Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Girl DJ/trackmaker Fujisawa Shiho is already back with a 2nd album! Features vocalists Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Cubismo Grafico), hiro:n, Shōno Juri, Okada Kyōko, and more. Mixed and mastered by Yoshida Tetsuto.

Jet Set offers a bonus promo only 7" while supplies last, containing the Cubismo Grafico track and "Magical Smile", plus a promo CD with one self-remix of the title track! Go order now!

Audio samples at Jet Set, and also see the cute digest music video below!

Review: It hasn't been a year since "Happy Hour", and Shiho-chan is back again with another fun album full of happy club-pop tracks! Included are upbeat pop songs such as title track "Funky Girl" and "You Are My Sunshine", vocoder tracks "Magical Smile" and "You & Me" sung by herself, "boku de aru tame ni" featuring Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji, and the great "Never Forget Me" which reminded me of Chiwaki Mayumi's "Erotic & Pain" album. While mostly vocal, the album also includes a few instrumentals, this time blending with the rest of the songs more homogeneously than the jazzy ones on her previous album. Super cute jacket too!

Fujisawa Shiho "Funky Girl"
藤澤志保 「FUNKY☆GIRL」

1. Sweet Rain Drops
2. FUNKY GIRL
3. C'mon BOY
4. You Are My Sunshine
5. CONTONE
6. MAGICAL SMILE
7. LUV & MSC
8. Sentimentalizm
9. boku de aru tame ni
10. YOU & ME
11. Freesia
12. Never Forget Me
13. sekai ni tatta hitotsu no koi ga owatta

eat records XQEN-1003
Out 1/28, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set (bonus 7" while supplies last!), Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, (Japan, US, etc.)

Fantastic Plastic Machine has contributed a track to this house cover compilation of Disney tunes! Also featured are Meg, Q;indivi, Ayuse Kozue, Osawa Shinichi and more.

The FPM track only has been specially released in advance on iTunes Japan. That's my deal!

Audio samples at release official page, Tower Records and HMV.

Various Artists "House Disney"
オムニバス 「ハウス★ディズニー」

1. Meg x Q;indivi / When You Wish Upon a Star [Pinocchio]
2. World Sketch / Beauty and the Beast [Beauty and the Beast]
3. Q;indivi / Part of Your World (House Nation Remix Edit) [The Little Mermaid]
4. Fantastic Plastic Machine / The Enchanted Fairy Garden [Tokyo Disneyland Disney's Fantillution!]
5. Ayuse Kozue / Mickey Mouse March [The Mickey Mouse Club]
6. Late Night Alumni / A Whole New World [Aladdin]
7. 80kidz / He's A Pirate [Pirates of the Caribbean]
8. The Lowbrows / Under the Sea [The Little Mermaid]
9. Kaskade / Baby Mine [Dumbo]
10. Eric Kupper / Reflection [Mulan]
11. A Hundred Birds feat. TeN / When She Loved Me [Disney Pixar's Toy Story 2]
12. Shinichi Osawa / Main Street Electrical Parade [Disneyland]

Disney AVCW-12693
Out 1/28, ¥2427 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

2nd release from Escalator-related label (sub-label?) Big Love, here's a brand new EP by Avalon!

Avalon "Lost Minstrelsy"

1. Mate of the Dark Passage
2. Antimask Pageant
3. The Improvisatore
4. Verses

Big Love XQAV-1578
Out 1/28, ¥2100 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Digiki's remix album "Dense Music" (out last year) finally gets a vinyl release! Included are remixes by Toshiyuki Yasuda (ex-Fantastic Plastic Machine), Dexpistols, O.Lamm, Jean Nipon, plus even some non-album remixes. Out on Tokyo Fun Party!

Audio samples at Jet Set
Digiki's MySpace

Digiki "Dense Music EP" (12")

A1. Pancaked Again (Overcooked By Jean Nipon)
A2. Kraftpunk (Donovan Remix)
A3. Cease & Desist (O.Lamm Remix)
A4. Mange Mouche (Digiki Remixed By Hypo & Edh)
A5. Beat Vacation (Mondkopf Remix)
B1. Kraftpunk (Dexpistols "Too Late" Remix)
B2. Non Plus (Soccerboy Otagiremix)
B3. Desktop Music (Duck Rock Remix)
B4. Cease & Desist (The Lowbrows Don't Stop Remix)
B5. Pancaked Again (Toshiyuki Yasuda Remix)

Tokyo Fun Party FUN-3621
Out now (1/21), ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Legendary band Citrus has a first and last "album" out just now! This is actually a collection of all of their 4 released EPs plus a bunch of rarities, such as rare tracks "Hivernate under the ground" (from magazine Barf-Out!, limited to 200 copies), a Christmas song released on 7" only, a cover of Roches' "Another World", side-unit Crane's "Crystal Thunder in the Wonder Safari", and then some.

Citrus "Pits Are The Pits (25 GOLD=RARE=DEBRIS 1992-2000)"
シトラス 「ピッツ・アー・ザ・ピッツ (25 ゴールド=レア=デブリス 1992-2000)」

1. Live In Tapes #1
2. Rhythm Waves
3. House Coach
4. Young Fidelity
5. Another World
6. Blue Mercedes (Simply Eternal Reality)
7. Rockin' Cruise
8. "A Speeding Wheel, Speedway Wheels"
9. Another World
10. M.W.M.U.Early
11. Snog 6 / Misery
12. The Cannanes / Frightening Thing
13. Every Song Landed Near By His Fire Place
14. Freestate Watch Closely
15. Crane / Crystal Thunder In The Wonder Safari
16. Live In Tapes #2
17. "Wispy, No Mercy"
18. Colo Colo Meets The Stripes
19. Hivernate Under The Ground
20. Live In Tapes #3 / Cymbal Hit! (Like My Feelin')
21. Cymbal Hit! (Like My Feelin')
22. "Puff Away, Something Grow In The White"
23. Ripple In Still Water
24. "Tuesday Sunday, Lazy Jazz"
25. Your Building

felicity PECF-1008
Out 1/21, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

More from Denki Groove, who seem to not be going anywhere soon! This is their first single since latest album "Yellow", and contains a full-length version of the song "Mojo" as well as a new version of "kanpeki ni nakushite" (from album "J-POP").

This comes with a DVD containing videos for "Fake It!" and "Shōnen Young".

Denki Groove "The Words"
電気グルーヴ 「The Words」

1. The Words (Japanese)
2. The Words (CM Mix 15sec)
3. Mojo (Full Length)
4. kanpeki ni nakushite (Alternate Version)

DVD
1. Fake It!
2. Shōnen Young (Album Mix / SSTV VIP Version PV)

Ki/oon KSCL-1348
Out 2/4, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (13% off *), HMV (10% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

See also:
Denki Groove "Leonardo Inuprio" (DVD)

Denki Groove brings us this 2-DVD set of the last Tokyo show from their 2008 tour, their first in 8 years! This contains not only the entire 2h30 show, but also bonus content such as a documentary covering the tour. The show also has a commentary audio track by Ishino Takkyu and Pierre Taki themselves.

A limited edition comes with 2 CDs containing the same live show. The equivalent of the regular edition (video only) is also set to be released on Blu-Ray on March 25.

Denki Groove "Leonardo Inuprio" (DVD)
電気グルーヴ 「レオナルド犬プリオ」

DVD 1
1. Zoo Desire
2. Mononoke Dance
3. a.ki.me.fu.ra.i.
4. hanbun ningen damono
5. dondake The Giant
6. sanpunmaru no uta
7. Shōnen Young
8. Shangri-La
9. MUD EBIS
10. Bingo!
11. Acid House All Night Long
12. The Words
13. Fake It!
14. Garigari-kun
15. Miami tengoku
16. nisemono Hooligan
17. Area Arena
18. Shōnan Acid
19. FLASHBACK DISCO
20. Nothing's Gonna Change

DVD 2
1. Killer Pomato
2. Scorpion
3. B.B.E
4. VOLCANIC DRUMBEATS
5. kakkoii Jumper
6. Reactio-n
7. Snake Finger
8. N.O.
9. motetakute...
10. CATV
11. dare da!
12. jizō
13. Beach dayo! Denkii Groove
14. cafe de oni (kao to kagaku)

Limited edition (2 DVDs + 2 CDs)
Ki/oon KSBL-5890
Out 2/25, ¥6000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (24% off *), HMV (21% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (2 DVDs only)
Ki/oon KSBL-5894
Out 2/25, ¥5300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (24% off *), HMV
* Discount at time of writing

Star Dish is the new unit of Organ Bar DJ Sano Atsushi (behind the brilliant unit Sherlock Notes) together with Katokunnlee (aka Playa). This first single contains a future latin jazz cover of "Balkan Blue" featuring members of Jabberloop, and the B-side is an original jazzy bossa track.

Go listen at MySpace or Jet Set.

Star Dish "Jazz Conversation E.P." (12")

A1. Balkan Blue
B1. Melody Rising
B2. Melody Rising (Inst.)

Hush Brown HBLP-001
Out now (1/16), ¥1391 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Juno (UK)

See also:
Atsushi Sano "Music Menu 004"

New Japanese house label Japan Recordings brings for a first release this new-comer DJ unit called RAJ. This is a pure house track with a catchy piano riff and female vocals by session vocalist Harunasuzu. Including a remix by Iwaya Shigeru, the whole is mastered by Yoshida Tetsuto.

Audio samples at MySpace and Jet Set

RAJ feat. Harunasuzu "Song For Love" (12")
RAJ feat. 春奈鈴 「Song For Love」

A1. Song For Love (Original Mix)
A2. Song For Love (Words Acapella)
B1. Song For Love (Remix by Shigeru Iwaya)
B2. Song For Love (Dub)

Japan Recordings JPR-001
Out now (1/16), ¥1280 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

This compilation brings out some relatively new faces in Japan's female electro-pop scene. Featured are Fujisawa Shiho (with a track from her upcoming album "Funky Girl"), immi, CHIX CHICKS, Ikio Ayaka, SAWA, British-Japanese MiChi, and more.

Audio samples at HMV

Various Artists "Electro Girl Lovers"

1. Be My Baby / Karin Maria Andersson
2. We Will Rock You / MiChi
3. Ups & Downs / immi
4. Spiral Storage / Ayaka Ikio
5. Discovery / SAWA
6. Tokyo Hustle / MASIA ONE ft. DJ SARASA a.k.a. Silverboombox
7. LUV&MSC / Shiho Fujisawa
8. Lovefool (ELMIO's twisted love) / Lumiere meets Karin Maria Andersson
9. Madonna (medley) / CHIX CHICKS
10. Tomorrow / Karin Maria Andersson

King KICP-5053
Out now (1/7), ¥2286 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon

4 years have passed since "Flash", here comes Towa Tei's 5th album! The list of guests can only help us trust a title like "Big Fun", with Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Hatori Miho (Cibo Matto), Hosono Haruomi (YMO), Meg, Verbal (m-flo), Mademoiselle Yulia and many more.

A limited edition will contain a bonus DVD with 3 video clips.

The first single is "Mind Wall" feat. Hatori Miho and is already available on iTunes and Beatport.

Audio sample of "Mind Wall" at Towa Tei's MySpace

Towa Tei "Big Fun"

Expected tracks:
1. Y.O.R. (Young Oriented Rock) feat. Mademoiselle Yulia & Verbal
2. Taste Of You feat. Taprikk Sweezee
3. Out Of My Addiction Of Love feat. Miho Hatori & Peggy Honeywell
4. Lyricist feat. Meg
5. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star feat. Mitsuko Koike
6. A.O.R. (Adult Oriented Rock) feat. Lina Ohta
7. Ch. Galaxy
8. Mind Wall feat. Miho Hatori
9. Siesta
10. All

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
hug Columbia COZP-350
Out 2/3, ¥3143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon (18% off *), HMV (15% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
hug Columbia COCP-35351
Out 2/3, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

Ahead of the release of her upcoming 2nd album "Funky Girl", Fujisawa Shiho offers us this cheap-priced CD single with song "You Are My Sunshine" including a non-album remix, available at HMV only. This seems set to also be released on 12" towards the end of the month.

Audio sample at MySpace

Fujisawa Shiho "You Are My Sunshine"

1. You Are My Sunshine
2. You Are My Sunshine (A-bee remix)

Eat Records ER-0017
Out now (1/7), ¥477 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV

Electro-pop idol Aira Mitsuki (MySpace) offers us this bargain single available at HMV only. It contains 2 new songs plus a 20-minute mash-up mix by DJ tofubeats.

This follows the same formula as the "Darling Wondering Staring / Star Fruits Surf Rider" single released last year at Tower Records, which sold out very quickly. Grab it while you can!

Also don't miss new single "sayonara TECHNOPOLiS" out on the same day.

Aira Mitsuki "Valentine STEP"

1. Valentine STEP
2. Tofubeats Mash UP includes 11 Aira Songs
3. L0ne1yBoy L0ne1yGirl

D-topia DTJR-09011
Out 1/21, ¥477 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV

After 15 years, les 5-4-3-2-1 will be back this year for the time of one special show! The show will feature first vocalist Hitomi, bassist and leader Sally Kubota, and long-time collaborator Nakayama Tsutomu.

In case you missed it, a revival cover album under the name Sally Soul Stew was also released in 2007.

les 5-4-3-2-1's Three Star Show!!
les 5-4-3-2-1のスリースターショー!!」
at Koganechō Bazaar, Kogane Studio 2nd room
2-165-203 Hinode-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama (Map)

les 5-4-3-2-1: Hitomi (vocals), Sally Kubota (bass), guest musician Nakayama Tsutomu (electric piano and organ)

Opens at 18:30, starts at 19:00
Price: adv. 2500yen, door 2800yen + 1 drink (500yen)
Reserve

(And while on the topic...) After over a year since their 1st single, it's finally time for a debut album from post-Shibuya-kei pop duo Vanilla Beans!

WIth 3 maxi-singles and several download releases until now, fans will already know most of the songs, although it seems we have 4 brand new ones and also 3 album versions. Either way, this is a greatly expected album that should make Shibuya-kei and girl pop fans very happy. Includes songs with music written by bice and Dr.USUI (Motocompo) (one track each).

Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans"
バニラビーンズ 「バニラビーンズ」

1. Opening ~Instrumental~
2. sakasaka Circus
3. U ♥ Me
4. happy merry-go-round
5. kimagure na Palette Type
6. Winter Has Gone
7. ashita wa ashita no natsu ga kuru (Album Ver.)
8. Afternoon a Go-Go (Album Ver.)
9. Shopping☆Kirari (Album Ver.)
10. Nicola
11. Vanillad
12. Ending ~Instrumental~
13. Afternoon a Go-Go ~We Love You MIX~ (Remastering Ver.)
14. Shopping☆Kirari ~Okite Porsche + Dr.USUI Waterfront Mix~ (Remastering Ver.)
15. ashita wa ashita no natsu ga kuru ~Okite Porsche + Dr.USUI Death Techno Mix~ (Remastering Ver.)

Tokuma TKCA-73412
Out 2009/2/25, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV,

Vanilla Beans "sakasaka Circus" video

Vanilla Beans "Nicola" video

Here are two more recent Vanilla Beans downloads that I had nearly missed. Both of these are to be included on the upcoming self-titled first album, although they will be offered respectively in "album version" and "remastered version". So, just in case you can't wait...!

Vanilla Beans "ashita wa ashita no natsu ga kuru" (Download)

Tokuma TWEB-154
Out now (12/24), ¥191 (excl. 10% tax)
Sample/buy:

Vanilla Beans "Shopping Kirari ~Okite Porsche + Dr. USUI Waterfront Mix~" (Download)

Tokuma TWEB-152
Out now (11/26), ¥191 (excl. 10% tax)
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

After several download-only song releases, Vanilla Beans offer us this 3rd CD single. The jacket photo shows the two with 16-year-old elephant Meisa of Kinoshita Circus.

They also have a first full-length album coming in February, so stay tuned!

Vanilla Beans "sakasaka Circus"
バニラビーンズ 「サカサカサーカス」

1. sakasaka Circus
2. Tic Tac
3. sakasaka Circus (Instrumental)
4. Tic Tac (Instrumental)

Tokuma TKCA-73388
Out 2009/1/28, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

See also:
"Afternoon a Go-Go" (Download)
"Afternoon a Go-Go -We Love You Mix-" (Download)
"Shopping Kirari" (Download)

Happy New Year!

After her great "Robot Honey" single, techno-pop idol Aira Mitsuki (MySpace) is back this year with another maxi single. With a catch line saying "Electro meets big beat!", this tracklist full of catchy keywords promises more of what she does best.

Tower Records offers a bonus DVD-R containing the title track's video clip.

Aira Mitsuki "sayonara TECHNOPOLiS"
Aira Mitsuki 「サヨナラ TECHNOPOLiS」

1. sayonara TECHNOPOLiS
2. HiGH SD Sneaker
3. COSMiC CHOPPER
4. distant STARS
5. sayonara TECHNOPOLiS (Traks Boys rmx)
6. HiGH SD Sneaker (BIG BEAT CRUSH rmx)
7. sayonara TECHNOPOLiS (digital mp-3 mastering ver.)
8. HiGH SD Sneaker (digital mp-3 mastering ver.)
9. COSMiC CHOPPER (digital mp-3 mastering ver.)
10. distant STARS (digital mp-3 mastering ver.)

D-topia VUCD-35004
Out 1/21, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia