Tokyo's Coolest Sound

A first DVD from Aira Mitsuki (MySpace), of a show recorded at Liquid Room just 2 months before release! With 19 songs, 5 different costumes, this was a really great show! Read my report of the show. You bet that I've already pre-ordered my copy of this!

The guy on the jacket is said to be Aira's real dad, with an added Hello Kitty touch.

At the same time is released a new single titled "BARBiE BARBiE".

Aira Mitsuki "Aira Mitsuki Special Live '090319' in LIQUIDROOM" (DVD)

1. Robot Honey
2. Sazae Funkadelic
3. Knee-high Girl
4. China Discotica
5. L0ne1yBoy L0ne1yGirl
6. sayonara Technopolis
7. Cosmic Chopper
8. High SD Sneaker
9. Heart Line Alive
10. distant Stars
11. ~MC~
12. Rock'n Roll Is Dead
13. Swallowtail D.A.N.C.E (Cherryboy Function ver.)
14. Beep Count Fantastic (feat. Terukado)
15. Valentine STEP
16. High Bash (Original ver.)
17. Fantasy Candy
18. Yellow Supercar
19. Colorful Tokyo Sounds No.9
20. Robot Honey (Sound Around rmx)

D-topia Entertainment VUBD-101
Out 5/2, ¥3791 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (26% off *), HMV (21% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Digest promotional clip:

A new single coming from Aira Mitsuki (MySpace), and this time Canadian electronic artist I am Robot and Proud (MySpace) is said to be contributing a remix! The jacket and video (below) shows her wearing a blonde wig to fit the title track's Barbie theme.

At the same time is released the live DVD "Aira Mitsuki Special Live '090319' in LIQUIDROOM". A 2nd album is expected later this year.

Audio samples of all songs at MySpace.

Aira Mitsuki "BARBiE BARBiE"

1. BARBiE BARBiE
2. Change My Will
3. Freedom Star
4. Happiness land (I Am Robot and Proud ver.)
5. Freedom Star (TOKYO F*NKadeLiKKK rmx)
6. Change My Will (Modular Modular rmx)
7. BARBiE BARBiE (digital mp-3 mastering ver.)
8. Change My Will (digital mp-3 mastering ver.)
9. Freedom Star (digital mp-3 mastering ver.)

D-topia Entertainment VUCD-35005
Out 5/2, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Here's a 2nd album by 8bit Project, the unit of Itō Toshiharu (ex-Mansfield), Matsutake Hideki (Logic System, and also the said "4th member of YMO") and Saitō Hisahi (of YMO homage band Y Setsu O).

Like their first album "Familiar Computer World" this brings us a bunch of Famicom-style covers of popular songs, this time taking at Perfume, Michael Jackson, "Stairway To Heaven", YMO, Juicy Fruits, also theme songs from Sazae-san, Ghibli films, Indiana Jones, and many more. The artwork features the world's first arcade game "Computer Space".

Audio samples at Tower Records

8bit Project "Spicy Innovator VS Superior Marionette"

1. Polyrhythm / Chocolate Disco / Baby Cruising Love / Love The World
2. Bad / Beat It / Thriller
3. "Sazae-san" Ending Theme "Sazae-san ikka"
4. tada... aitakute / Together / Choo Choo Train
5. Yatta Man no uta / tensai doronbo-
6. Prisoner Of Love / Beautiful World / Flavor Of Life / boku wa kuma
7. Hello, Sofmap World / Yodobashi Camera no uta / Ishimaru Denki no uta / Satoh Musen CM Song
8. tsubomi
9. umi no mieru machi "majo no takkyūbin" yori / kimi o nosete "tenkū no shiro Laputa" yori / gake no ue no Ponyo "gake no ue no Ponyo" yori
10. Miss Brand-New Day / I Am Your Singer / kibō no wadachi
11. "kiretetsu daihyakka" Ending "hajimete no chū"
12. Can't Undo This!! / James Brown Is Dead / Anasthasia
13. Jenny wa gokigen naname
14. Viva La Vida
15. taiyō ni hoero! Main Theme / ji-pan keiji no Theme / Action / denpa no Theme / ai no Theme / otokotachi no ashita / yokokuhen
16. 2001 A Space Odyssey "Also sprach Zarathustra"
17. "Indiana Jones" series "Raiders March"
18. 70nendai chūki Pla-model TV-CM "Robodacchi CM Song (Imai Version)"
19. Stairway To Heaven
20. Computer Game "Invader no Theme"
21. Tong Poo / La Femme Chinoise / Firecracker

Joint Records XECJ-1003
Out 4/29, ¥2143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

From Crue-L's Classics Series comes this 2-track limited CD EP containing a new remix by Joaquin Joe Claussell as well as the original. Sung by Hatakeyama Miyuki (Port of Notes), this great cover of T.S. Monk's disco track was first released on "Crue-L Grand Orchestra II" (1998) .

Hear the T.S. Monk original at YouTube.

Crue-L Classics Series
Crue-L Grand Orchestra feat. Hatakeyama Miyuki & DJ Harvey "Candidate for Love (Joe Claussell Remix Short Edit)"

1.Candidate For Love (The Cosmic Arts Remixes Short Edit by Joaquin Joe Claussell)
2.Candidate For Love (Original)

Crue-L CLCLD-1212
Out 5/26, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Described as modern electronic folk, this is the new unit of Crue-L fame producer Kanda Tomoki. This first album features on all songs vocals by Kobayashi Miyako, for who Kanda Tomoki had produced the beautiful album "Lullabye" (1998).

The song "Secret" can be heard in a different version on the Crue-L compilation "The Future Is Yours", under the unit name MKT&K.

Songs To The Siren "Night On The Planet"

1. Secret
2. In Neon
3. Grow
4. At That Casino
5. Forget Me
6. Don't Pull Out On Me Yes
7. Leader Of The Pack
8. Girlfriends On This Street
9. On Fire

Crue-L KYTHMAK-129DA
Out 5/29, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (more later)

Cosmetics is a new 3-girl idol unit produced by Rocketman (aka Fukawa Ryō). Their first song "Love Is All" was first released for download on mobile phone only in December, but it's now finally available on iTunes Japan! The song has already made it to the 2nd position on the dance music chart.

Cosmetics "Love Is All" (Download)

Out now (4/15)
Buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

This new compilation of Avex' House Nation series includes two Fantastic Plastic Machine appearances: a ravex track and also a remix he did of The BPA (aka Norman Cook) feat. Iggy Pop. Also included is a version of Ayuse Kozue's cover of "Mickey Mouse Club March", and much more of Japan's current house scene.

An identical limited edition comes with a ¥1000 discount ticket for the Japan tour that will follow the release.

Various Artists "House Nation - Ruby"

(Title / Artist)
1. Viva La Vida (House Nation Mix) / DJ Omkt
2. Fly away (House Nation Remix) / Sweet Black feat. Goto Maki
3. Wonderful World / Sketch
4. Sparkle Love / Yummy feat. Luciana
5. Dream On (Wez Clarke Remix) / Christian Falk feat. Robyn
6. Mickey Mouse Club March [The Mickey Mouse Club] (House Nation Re-Edit) / Ayuse Kozue
7. Natural High (Dave Boynes Remix) / Michael Woods feat. Inaya Day
8. Come Over (Caramel Pod Club Mix) / Koda Kumi
9. I Don't Know Why (Jerome D'isma-Ae Remix) / Moony
10. Believe in LOVE feat. BoA (GTS Remix) / ravex
11. Superstar- Show Me Your Intention (Dagaard & Morane Remix) / Novy vs. Eniac
12. Treadstone / The Shapeshifters
13. Scared Of Me (Extended) / Fedde Le Grand feat. Mitch
14. My Egyptian Lover (Extended Club Mix) / Nadia Oh
15. Blue Monday (Vandalism Remix) / Kurd Maverick
16. He's Frank [Slight Return] ("Live In Tokyo 1978" Mix) / The BPA feat. Iggy Pop
17. Reincarnation (Extended Version) / Suzuki Ami
18. 7 Things (Daishi Dance Remix) / Miley Cyrus
19. Sunshine In The Rain (Daishi Dance Remix) / BWO
20. You Can Give (Mitomi Tokoto Big Room House Nation Edit) / Mitomi Tokoto presents ANJE
21. When We're Together (Extended) / Morjac & Fred Falke feat. Sarah Tyler
22. I'm In Love With A German Filmstar (Original Radio Edit) / Sam Taylor-Wood

(Limited edition with discount ticket)
avex trax AVCD-23836
Out now (4/8), ¥2427 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV

(Regular edition)
avex trax AVCD-23837
Out now (4/8), ¥2427 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Here's a new 12" by S-KLAPP (MySpace), the recent electro-pop unit of Tanaka Tomonao (novaFASE, Temorela). This contains two covers, of M's "Pop Musik" and Donna Lewis' "I Love You Always Forever" plus remixes, for a total of 5 tracks. Out now on the new Monotone Label (MySpace) that seems to be a sub-label of Orange Records, these tracks all have yet to be released on CD.

Audio samples at Jet Set

S-KLAPP "I Love You Always Forever / Pop Muzik" (12")

A1. I Love You Always Forever (More Sequential Version)
A2. I Love You Always Forever (12inch Extended)
B1. Pop Muzik (Funnyboy Remix) Remix by Funnyboy
B2. Pop Muzik (It.Makes.Me.Cool Remix) Remix by D.O.K.I
B3. Pop Muzik (Re-Groove Version)

Monotone Label MNT-001
Out now (4/4), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Here comes a DVD of the live shows that Perfume gave at Tokyo's large venue Nippon Budokan over two days last year (November 6 and 7, 2008).

Perfume "Perfume 'BUDOUKaaaaaaaaaaN!!!!!'" (DVD)
(Region 2 / NTSC)

Disc 1
1. Computer City
2. edge
3. Electro World
4. plastic smile
5. love the world
6. Macaroni
7. Baby cruising Love
8. Take me Take me
9. GAME
10. Secret Secret
11. Perfect Star Perfect Style
12. Ceramic Girl
13. Jenny wa gokigen naname
14. Chocolate Disco
15. Polyrhythm
16. Puppy love
Encore
17. Dream Fighter
18. Perfume
19. wonder2

Disc 2
1. TOKUTeeeeeeeeeeN!!!!!
2. Butterfly BUDOUKaaaaaaaaaaN!!!!! ver.

Tokuma Japan TKBA-1126
Out 4/22, ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (34% off *), HMV (30% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Kaji Hideki (MySpace) has a new EP coming up! This includes 3 new songs plus a song from the movie "Detroit Metal City". Featured musicians include Horie Horhisa (pupa, Neil & Iraiza) and Hidaka Toru (Beat Crusaders).

Kaji Hideki "Blue Boys Don't Cry e.p."
カジヒデキ 「Blue Boys Don't Cry e.p.」

1. Passion Fruits
2. The Sweetest Love
3. Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
4. Sally My Love

felicity PECF-1012
Out 5/2, ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV

Konishi Yasuharu contributes a newly written song to this solo mini-album by Mizuno Mari (paris match (MySpace)), who was featured last year on "uta to Guitar. Piano. kotoba." from columbia*readymade. His song here is titled "kekkon shiyō yo." ("Let's get married.").

Other featured songwriters include Tsutsumi Kyōhei, Tomita Keiichi, Katayose Akito (Chocolat & Akito, Great3), Horigome Takaki (Kirinji), Nishidera Gōta.

Audio samples at HMV

Mizuno Mari "mariage"
ミズノマリ 「mariage」

1. haru no arashi
2. koi o suru
3. kanashii koto janai
4. Pink no toiki
5. kizetsu suru hodo, Luxury
6. Welcome!
7. kekkon shiyō yo.

Amuse Soft Entertainment ASCM-6045
Out 4/29, ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV,

Vibraphone club-jazz band the fascinations are back with a new album, following "quiet dance" (2007) that reached #1 on Japanese jazz charts. This includes covers of John Patton's "Latona", Horace Silver's "Mexican Hip Dance" and "The St. Vitus Dance", and much more.

(Watch the YouTube clip below of a live session with members of Jabberloop. The song is "Fascinated Groove" of which a version can be heard on album "color code" (2006).)

the fascinations "latona"

1. latona
2. the st. vitus dance
3. y funk
4. mexican hip dance
5. mellow dancer
6. beyond the moon
7. speedball
8. the dirt
9. 'round about midnight feat. kurofune lady

high contrast recordings HCCD-9528
Out 4/15, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

Tokyo jazz quartet quasimode (MySpace) has a collection of remix works out just now. This includes ones for akiko and Agawa Yasuko, the latter which was released on remix album "Re-Mode" (2007) produced by Sunaga Tatsuo. Some brand new recordings are also included.

Some audio samples on official release page and at MySpace

quasimode "Golden Works -remixed by quasimode-"

(Track / Artist)
1. Take the New Frontiers (Full Length Vocal Version) / quasimode feat. Valerie Etienne
2. Love Theme From 'Spartacus' (quasimode Remix) / akiko
3. Love Is Everywhere (quasimode Remix) / Masa Collective feat. Valerie Etienne & Rob Gallagher
4. Just Relax (quasimode Remix) / Noah feat. Blu
5. Tonight the Night (quasimode Remix) / Markus Enochson with Jocelyn Mathiue
6. Tune Up (quasimode Remix) / Idea 6
7. In My Mind Of Eye / quasimode feat. Dwight Trible
8. In The Name Of Love / quasimode
9. New York Afternoon (quasimode Remix) / Agawa Yasuko
10. Sounds of Peace (Trumpet Version) / quasimode

Geneon GNCL-1200
Out now (4/8), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV

Previously released as a HMV-only cheap-priced single CD, this new single from Fujisawa Shiho's great 2nd album "Funky Girl" is now available on vinyl for the DJs. This electro-pop track features vocals by singer Okada Kyōko, and included is a remix by A-bee.

Audio samples at Jet Set and in the YouTube clip below.

Fujisawa Shiho "You Are My Sunshine" (12")
藤澤志保 「You Are My Sunshine」

A. You Are My Sunshine
B. You Are My Sunshine (A-bee remix)

Eat Records ER-0018
Out now (3/27), ¥1296 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Here's a full-length album by ravex, the all-star producer unit of Fantastic Plastic Machine, Ōsawa Shinichi and Taku Takahashi (m-flo). This special unit celebrates the 20th anniversary of Avex, and the 80th anniversary of birth of Tezuka Osamu, and the album features a bunch of Avex' superstars.

ravex "trax"

CD
1. I RAVE U (Original)
2. ROCK U feat. Amuro Namie
3. Just the Two of Us feat. Tōhō Shinki
4. HOUSE NATION feat. LISA
5. Bangalicious feat. Tsuchiya Anna
6. Believe in LOVE feat. BoA
7. NEW Excentric Girl feat. Chisa (GIRL NEXT DOOR)
8. Golden LUV feat. Gotō Maki
9. V.I.P.P. (Very Important Party People) feat. TRF & VERBAL (m-flo)
10. 1 more night feat. MONKEY MAJIK
11. warui ko mitsuketa. feat. Andō Yūko
12. I RAVE U feat. DJ OZMA

DVD
1. ravex in TEZUKA WORLD (original animation)
2. Believe in LOVE feat. BoA (music video)
3. I RAVE U feat.DJ OZMA (music video)
4. Mega ravex (ravex in TEZUKA WORLD snippets)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
avex trax AVCD-23790
Out 4/29, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (18% off *), HMV (15% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
avex trax AVCD-23791
Out 4/29, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

The latest from Orange Records is a new techno-pop idol unit from Osaka called Chupi*Chupi. Nothing more to say, check out audio samples at Orange Records' MySpace, and also the live YouTube clip below.

This album features a narration appearance by Hozan Munemyōō (ex-Modern Choki Chokies) and a remix by Groove Unchant. A track was featured on the recent mix CD by Groove Unchant, "A Mature Hour".

Chupi*Chupi "I.P.999"

1. Altair dai4 wakusei no gyakushū (Revenge of the Altair 4)
2. haikei, Risa-chan
3. yume wa Chupi*Chupi
4. futari no Bossa Nova
5. souda, chikyū wa mawatteirunda!
6. minnai Love Love Highway
7. Let's Go ~ikeike Beam~
8. kyukyukyun!
9. yume wa Chupi*Chupi (oni soto fuku uchi Mix) (Remixed by Groove Unchant)
10. Altair dai4 wakusei no gyakushū (otaku Remix) (Remixed by Taku Hachirō (DJ Mekayakuza)
11. tokimeki Tonight

Orange Records ORGR-033
Out now (3/25), ¥1900 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV

This compilation titled "14 Girls' Life" has a concept of featuring female vocalists from different genres, from electronica to post-rock, jazz and future-pop. I'm delighted to see favorite future-pop artists such as Iguchi Miho (Aprils), Yuppa (Hazel Nuts Chocolate) and EeL, featured alongside friend midori hirano (MySpace).

Audio samples at official release page

Various Artists "14 Girls' Life"

1. Slowly / Ayako Akashiba (Guitar)
2. Triangle / midori hirano
3. Let Me See / rurarakiss
4. Keep Making Fun Of Me feat. Ōtani Yoshio / EeL
5. Sleepwalker / Anna Yamada (Comainu)
6. Apple (english version) / Yuki Takahashi (Paradigm)
7. Fine feat. Mr.Plamo a.k.a. yim / Yuppa (Hazel Nuts Chocolate)
8. Fonceca / Fukatani Aya (Remigai)
9. Don't Wanna Fall In Love / Iguchi Miho (Aprils)
10. Cocoon feat. Paradigm / choco (Spaghetti Vabune!)
11. Lion feat. Serph / Yoshida Ami (Astro Twin, Cosmos)
12. Kyoto, Osaka, Inagi / Noriko Taguchi (Harp On Mouth Sextet)
13. Murder Case feat.World's End Girlfriend / suzueri
14. Shiny Diamond / Yukina

elegantdisc ELECD-08
Out 4/4, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV