Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Out now on Eat Records, the label of Fujisawa Shiho and Boot Beat, is a first EP by newcomer female singer-songwriter Fujiko More. On this first release she brings us three happy club-pop tracks with cute vocoder vocals. This is produced by Fujisawa Shiho.

Audio samples at MySpace and Jet Set, or in the preview YouTube clip below.

Fujiko More "Always EP" (12")

A1. itsumo
B1. Go
B2. Everybody Needs Love

Eat Records ER-0019
Out now (3/19), ¥1296 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Already a 2nd EP and appetizing plate from Star Dish, club-jazz unit of Sano Atsushi (Sherlock Notes) and Playa. This time we get groovy latin beats, some French vocals by Raphael Sebbag (United Future Organization), and a remix by Gerardo Frisina. Again this features Jabberloop like on the previous single.

Full tracks can be heard at MySpace.

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

A1. Mambo Souce
A2. Dance des casserole (feat. Raphael Sebbag)
B1. Mambo Souce (Gerardo Frisina Latin House Remix)

Hush Brown HBLP-002
Out now (3/26), ¥1391 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

See also:
Star Dish "Jazz Conversation E.P." (12")
Atsushi Sano "Music Menu 004" (mix CD)

Out just now is a benefit compilation for Tibetan freedom, featuring Japanese artists such as Cornelius, Cubismo Grafico, Hosono Haruomi, Ōsawa Shinichi, Boredoms, Afrirampo, dj Kentaro, etc.

Release official page

Various Artists "Songs For Tibet From Japan"
オムニバス 「ソングス フォー チベット フロム ジャパン」

1. Himalaya wa naiteiru / ULTRA BRAiN
2. Harvest Dance feat. Hifana / dj Kentaro
3. A HOpe / Turtle Island
4. heiwa / Rize
5. dcdc -feat. Hifana- / Wrench
6. 3 / Boredoms
7. The End / Discharming Man
8. Our Song / Ōsawa Shinichi
9. Such A Good Feeling / Tha Blue Herb
10. Arrival Time / Brahman
11. ryūkyū aika / Mongol800
12. Like A Rolling Stone / Cornelius
13. koi wa momoiro / Hosono Haruomi
14. afuriranpowo---!! / Afrirampo
15. Freedom Train / Hawaiian6
16. People To People / Cokehead Hipsters
17. Dharma feat. Itō Seikō / DJ Baku
18. World Is Yours / Cubismo Grafico

ULTRA BRAiN/Traffic TRUB-1
Out 3/25, ¥2477 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

I didn't know that Iwamura Manabu released a 3rd album at the end of last year! This is actually a collection of songs written for fashion brand Anteprima. Included is a remix by m-flo's Taku Takahashi.

Iwamura Manabu "Woman"

1. Dot Color
2. In The Scene
3. Summer Carnival
4. A Journey in Time
5. Freak Out
6. Air
7. Deeper
8. Starlight Moonlight
9. Woman
10. Love Contrasts
11. Summer Carnival (Taku Takahashi Remix)

FICC FICCM-1001
Out 2008/11/22, ¥2286 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Scha Dara Parr are back this year with an 11th album (as says the title)! Featured are guests including Halcali, Kimura Kaela, bird, Tsukamoto Isao (Sly Mongoose), Robochū (Dassen 3) and more.

A limited edition includes a bonus DVD with the video clip for "Hey! Hey! Alright" feat. Kimura Kaela, and "Lights Camera Action", plus a special mix of live footage.

Scha Dara Parr "11"

1. Stating 11
2. Antena of the Empire
3. Under the Sun
4. Station to Station feat. Robochū
5. Swing '75
6. Lights Camera Action
7. kowarekake no... feat. bird
8. ON AIR
9. Scha Dara Parr + Kimura Kaela / Hey! Hey! Alright
10. bekarazu
11. Good Old Future (Album version)

tearbridge records NFCD-27157
Out 3/25, ¥3334 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (18% off *), HMV (10% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

tearbridge records NFCD-27158
Out 3/25, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Perfume's first single of 2009 is coming very soon! As always this is written and produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule), said to be the producer most in demand in Japan right now.

The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD.

Audio sample at Tower Records

Perfume "One Room Disco"
パフューム 「ワンルーム ディスコ」

1. One Room Disco
2. 23:30
3. One Room Disco (Original Instrumental)
4. 23:30 (Original Instrumental)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Tokuma TKCA-73430
Out 3/25, ¥1239 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (15% off *), HMV, YesAsia, Amazon U.S.
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition
Tokuma TKCA-73435
Out 3/25, ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

This 3rd album of Cornelius' remix works focuses on the part of his career between and around the albums "Point" and "Sensuous".

Also released at the same time is a 2-DVD set of a live show plus TV footage, "Ultimate Sensuous Synchronized Show".

Cornelius "CM3"

(Title / Artist)
1. chronograph / Sketch Show
2. I'd Rather Dance With You / Kings of Convenience
3. Banquet / Bloc Party
4. You Feel Right / If By Yes
5. Twilight / Denki Groove X Scha Dara Parr
6. Universal Speech / The Go! Team
7. Call Me Super Bad / James Brown
8. Everything Needs Love / Mondo Grosso
9. War&Peace / Sakamoto Ryūichi
10. ONE / Crystal Kay
11. ekot / Sketch Show

Warner WPCL-10658
Out 3/11 4/1 4/22 5/13, ¥2520
Order: Amazon, Tower, YesAsia, CDJapan

This 2-DVD set containing The Cornelius Group's "Ultimate Sensuous Synchronized Show" held at the Tokyo International Forum a year ago (March 30, 2008) part of the tour for album "Sensuous". The 2nd disc contains some rare Cornelius documentaries and live footage taped for TV.

At the same time is released a 3rd compilation of Cornelius' remix works, "CM3".

Cornelius "Ultimate Sensuous Synchronized Show" (DVD)
(Region 2? / 1.78:1 / 2 discs / 197 min.)

Disc 1
1. Breezin'
2. Wataridori
3. Gum
4. Toner
5. Smoke
6. Tone Twilight Zone
7. Drop
8. Point Of View Point
9. Count Five Or Six
10. I Hate Hate
11. Scum
12. Omstart
13. Beep It
14. Monkey
15. Star Fruits Surf Rider
16. Fit Song
17. Like a Rolling Stone
18. Music
19. Sensuous
20. Eyes
21. E
22. Sleep Warm

Disc 2
1. Nakameguro TV (Cornelius dai1kai shinkyoku hirōen) from Space Shower TV
2. Yo Gabba Gabba!
3. Geo Sessions
4. Nakameguro TV (Cornelius World Tour 2006-2008) from NHK

Warner WPBL-90122
Out 3/11 4/1 4/22 5/13, ¥5900
Order: Amazon (26% off on pre-orders), HMV (21% off on pre-orders), Tower, YesAsia, CDJapan

A new single from Polysics (MySpace! "Shout Aloud!" is a track said to be aiming in a new direction with a live band sound, while "Beat Flash" is more like Polysics' early sound. This is produced by Aida Shigekazu (El-Malo).

Polysics "Shout Aloud! / Beat Flash"

1. Shout Aloud!
2. Beat Flash
3. United

Ki/oon KSCL-1358
Out 3/11, ¥1165 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Cornelius made the music for this movie called "kimagure Robot" that's now out on DVD and comes in a special package containing the soundtrack CD.

"kimagure Robot" ("The Capricious Robot") is a 40-minute short film in black & white, about a man living with a robot, that's a cheap-looking one that should satisfy B-movie lovers! Still, the film features some of Japan's top-rank actors, such as Odagiri Joe in the main role, and other guests such as Natsuki Mari. This movie was first available only for download on mobile phones.

The CD contains 7 songs by Cornelius, and the DVD also contains as bonuses his video for song "Omstart" and the short feature "Eye".

"kimagure Robot" (DVD+CD)
「きまぐれロボット」
(Region 2 / B&W / Widescreen 1.37:1 / 40 min.)

Warner WPZJ-90001
Out now (2/25), ¥4800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (26% off *), HMV, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing