Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Anime voice actress Horie Yui's latest single will certainly appeal to Perfume and Aira Mitsuki fans, and it's arranged/produced by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone)!

A limited edition contains a video clip of the title track, which can also be seen on YouTube.

Horie Yui "Vanilla Salt ~Toradora Ending Theme"
堀江由衣 「バニラソルト ～『とらドラ!』エンディングテーマ」

1. Vanilla Salt
2. I my me
3. Vanilla Salt (off vocal ver.)
4. I my me (off vocal ver.)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Starchild KICM-91255
Out now (10/22), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Regular edition (CD only)
Starchild KICM-1255
Out now (10/22), ¥1143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

Moonriders have a live DVD coming up next month, of their 30th anniversary show where they shared the stage with Portable Rock! If it includes encores, as it seems to do, that would mean that you can catch Nomiya Maki singing chorus along with all of the other bands' members.

Read my report of this event

Moonriders "Moonriders Live at Shinjuku Loft 2006.4.15" (DVD)
ムーンライダーズ 「Moonriders Live at Shinjuku Loft 2006.4.15」

1. kanojo ni tsuite shitteiru 2, 3 no kotogara
2. Video Boy
3. muboubi toshi
4. itoko dōshi
5. Backseat
6. mizu no naka no Knife
7. meiken London monogatari
8. Dog Song
9. Swimmer
10. Elephant
11. taiyō no shita no 18sai
12. Interior
13. Hindenburg

Moon Riders XPBA-1003
Out 12/17, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (26% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Kyoto label Second Royal brings us a 4th compilation, this time with a winter theme. This contains new tracks by residents Handsomeboy Technique, Rufus and Halfby (actually, Halfby's is a recycled iTunes-only release from 2 years ago). There's also a Christmas cover by Kaji Hideki, a debut track by newcomer Tiny Bit Associates, a few overseas contributors Princeton, BMX, and more!

Audio samples at Jet Set

Various Artists "Second Royal vol.4 ~Winter Issue~"

1. Kaji Hideki / Hot Club Of Christ
2. Halfby / Halfbeat (Stroll of Rudolph Edit)
3. Rufus / Flying
4. Princeton / Eminent Victorians
5. BMX / Refero Beach
6. The Bridal Shop / Ideal State
7. Handsomeboy Technique / Reach For Tomorrow (Whistle Mix)
8. Broadcast 2000 / Get Up And Go
9. Kate / Madras
10. Tiny Bit Associates / Heel Song
11. Ultracity / Klee
12. Sainas / New Beads
13. Skibunny / It's A Wonderful Life

Second Royal SRCD-018
Out 12/13, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV

See also:
Rufus "Pocket Full of Nothing"
Various Artists "Second Royal volume.3"
Halfby "Side Farmers"
Various Artists "Second Royal - Limited Edition for Nagisa Festival 2007"
Halfby "Halfbeat (Stroll of Rudolph Edit)" (Download)
Kaji Hideki "Lollipop"

We've waited and waited, finally here are some brand new tracks by Comoesta Yaegashi aka comoestas!! Side A is a mambo-ish club cover of the famous Kraftwerk song "Dentaku", while B-side "Soroban" is an original by Comoesta. Can't go wrong here! Out now on Groove Unchant's label.

"Dentaku" means electronic calculator, while "Soroban" is the name of its traditional Japanese ancestor you've probably seen before.

Audio samples at Juno

comoestas "Dentaku / Soroban" (7")

A. Dentaku feat. baroccorins
B. Soroban

Unchantable Records UCT-005
Out now (11/12), ¥1300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV, Juno (UK)

Kahimi Karie has produced a short compilation aimed at dogs and their owners, hoping to make it ambient music able to soothe both. The music is written by Kanda Tomoki, with one track co-written by Kojima Daisuke of Port of Notes.

Nipper is the name of the famous Victor dog, who recognized "his master's voice" (the origin of HMV's name) through an early record player. Out on Victor, this compilation is sold only at HMV at this time, but will be available at other shops from February 25.

Kahimi Karie "Music For Nipper"

1. Tree Huggers (Music: Kanda Tomoki, Kojima Daisuke)
2. Ark and Sundogs (Music: Kanda Tomoki)
3. Special One (Music: Kanda Tomoki)

HMV-only pre-sale
Victor NCS-646
Out 11/5, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV

Regular release
Victor VICL-63254
Out 2009/2/25, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Perfume is back again with a new single, 2nd since their hit album "Game". As usual this is produced by capsule's Nakata Yasutaka, who has also been busy with new albums for his own band (out on the same day) and also Suzuki Ami.

The limited edition comes with a DVD containing the title track's music video, and different artwork.

Perfume "Dream Fighter"

1. Dream Fighter
2. negai
3. Dream Fighter (Original Instrumental)
4. negai (Original Instrumental)

Tokuma TKCA-73390
Out 11/19, ¥1239 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Amazon U.S.

Tokuma TKCA-73395
Out 11/19, ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, HMV, Amazon U.S., Amazon U.S.

See also:
Perfume "First Tour 'GAME'" (DVD)
Perfume "love the world"
Perfume "Game"
capsule "MORE! MORE! MORE!"
Suzuki Ami "Supreme Show"

Yes! capsule is back with a new album!! It's been almost a year since "Flash Back". That's more than the usual 8 month rule, but you have to consider that Nakata Yasutaka has been very busy producing other artists such as Perfume, Meg, and Suzuki Ami.

A limited edition contains a bonus DVD with the video for single "JUMPER".

capsule "MORE! MORE! MORE!"

1. runway
2. more more more
3. the Time is Now
4. JUMPER
5. Phantom
6. gateway
7. Pleasure ground
8. the mutations of life
9. e.d.i.t.
10. Adventure

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
contemode YCCC-10012
Out 11/19, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (19% off *), HMV (15% off *), YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
contemode YCCC-10013
Out 11/19, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, , Amazon U.S.

See also:
Suzuki Ami "Supreme Show"
Meg "Step"
Perfume "Game"

Suzuki Ami's new full-length album is entirely produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule)! This contains the two recent singles "can't stop the DISCO" and "One".

The limited edition contains a DVD with 3 video clips.

Suzuki Ami "Supreme Show"
鈴木亜美 「Supreme Show」

1. TEN
2. can't stop the DISCO
3. climb up to the top
4. SUPER MUSIC MAKER （2008 ver.）
5. Mysterious
6. change my life
7. LOVE MAIL
8. A token of love
9. TRUE
10. flower
11. ONE

DVD
1. ONE (music clip)
2. can't stop the DISCO (music clip)
3. The first DJ @ club asia (music clip)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
avex trax AVCD-23708
Out 11/12, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (19% off *), HMV (15% off *), YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
avex trax AVCD-23709
Out 11/12, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.

See also:
Suzuki Ami "can't stop the DISCO" (single)
Suzuki Ami "One" (single)
Suzuki Ami "Dolce" (album)
Suzuki Ami joins Nakata Yasutaka "Free Free / Supermusic Maker" (single)