn't stop there, Buffalo Daughter will also be performing, as well as DJs Halfby and Handsomeboy Technique!
Oh, and the venue is that immense club in Shibuya!!

De De Mouse "sunset girls" release party
on 7/3 (Thursday)
at Shibuya Womb

Live:
De De Mouse
Buffalo Daughter
YMCK

DJ:
Halfby
Handsomeboy Technique

Opens at 18:00, starts at 19:00
Price: ¥3500 (on sale 5/10, Pia 291-721, e+)

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of NYLON100%, a café/bar that was located in Shibuya from the late 70's throughout the 80's (now defunct) and had an important place in Japan's punk and new wave scene, a bunch of artists from the day will play special shows over two days. It's a rare opportunity to catch currently inactive artists such as Portable Rock (feat. Nomiya Maki) and many others.

Event official page
Event official artist profile page

The 30th Anniversary of NYLON100%
at Daikanyama Unit

July 9 (Wednesday)

Kera
Nakanishi Toshio (ex-Plastics)
Portable Rock (feat. Nomiya Maki)
Ueno Kōji & His Orchestra
8 1/2

July 10 (Thursday)

Hikashu
Saeki Kenzō & Boogie the Mach Motors
Space Ponch
Togawa Jun
Tokyo Bravo (w/ guest Chikada Haruo (Vibrastone))

Opens at 17:30, starts at 18:30
Price: ¥4500 each day (tickets on sale 5/17 via Pia 291-329, Lawson 76079, e+) + drink

Paradise Yamamoto (Tokyo Panorama Mambo Boys) is currently exhibiting over 50 Manbonsai works, on display for free at Takashimaya in Nihonbashi. Also held at the same place are other exhibitions of all sorts of things under themes of "art", "craft" and "collection".

There will also be 3 workshops, to each of which 6 people can participate for free! First come first served.

necchū seikatsu Festa ~ otona no dōraku ten
熱中生活フェスタ～オトナの道楽展
(Paradise Yamamoto Manbonsai exhibition)

From 5/1 (Thursday) until 5/6 (Tuesday, holiday)
Time: 10:00 to 20:00 (last day 5/6 until 18:00)

At Nihonbashi Takashimaya 8F Hall
Free!

me Manbonsai Workshop
芽マン盆栽ワークショップ開催

5/4 with Fujita Shigeo (Ebisu Bonsaiya)
5/5 with Fujita Shigeo (Ebisu Bonsaiya)
5/6 with Paradise Yamamoto
Each day 3 sessions: from 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00
Each session: 45 minutes, 6 people (first come), free!

IDF, the session unit of Fender Rhodes playre Ino Hidefumi, Kojima Daisuke (DSK, Port of Notes) and Fujiwara Hiroshi, will perform a free show at Apple Store Shibuya! You can expect this to be crowded.

IDF has a CD being released on May 2, "Live @ FIL". It's already available at iTunes Music Store (Japan).

IDF free live at Apple Store Shibuya
on 5/9 (Friday)
at Apple Store Shibuya (map)

Starts at 20:00
Price: Free!